Rekindled Embers

by applezombi


Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Official notice of Banishment, delivered to Ambassador Regal Red of the Knights Jubilant, from the Jubilation City Council

Official notice is hereby given that the Diarchy Knights

Sir Brightblade

And

Lady Mercy Song

Are hereby banished from Jubilation, for the crimes of bribery of a public official, assaulting officers of the peace, and shedding blood unprovoked within the Treaty Hall.  They have a time period of two days to finish any remaining affairs they have in the city, and then leave.  If they are found in the city limits at any time beyond this grace period, they will be arrested and punished accordingly.

This banishment shall last for a period of five years, at which point the Knights in question may return.

A copy of the notice, sent to Grand Master Steadfast Word of the Knights Mystic, has the following hoof-written note.

Brightblade is out of control.  I could barely stop him from killing Emberglow and you-know-who.  He’s a wild dog and you need to put him in a cage, or on a better leash than me.

 

1113 AF, Jubilation

             Given how things had been going recently, Lofty was, in fact, quite surprised at how easily they’d gotten out of the cell beneath the Treaty Hall.

             At first, the soldiers had been eager to take them all into custody, of course.  That was until both of the guards, the wounded one and their escort, had provided their eyewitness accounts that Topaz and their party had only defended themselves, and the zebra soldiers, against Brightblade’s violence.  Lofty could see their eyes light up with respect as the guards described how he had tried to defend them, as well as his own ponies.

             After that it was a simple matter of passing his gauntlet over to Emberglow, so she could heal all of their wounds.

             “This is not how I saw our reunion going,” he said to her with a smirk.  She looked at him and smiled, but it was a pale, dead thing, and he shuddered when he saw the hurt there.  He helped her put the gauntlet on, and she immediately went to Rarity’s side.

             “I’m fine, darling.  I just need to rest for a—”

             “Stop talking,” Emberglow said.  There was a clear order in her tone, something Lofty had never heard before.  “I’m going to heal you.  Hold still.”

             Rarity’s wound was deep, and the slowly oozing crimson provided a stark contrast to her pristine fur.  Emberglow’s gauntlet flashed in a complex set of runes, almost too fast for him to see.  Rarity’s bleeding stopped.

             “I’ve stopped the bleeding.  You’re in no danger, but there’s not enough motes in the battery to heal you all the way.  Stay down.”

             She moved next to Lofty, and there was a fire in her eyes that silenced the protest he was about to voice.  She cast a spell on him, and he felt the uncomfortable tingle of his own wounds knitting.  The pain in his head from when Brightblade had knocked him to the floor faded as well, from an oppressive pounding to a dull thud.  She moved to the wounded zebra next, who shied away from her at first.

             “Don’t worry, Sayyid,” another guard said.  “I’ve seen Knight healing before.  Had a gut shot patched up by one of their brothers, once, out in the field.  It’ll feel weird, but it’ll fix ya.”

             The zebra relaxed, and Emberglow bent over him to work.  “Nothing too serious, but it’ll let you get on your hooves,” she said.  Lofty watched as his wounds knit and healed.  “I’d still like some bandages, if one of you can…”  Suddenly the commanding tone was gone, and she glanced about at the zebras, ostensibly her captors, though none of them seemed in a particular hurry to lock her back up again.  Especially since the door to her cell was destroyed.

             “I’ve sent a zebra for first aid supplies,” the zebra sergeant who had led his troops into the holding cells said, and Emberglow nodded, before continuing to do what first aid she could on the ponies who had been wounded.

             In particular, though, Lofty noted the way her eyes kept darting back to Rarity, the way she checked up on the resting unicorn every few moments, and even the way Emberglow’s hooves shook just a little as she touched the other mare.  As if she were constantly reassuring herself of Rarity’s presence. 

He smiled a little, his curiosity piqued.  So Emberglow and Rarity, hm?  He’d have to ask Emberglow a little about it later, when things were more settled.  It was very much like the way Topaz was fussing over him, right now.

             “What happens now?” Topaz asked him amidst the furor of the guards moving about.

             “I don’t know,” he said.  “But I think we’ve at least impressed these zebras.”

             They didn’t have long to wait before a trio of zebra medics trailed in, followed by a pair of crystal ponies.  The medics got to work going over the injuries of the guard, making appreciative noises at the effects of Emberglow’s spells.  The crystal ponies, however, approached Topaz.

             “Good evening, your grace,” the older of the two, a stallion with a greying sapphire mane and a dignified face decorated with a thin moustache and goatee.  “I am Stone Writ, and this is my partner, Hematite.  I’m sorry to see your party came to misfortune during your visit to the Treaty Hall, but it may have worked in our favor.  The prisoners are to be moved out of custody to the hospital, and then into our care.”

             “We have arranged for a ship.” Hematite, the younger of the two, had a slicked back dark grey mane and an eager, ready smile.  “The arguments were taking quite a while.  The Diarchy ambassador was providing a very convincing argument, and these Discordant have a few enemies on the City Council.  Fortunately, news arrived of your assault, and things shifted for us.”

             “It is possible I informed the Jubilation government of your noble title, and implied some of the consequences that may come as a result of your coming under assault by Diarchy forces within the grounds of the Treaty Hall itself.  Even the Diarchy’s allies among the council members were struck silent by the gravity of what had happened.”  Stone Writ gave a small smile of his own.  “I believe they will lose much political ground today, due to this.”

             “Thank you both,” Topaz said.  “I’m sorry we didn’t come see you right away.  But I had to see my patient.  You understand.”

             “Of course, your grace,” Stone Writ said, bowing.  “I do wish you’d been more careful.  You could have come to injury.”

             “You’re right.  Perhaps I was overconfident.”  She reached over and hugged Lofty with one hoof, kissing him gently on the cheek as she made sure not to squeeze any of his wounds.  “I might have to see about my stallionfriend teaching me to defend myself.”

             “Any time, love,” Lofty whispered.

             “Ah yes.  I had heard that the duchess had taken a paramour,” Stone Writ said.  “Lofty Tale, it is a pleasure.  Now, please, allow the medics to look over your wounds, and we will see about hurrying our escort to the hospital.  I have been made aware that Escher, of the Royal Guard, and Agent Mahogany of the Intelligence Service have seen to the packing of your things and to the well-being of your son.  They shall be on the ship when we arrive.  Your son, I am told, was quite excited to be going…” he cleared his throat to hide a chuckle “… onna big ship ‘gain.”  He restored his expression to a professional mien.  “The prisoner Heartwing has also already been transferred on board Pearl Shimmer.”

             “How did you arrange things so quickly?” Topaz gasped, impressed.

             “Your grace,” Stone Writ’s smile widened smugly.  “Some ponies have a talent for making others smile.”  Topaz blushed.  “Others have a talent for being a hero, or for healing.”  He glanced at Emberglow.  “Me?  I have a talent for logistics and bureaucracy.  It is not boasting when I say I was born for this, and I take a great deal of pride at what I do.”

             “Well, you should.” Topaz gave him a grin.  “C’mon, Lofty.  Let’s get you cleared by the medic.”

             It was, after Emberglow’s triage healing, a bit of a formality.  Most of his wounds were minor, though the medic was concerned about a possible concussion.  They were cleared to at least head to a hospital, however, though the guards apologetically insisted on putting shackles on Emberglow and Terminus.

             Terminus agreed without argument, but Emberglow froze.  Lofty saw something in her eyes, the panicked sort of look of a small animal that had just been caught in a bright light.  As the guard approached her slowly, shackles in hoof, she began to shake and tremble, her wings twitching.

             “Woah, woah, hang on a second,” Topaz said as she rushed over.  “Emberglow, calm down.  Please take a deep breath.”  She turned to the sergeant.  “Officer, my patient here is suffering from a traumatic stress disorder as a result of sustained and brutal torture, both mental and physical.  The last time she was put in shackles was probably at the hooves of the very stallion we chased out of here earlier.  Isn’t there any way we can transport her without re-victimizing her again?”

             “Would it help,” Stone Writ began, “If you had the personal oath and assurance of a member of the Crystal Empire royal family vouching for her good behavior?”

             The sergeant looked back and forth between them, and sighed, signalling for his zebra to stand down.

             “I give you my word, sir, that Emberglow here will be on her best behavior.” Topaz moved up beside her, so their barrels were practically touching.  She looped a hoof around the taller mare, while murmuring soothing words into her ear.  “I swear it as a d-duchess of the Crystal Empire.”  It sounded awkward, but it seemed to be enough for the sergeant, who nodded. 

             The procession to the hospital was tense.  Emberglow was quiet, as was Rarity, who would barely leave Emberglow’s side.  Terminus’ shackles clinked with every step, but he seemed to take it all with quiet dignity.  Seeing as how his old friend seemed to be in good hooves with Topaz, Lofty moved up beside Terminus for the trip.  Both ponies ignored the curious zebras and other creatures stopping their business to stare at the erstwhile prisoners and their escort.

             “This is… not exactly how I thought we’d meet the first time,” he said, and Terminus huffed with amusement.  “It actually started more like this.  Hi.  I’m Lofty Tale.”

             “Terminus Flash,” Terminus replied with a smile.  “I’d offer to shake your hoof, but I’m a little tied up at the moment.”

             “Right,” Lofty laughed along, before lowering his voice.  “I don’t know everything that happened.  I’ve only heard part of it, with all the craziness that’s been going on, between Heartwing turning himself in to the Empire—”

             “Heartwing did what?” Terminus hissed, his wings shaking and fighting against the restraints that bound them to his barrel.  “He couldn't.  That utter idiot!  The princess hates him, why would he even consider it?”

             “Why do you think?” Lofty said gently.  The fire in Terminus’ eyes died down a little, and he gulped.  “He’s devoted to you.  I don’t even think he stopped to consider the consequences to himself.”

             “I always wanted his full devotion,” Terminus muttered angrily.  “But not like this.”  It seemed like something he was saying more to himself than Lofty, so he chose to ignore it. 

             “I don’t think you should worry.  He’s made some sort of arrangement with the ambassador.  Besides, Princess Flurry Heart seems reasonable.  I’m sure she knows by now that Heartwing is one of us; an Element of Harmony.”  Lofty patted Terminus on the back.  “I wouldn’t be concerned.  We’ll have you out of your shackles and into your s-stallionfriend’s hooves as soon as possible.”

             He hesitated for only a second on the term.  He’d known about Emberglow’s homosexuality for years, and it still made him a little uncomfortable to think about.  But that was the past, and he was going to put it behind him.  However long it took.

             “Y-yeah,” Terminus whispered, his worry clear.

             “So, we didn’t get to it earlier, but what did happen when you two got arrested?”

             “We were lured into a trap and betrayed,” Terminus growled.  He recounted the story of Yazid telling them about Chip, about finding the corpse of the Knight Discordant, and how Brightblade and the zebra soldiers had cornered them.

             “Emberglow… became violent.” Terminus’ voice had dropped to a mere breath.  He tried to reach up, but his shackles rattled and held his hoof down.  Instead, he dipped his head, where Lofty could just see swelling and bruising around his right eye.  “This didn’t come from the fight, or one of the soldiers.  I tried to hold her back from attacking Brightblade.  We were trapped anyways, and I could tell he was looking for an excuse to hurt her.”  Terminus shot a glance to where Emberglow walked, between Topaz and Rarity, looking as if she could tumble over at any moment.  “She was enraged.  I don’t know what happened, but I think it was because he was the one who tortured her before.”  Terminus’ voice became a snarl.  “I’m going to remember the look of glee on his face when he assaulted her for the rest of my life, Lofty.”

             “Makes me sad I didn’t get to hurt him more,” Lofty muttered, and Terminus nodded his agreement.  “We can’t give him another chance to touch her.”  They shared a look then, a moment of camaraderie that Lofty had missed dearly since he’d been expelled.  

*   *   *   *   *

             The zebra hospital was both like and unlike the ones Lofty was familiar with back in New Canterlot City.  On the one hoof, there were the same assessments and tests he expected from any hospital.  But instead of the magical healing of runes and rune gauntlets, all of the exams came with potions.  Zebra magic, as he remembered from his time years ago at the Ivy Seminary, came mostly from alchemy.  Each of the wounded was given a salve or a small bottle of odd-smelling liquid, and the zebra doctors waited imperiously while the ponies in question drank their literal medicine.  Even Lofty was required to sip on a small bottle, slowly, one half-mouthful at a time, as a precaution against the concussion they suspected him of having.  It tasted a little like parsley and chives, and it made his tongue and forehead feel cool, but other than that there was no real discomfort.  He found that he actually preferred it to rune healing, though he’d never admit as much to Emberglow.

             Emberglow was treated for a dozen or so bruises she’d received from Brightblade during her arrest (though she still was saying next to nothing, which worried him).  The wounded soldiers all had their cuts tended to, while Rarity had a salve smeared liberally onto her wound (to prevent scarring, the doctors promised) before they stitched it closed and bandaged her around the barrel.

             “I do have to ask, has somepony gone back to Golden Willow’s home to collect our belongings?  I wouldn’t mind doing so myself, if only to check on poor Chip,” Rarity said. 

             “Heartwing informed us of the need, yes,” Stone Writ said.  

Lofty flinched.  He’d heard from his grandfather, before the old stallion had been killed in the raid, about the horrible, slow, diminishing death that struck those poor unicorns who had their horns removed.  He was still getting used to talking to them.  It helped that Rarity seemed so real; not like her larger-than-life scripture self he’d read about since he was a foal.  He hoped to get more time to speak with her, but he also figured he should keep his distance until she approached.  He carried her old Element, after all, and she might be a little sensitive about that still.

             After a tense hour in the hospital (where Lofty worried constantly about some sort of last-second legal maneuver from the Diarchy ponies), they finally were cleared to proceed to the port.  They made an odd sort of procession: two prisoners, but only one shackled.  Zebra guards there to keep the prisoners from causing mayhem, perhaps, but also there to protect them. 

             “Even after all that’s happened, I’m rather sad to be leaving,” Rarity spoke up.  Several of their party, including Lofty himself, stared at her.  “What?  This town has so much potential, so much beauty and mystery.  It makes me sad that we experienced so much tragedy here, when I’m sure it has much more to offer us.”

             “You will have to return, in more peaceful times,” one of the zebra guards said, and Rarity smiled at him.

             “There is something romantic about it, isn’t there?” Topaz added.  Lofty couldn’t help himself; he looked out towards the harbor, where the sun was setting, shooting its rays across the city and coloring the eastern sides of the usually white stucco bright orange.  Their shadows stretched long behind them, and Lofty thought he could hear, far in the distance, sounds of music and laughter.  They were probably close to one of the markets he’d heard about.

             “I would like to come back some day,” he said to Topaz, who turned back from her steadfast position at Emberglow’s side to smile at him.  “Seems like a good place for a date.”

             “It is,” Terminus said, and now everypony stared at him.  He tried to ruffle his feathers proudly, but only managed to shift his restraints around.  “I… may have asked Heartwing out on our first date, when he came to the city to bring me home after my training here.  I’m amazed he said yes.  I was only nineteen… he was just a little out of my age range.”

             Rarity snorted in amusement, and Lofty cocked his head to the side in confusion.  He’d heard some crazy things about Heartwing already, but just how old was he?

             They reached the docks without incident.  Lofty was taken aback by the sounds and the smells; even at sundown, the place was bustling.  Smaller vessels were darting in and out of the harbor, piled high with fish.  He’d heard some zebras were pescatarians, but that there were enough to have an entire industry was surprising.  There were also merchant vessels, their dockhooves still hard at work moving about heavy crates of goods, piling them onto wide, flat carts hitched to teams of zebras.

             Tied to one of the longer piers was a gorgeous three-masted ship with orange and yellow sails, though Lofty had to squint to try and see if they were naturally that color, or just tinted by the sunset.  When he got closer, he got his answer. The ship’s figurehead was an intricate carving of a unicorn rampant; she was freshly painted to look like Sunset Shimmer, the supposed ‘Second Great Heretic’ of the Diarchy, and a pony Lofty had been tasked with learning more about.

             “Looks like the Crystal Empire has a very different view of Sunset Shimmer than we did,” he noted to Terminus, who nodded.

             When they reached the ship, the guard sergeant passed Stone Writ a folder full of papers.  “We surrender the prisoners Emberglow and Terminus Flash to your custody.  You may keep the restraints if you wish, for the transport of the prisoner.”

             “We will have no need,” Stone Writ replied.  “I’m sure the prisoners will behave themselves on board.  Please, remove them.”

             The zebras unlocked Terminus’ restraints, and he immediately spread his wings.  Lofty could see the muscles in his legs tensing, as if ready to spring into the air immediately.  Terminus held himself back, though, merely stretching his wings as he rubbed his hooves.  “Thank you,” he said.

             “Pearl Shimmer is a fast ship with very little room, but the quarters are comfortable.  You should be safe on board.  The captain wishes to leave first thing in the morning, so you will spend the night here.  The Diarchy would not be stupid enough to attack you.”

             “The Diarchy, maybe not.  But that Brightblade?” Terminus muttered, shaking his head.  “That pony was mad.”

             Lofty had faced him, and he had to agree.  Brightblade’s steely eyes had been a nightmare of obsession and zeal.  It had taken all his skill to hold him off, and in the first moment of distraction, Lofty had dropped his guard and gotten a mild concussion for his troubles.

             “I don’t think he will have the opportunity,” Stone Writ said.  “I would be surprised if the Knight who attacked you still walks free.  Even if he does, it may be days before he realizes where you all went.  Still, it may be prudent to post guard.  Now—”  he pointed at the gangplank that reached from the ship to the dock.  “—let’s go meet the captain.”

             Stone Writ knocked his hoof on the gangplank three times, loudly.  There were several sailors on board, and not all of them were ponies.  Though most of the crew glistened in the sun with the sparkly coats of the crystal ponies, there were a few other regular ponies as well, in addition to two bipedal canine creatures that Lofty recognized from his studies as Diamond Dogs.  The sailors all stopped what they were doing to glance over.  “I have brought your passengers.  Would somepony go fetch the captain, so that they may have his permission to board?”  One of the dogs waved a paw and rushed off towards a door in the quarter deck, knocking gently and whispering something to the door, before taking a step back.

             A few moments later, the quarter deck door exploded open, and a mountain of fur and horns blasted out and clattered onto the deck.  It was a creature unlike any Lofty had ever seen, or read about, and it stomped over to the gangplank.  Its voluminous mane draped thickly over its eyes, and two curved horns shot from either side of the furry mass, wrapped with gold bands studded with tiny gems.  It wore a broad tricorn hat.

             “Guests!” came the shout, in a distinctly masculine voice.  “Come aboard Pearl Shimmer, don’t be shy!  Captain Yancey welcomes you!  Your other friends are on board!”

             The volume was enough to make Lofty jump a bit, but the broad smile on the creature’s muzzle was inviting.  He stepped up onto the gangplank, followed by Topaz and Rarity, then Emberglow, who oddly enough didn’t use her wings.  Terminus just flew up on deck.

             “My son is on board?” Lofty asked, holding out a hoof for the captain to shake.  Instead of shaking it, the captain struck it with his own cloven hoof, hard enough to rattle Lofty’s bones.

             “Your son is the small one with your colors, just reversed?  Yes!  Captain Yancey likes the little one already!  He was full of questions about Captain Yancey and what Captain Yancey is!”  The captain laughed.  “Captain Yancey is a yak, if you were wondering.  Your son had never seen one, either.”

             “A yak?”  Lofty had never even heard of yaks, but now he wanted to.  There was something so cheerful and engaging about the (admittedly very loud) captain.  Lofty hoped he’d have a chance to learn more.

             “I knew several yaks, years ago,” Rarity said from behind him, stepping forward to hoof-bump the captain herself.  “They were all lovely creatures, so full of brightness and energy.  It’s so nice to meet another, Captain.  I am Rarity.”

             Each of the ponies took the time to introduce themselves, though Emberglow’s voice was barely above a whisper, and she shrank back as soon as the conversation was over.  Lofty noticed both Terminus and Topaz giving each other a knowing look.

             The captain gave them a quick tour of Pearl Shimmer, including the galley and their quarters.   When they reached the small, cramped cabin Lofty would be sharing with Topaz and True, his son was already in place, bouncing about in the hammock he would be staying in.

             “Daddy!” True squealed, tumbling out with a painful yelp onto the floor.  He rushed over.  “You got hurt?”

             “Just a little.  Had to stop the bad guys from hurting Miss Emberglow and a new friend.” He introduced True to Terminus.  A bit of the life even sparked back into Emberglow’s eyes when she saw the colt.

             They moved onto the next cabin, perhaps even a bit smaller than the first, which would be shared by Emberglow, Terminus, and Rarity.  Rarity cheered with delight when she saw that her luggage had all been moved on board, and immediately popped open the trunk and began digging around.

             “Rarity,” Terminus began carefully.  “Is this really the time…”

             “One moment, darling.  I had a bit of a magic moment in the Treaty Hall, there, and I’d like to see if Twilight has anything to say about it.”

             Lofty saw the look of resignation on Terminus’ face, and even noticed, for a split second, the wince of pain Emberglow gave.  He was about to ask, but something held him back.

             “Go on about your tour, don’t mind me.” Rarity waved a hoof, not looking up as she dug through her things.  “I’ll just be here, doing a little light research.”

             “It was impressive, the way your horn kinda went into overdrive like that,” Terminus said.  “But perhaps we should—”

             “Wouldn’t you like to check on Heartwing, Terminus darling?” Rarity asked, and Terminus sighed.  “Trust me, I’ll be fine on my own.”

             “If you’re sure,” Terminus sighed, and the rest of them moved on, Emberglow giving one last mournful look at the trunk’s contents being haphazardly sprayed about the room.  True darted out, jumping up on Topaz’ back with a giggle.  Topaz even made sure to add a little bounce to her step, much to the laughing foal’s delight.  Lofty made to follow, but for a brief instant he felt the brush of a bony hoof against his shoulder.

             “Rarity.  Lofty Tale.  I need help.  You said you would help.”

             Rarity had just finished fishing whatever it was she was looking for out of her chest: a small statuette that looked like Saint Twilight, only with a horn.  She stared at Starlight, who had suddenly appeared in the room.

             “Does she… do that often?” Rarity sounded unsettled.

             “Very often. It’s surprising, but sometimes very convenient,” Lofty said.  “She’s never been able to tell me where she goes, or how.”

             “Very well, darling,” Rarity gave the statuette a mournful glance, before setting it down on the cabin’s bunk.  “We’ll help you.  But remember, you promised you would not use the spell without asking me first.”

             “I remember,” Starlight said.  There was a reverence to how she said those words, caressing them with her voice.  “I promised.”

             “Very well.  Lofty, can you find Starlight’s journal?  I assume it’s with your things.”

             Lofty found his own saddlebags stashed in a cupboard underneath one of the bunks.  He pulled the journal out.

             “Can one of you tell me exactly what you’re going to be working on?”

             “A spell, darling,” Rarity said.  “A dangerous bit of magic that Starlight once cast, then destroyed.  She’s trying to recreate it.”

             “What does it do?”

             “It takes the caster back in time.”

*   *   *   *   *

             After an hour of intense magical discussion, most of which went totally beyond Lofty’s head, they were finally summoned by a confused Topaz to a late dinner in the galley.

             “I thought you were right behind us,” Topaz said.  Lofty shrugged.

             “They asked for my help working on something for Starlight,” he said.  “Though I don’t know how much help I was.  I mostly just answered a bunch of questions about how the batteries in rune gauntlets worked.  I wish Emberglow could have been there.”

             “Emberglow’s not exactly in a good place right now.  Thank you for filling in.” Topaz gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

             “Do you know what happened?”

             “Guilt, mostly.  She thinks she’s failed, because she came close to breaking a vow she made.  An oath to do no harm.  When Brightblade cornered her, she attacked him first.  It’s weighing her down.”

             It was a feeling Lofty knew well.  Guilt was a paralytic; it hadn’t been so long ago that Lofty had been able to do little more than work in his garden and care for True.  “Will she be okay?”

             “I’m sure of it,” Topaz said.  “It may take some time, though.  Oh, and it looks like Escher and Mahogany made it on board, as well as some other intelligence service ‘ponies’.  We’re in good hooves.” 

She looked behind Lofty into the room where Rarity and Starlight, with the help of an enchanted talking statuette, were deep in concentration over some small experiment they were working on, involving a circle of greenish energy spinning in the air.  Inside the circle were what appeared to be clock hands.  Rarity looked fatigued, but she didn’t seem ready to stop any time soon.

“Rarity?  Starlight?  Dinner?” she ventured.  Rarity didn’t even look up.

“You go on, both of you.  Bring me something later, if you can, though.  I think I’m just about to make a…” the green circle suddenly collapsed with a pop and a puff of sulfurous air, blasting smoke into Rarity and Starlight’s face.  She coughed daintily.  “Well.  I was about to make a breakthrough.  Twilight, do you know what went wrong?”

“That information is not stored in this construct,” the talking statue replied. 

“Oh well.  Never you mind, Lofty.  We’ll continue without you.  Though it would be nice if you could drop something by.”

“Rarity,” Topaz said, with some asperity in her voice.  “We’re going to be discussing the next stage of our journey.  We need your input.”

Rarity clicked her tongue with annoyance.  “Very well.  But this spell could be very important!  If we could somehow—”

             “It's a time travel spell, Rarity.  It’s not going anywhere.  It will be here when you get back.”

             Rarity huffed, but nodded.  “If you insist.  Starlight, will you be joining us?”

             “May I stay?” Starlight asked, her voice tiny, almost like a foal’s begging for permission.  “I would like to speak with Twilight.”

             Rarity’s face softened.  “Of course you may, darling.  Stay as long as you need to.”

             Just down the hall from their room was the galley.  It consisted mostly of a row of benches and short tables bolted to the floor, and a small kitchen area in the corner.  When Lofty entered, with Rarity in tow, everypony else was there, except Heartwing.

             There were two ponies Lofty didn’t recognize, however.  One was an earth pony mare, dressed in the yellow armor of the Discordant.  She had her hoof draped protectively around the second pony, a young stallion wrapped in a blanket and shivering.  He looked sick, as if a stiff sea breeze might come along and knock him over.  On the other side of the colt sat Emberglow.  She was carefully watching the colt.

             With a jerk of surprise, Lofty noticed the severed stub of a horn on the colt’s head.  Topaz must have noticed at the same time, because she hissed in fury.  The colt looked up at their entrance, his sunken green eyes tight with pain.

             “Lofty, Topaz,” Terminus began.  “I’d like you to meet Chocolate Chip and Golden Willow.”

             “I-I thought…” Lofty began, then snapped his mouth shut, breathing heavily through his nose to calm himself.

             “Thought what, Lofty?” Rarity asked.

             “I-it’s okay,” the colt stammered, his eyes on the floor.  “I know w-what you’re going to ask.  It’s t-t-true.  I’m dying.”  Oddly enough he didn’t stammer on the last word.

“Chip is a very brave pony, and he wanted to come share something with us.”  Terminus motioned with one hoof to the colt, who glanced about the room nervously.

             “O-okay,” he said.  “S-so before I got caught and…” he gulped.  “Caught and attacked, we were trying to figure out what the Diarchy wanted with Makucha ya Paka.  I don’t know m-much about zebra languages, but th-that one means ‘C-cat’s Claw’.”

             “Like the song!” Rarity said.  Chip nodded.

             “Y-you’re not the first to make that c-connection.  It’s been s-searched.  A thousand t-times, probably.  But then why would the D-diarchy be building an outpost there?”  He paused, and Lofty realized with horror that he was catching his breath.  Willow stroked his back gently, tears brimming in her eyes.

             “We can take a break if we—”

             “N-no.” Chip made a slashing motion with one hoof.  “I h-have to explain it all.  I h-have to tell them.  It’s the only way I win.”

             “I’ll get you a drink, at least,” Emberglow said, standing from her spot next to him and walking over to the small kitchen area.

             “Th-thanks.  So Lady Justice and I were supposed to lose our pursuit and then head b-back to Willow’s house.  We were, but then we saw one of the Diarchy Knights in the marketplace.  H-hiring labor.”

             “Labor?” Rarity asked.

             “There’s a place you can go to contract day laborers.  There’s also a few different work guilds, construction companies.  It’s on the south end of the market,” Willow said helpfully.

             “Y-yeah.  And Lady Justice and I were able t-to get close enough to hear what they were negotiating for.  A c-construction company, to do some excavating.  Stone work, though, n-not earth moving.  And they were going to need to be travelling by boat.  The contractor asked where they’d be sailing to.  The Knight didn’t s-say exactly, but h-he did describe the island wh-where they’re b-building their outpost.”

             “So the Diarchy is digging for something on an island that’s already been searched a thousand times before?” Lofty said.  “What are they up to?  And what do they know that we don’t?”

             “We need to get to that island,” Rarity said.

             “Why?” Terminus said.  “It’s obviously a trap.  Besides, we’re not in charge of the ship.  I doubt the captain would let us make a detour, especially when three of us are technically prisoners.”

             “Is Heartwing okay?” Emberglow’s voice came as a bit of a shock; she’d been alarmingly quiet since they’d released her from prison.  She had found a bottle somewhere, and passed it to Chip.  He took a sip, his eyes widening suddenly.  He looked at her in shock, but she just gave him a sad little smile. 

             “He is.  He’s in the hold, in the bottom of the ship.  There’s a brig there.  It’s small, but he’s fine.”  Terminus made a pained look.  “He’s making jokes.  I wish he’d take this seriously.”

             “We all cope with adversity in our own way,” Topaz murmured, and Terminus gave a patient sigh. 

             “Regardless of Heartwing, who’s not available right now,” Rarity began,  “we need to convince the captain to take us on a detour.  We thought we’d lost our chance to get the Element of Magic, but the Diarchy may be leading us right to it.  The name of the island fits the song, after all.”

             “It's too easy,” Terminus said.  “We need to know more, before we ask the Captain to sail into a trap.”

             “Well, the ambassador did say she’d have intelligence agents look into the situation.  Maybe they’ll be able to share more.”  Rarity said.  Lofty knew who that probably meant.  He wondered if Mahogany had taken Escher along with him.  He hadn’t seen the two since they’d left the embassy.  “So here’s what we’ll do.”  Lofty found it interesting that nopony challenged Rarity’s taking charge.  “I’d like to see what the ambassador’s agents come up with, but we should move forward on asking the captain to take us to this… ‘Cat’s Claw’ island.  At least to have a look.  It would be a shame to have come all this way for nothing.  Topaz, can I trust you to influence things on our behalf?”

             “If it looks like it’ll be safe, I will,” Topaz said.  “I won’t order these innocent sailors into danger needlessly.”

             “Some risk might be necessary,” Rarity said.  For a second, Lofty thought he smelled something odd, something that reminded him of his father’s old library.  Book glue and parchment?  But it was gone before he could smell it again.  “But we won’t make our decision ignorantly.  Shall we reconvene after we hear from the intelligence ponies?”

             “I’ll let you know when they get back,” Topaz said.

             “I will be in my cabin, after our meeting.  Is there anything else?” Rarity looked about authoritatively.

             “I might have something,” Terminus said.  “But it’s for the Knights present.  And Chip, if you’re feeling up to it.”

             “Some sort of secret?” Rarity’s eyes narrowed.

             “No,” Terminus said gently.  “A ceremony.”

             Willow’s eyes widened, and she gave a sob and crushed Chip against her in a tight embrace.  Chip looked confused.  Topaz glanced at Lofty, quizzically.

             “I don’t know,  but I have an idea.  It’ll be fine.  Go watch for Escher and Mahogany, please?  And make sure True is settling into his cabin.”

             “Okay,” she said, leaning up to kiss him, which he returned with vigor.  She then guided a confused looking Rarity out of the room.

             “Come, let’s go see Heartwing,” Terminus said as soon as the Knights, and Chip, were alone in the galley.  “Not the most ideal of circumstances for this, but…” he trailed off into silence, and the only sound was Willow’s quiet weeping.  With a sigh, he turned around and walked over next to the small galley, where a trapdoor led into the hold.

             One after another, the Knights stepped down the narrow ladder that led to the ship’s hold.  Chip was trembling with exhaustion, so the others had to carefully help him down, with Terminus standing sentinel at the bottom to make sure he didn’t fall.  Lofty came down last, after Emberglow.  When he got to the bottom, he saw that Chip was still carrying the bottle.

             “Th-this is ale, isn’t it?” he asked Emberglow softly.  “I d-don’t know if I’m old enough.”

             “Does it matter now?” Emberglow whispered, and Chip’s eyes glazed a little, before he took a long drink from the bottle.

             In the hold was a forest of crates and barrels.  A narrow pathway between them all led to a small brig in the back, lit by a single lantern.  There was a bunk inside, and Heartwing’s chained form was splayed out on it.  The gentle sounds of snores came from the cell.

             Terminus stopped just outside the cell, reaching with one hoof.  He was just a little too far away to touch Heartwing, and Lofty saw a look of pain cross his eyes.  But he called out gently.

             “Heartwing?  Wake up, please.  We’ve got somepony that needs to see you.”

             The chains rattled as Heartwing stirred.  “Dear heart, what…” He turned around and blinked a few times, before noticing everypony gathering around.  “Chip!”  He jerked out of his cot, stumbling a bit at his restraints, and moved as close to the bars as he could.  Terminus caressed Heartwing’s face with one hoof, while Heartwing stared at the young colt in horror.  “Sweet Celestia, Chip, what did they do to you?”

             “Sir Heartwing.”  Terminus’ words were formal, but his voice was thick with emotion.  “Squire Chocolate Chip has shown a dedication to duty and courage beyond his young years.  I submit to you that his training is complete, and he should be honored with Knighthood.  Who here present will second him?”

             “I will,” Willow said, without hesitation.

             “Me, too,” Emberglow said.

             “I will also second,” Lofty said.  He hadn’t known Chip for long, but he knew the colt was dying.  Most other ponies would have given up.  Chip was still trying to find a way to fight.  He had nothing but respect for the young stallion.

             “B-but… my training isn’t complete,” Chip stammered.  “Lady Justice died.  And I… I…” his body shook as he was wracked with coughing.

             “As the Grand Master of the Discordant, I have the right to determine when a pony is ready for Knighthood.  I also have the right to accept the word of those who know you, to judge if you are ready or not.”

             “I’m dying, Sir Heartwing,” Chip said calmly.  “I don’t know how much use to you I’ll be as a Knight.”

             “It’s not about whether or not I can use you.  It’s about whether or not you’ve earned it.  These other Knights say you have.  Do you believe it?”

             Chip looked from Emberglow, to Willow, to Terminus, and finally to Lofty.  He shakily stepped towards the bars.  “I d-do, sir.”

             “Kneel, Squire Chip,” Heartwing said.  “Um, Willow?  I may need you to be my hooves, here.  I can’t exactly…” he wiggled his manacled hoof, sending the chain clinking about again.  Chip knelt before the bars, and he let the blanket slip from his shoulders.  Lofty could see he was trembling.

             “Squire Chip.  The world is broken.  The Princesses are gone.  The Council of Friendship is worshipped on an altar of falsehood and hatred.  You have chosen the path of Discord.  You will be the blade of chaos, the spear of rebellion.  You will sow dissension and death to those who sit on thrones of lies, and you stand as guardian to the hurt, the outcast, and the innocent.  Your oath is to be upheld for life.  Do you swear to do these things?”

             “I do.”  Tears streamed down Chip’s face.

             “You swear with your blood, Squire.  Thousands before you have spilled their blood for the truth, and thousands may after you.  You spill your blood to join with theirs.”

             Willow unsheathed a blade, a long dagger buckled to her side.  “Hold out your hoof, squire,” Willow said.  When Chip did so, she gently pricked the frog of his hoof, just enough to draw a trickle of blood.  Lofty noticed that Chip never flinched.

             “You’ve shed your blood for Equestria once.  You must always be ready to do it again.  By this oath, you are bound to us, bound to duty and love and truth.  Now, let your blood drip on the ground.”

             Chip turned his hoof over, letting the drips fall on the ship’s deck.

             “I name you Sir Chocolate Chip, Knight of the Discordant.  May all the alicorns watch over your vigil, and may the Elements be your guide.”  While Heartwing spoke, Willow gently touched him on one shoulder with her blood-dripped blade, then the other.  Finally she touched him once on the forehead, just beneath the stump of his horn.

             “Thank you,” Chip said into the silence that followed.  Willow reached down and wrapped him in a hug.  “Do you… d-do you think Lady Justice was watching?”

             “I’m sure she’s proud of you,” Willow said.  “I am.”

             “I’m honored to have you as one of mine,” Heartwing said.  “I’d have done the Knighting more properly myself, but I’m a bit tied up at the moment.”  As a joke went, it was weak, and nopony laughed.

             “So, S-sir Heartwing, what are my d-duties?” Chip asked.  He managed a wan smile.  “I don’t know h-how much use I’ll be, or for how long.  M-maybe three or four w-weeks.”

             “I suspect things will be messy with the Diarchy forces in Jubilation.  Your body is weak, but your eyesight and your hearing are fine.  I’ll need you to help Willow be my eyes and ears in Jubilation, and see if anything interesting happens.  Meanwhile, Sir Chip… spend time with your family.”  Heartwing paused, and flinched.  “I never even asked if you had family here.”

             “My m-mother, sir.  She… she doesn’t know yet.”

             A look of agony crossed Heartwing’s face, and Terminus once again reached out to comfort his coltfriend through the bars.

             “Willow, I’ll have to leave that duty to you.  Give her my condolences.  And my apologies.”

             “Yes, sir.”

             “Light duty for you, too.  Lay low.  Don’t take any risks.  Understand?”

             “Yes, sir!”

*   *   *   *   *

             After the ceremony, everypony seemed to be in no mood for talking.  Lofty understood.  Terminus elected to stay behind with Heartwing, while Emberglow saw Willow and Chip off the ship.  They were going to Chip’s home, to somehow explain to his mother that he was going to die.  Lofty didn’t envy Willow her duty in the slightest.

             For his part, he wandered over to Rarity’s cabin.  He was sure she was working with Starlight on the spell again, and he could at least see if helping them would take his mind off what he’d seen.

             Rarity and Starlight were deep in conversation by the time Lofty got there.

             “…main problem is still there.  You may not remember how your spell worked, but it didn’t actually change anything!  The present wasn’t altered, because nothing you did was permanent, and everything was fixed by Twilight.”  There was a pause.  “Ugh.  I wonder if you and Twilight ever got headaches like this when discussing time travel.”

             “I don’t remember.”

             “Perhaps we’re looking at this wrong.  Your spell, while more powerful, didn’t change a thing.  When Twilight used the other time travel spell, she did have an effect; only we didn’t realize until later that it had already…”

             Lofty opened the door, finding Rarity and Starlight both crowded around the cabin’s tiny writing desk.  Starlight’s journal was open on the desk, as well as one of Rarity’s notebooks.  The Twilight construct perched silently on the desk as well, waiting for orders.

             “Sorry to interrupt,” Lofty said.  “Please, don’t let me stop your conversation.”

             “It’s no problem at all, Lofty.  Did you need something?”

             “Just came to help.” He needed something to distract himself.

             “We’re at a bit of a deadlock at the moment.  Starlight’s old spell might be powerful enough to send a pony back in time, but I’m not sure it will work.  The spell was tied to the map in the Castle of Friendship, and as you may have noticed, there’s no Friendship Map to serve as a focus.  I suggested another spell, one that Starlight has also written notes on, but that has problems as well.”

             “How many time travel spells are there?” Lofty gaped at her.

             “Two that we know of.  Starswirl may have written more, but his spells were all locked away in the Canterlot Library, last I heard. And they’re probably long gone by now.”

             “Well…” Lofty mused.  “Honestly, I don’t know how much help I can be, but there was a technique we used, during my time in the Vigilant.  We called it ‘rubber ducking’.”

             “You called it what now?”

             Lofty laughed and waved a hoof.  “Rubber ducking.  It’s kind of a mental technique.  You talk about the case you’re working on to an inanimate object.  Like a rubber duck.  And as you talk about the mystery, or the problem out loud, sometimes you figure things out.  You have insights you might not have had before.  So let me be your rubber duck.”

             “Very well, darling,” Rarity had a bemused look.  “I shall try.  So the spell Starlight has spent most of her time trying to recreate was tied to an enchanted map in Twilight’s castle…”

             Rarity told a tale so incredible Lofty almost couldn’t believe it.  He’d been told by his grandfather, by Lady Quiet Sleep, and even by Emberglow during her brief time at his manor that the Book of the Saints was far from the truth, but the real story just sounded so amazing.  Multiple alternate futures, an epic battle in the past, and a redemption agonizingly worked out on a barren dust-swept wasteland. 

             “So you see our first problem, darling,” Rarity said when her story was finished.  Lofty stared at her blankly, and she sighed a little.  “The spell was tied to the Map.  The map was tied to our own cutie marks.  Our destiny.  And the single momentous event that led to all of us getting our cutie marks was the first Rainboom.  The spell was tied to that event.  But we don’t have some large magical nexus to tie another spell to.”

             “But there was a second spell?” Lofty asked.

             “Oh yes.  Much smaller and weaker.  It allowed Princess Twilight…” Rarity hesitated.  “Well, she wasn’t a princess yet, just a regular unicorn.  Um.  That doesn’t matter.  She used the spell to send herself back in time.  Only by a week, and only for a few seconds.”

             “Tell me about that one,” Lofty suggested.

             “There’s not much to tell.  It seems more useful for our purposes.  Unlike the one Starlight cast, Twilight’s spell seems to actually have had an effect on the future.  Starlight was unable to make changes to the present, but Twilight…” Rarity shook her head in frustration.  “I’m not making much sense, am I?”

             “Why wouldn’t this spell work?”

             “Because it only goes back a few months at the most.  In order to send a pony back a few centuries, we’d need… twelve Twilight Sparkles!  And then there’s the other issue.  The spell only lasts a few seconds, then the caster simply returns to their own time.  What could we say, or do, to change the course of history in a matter of heartbeats?  How do we save Sunset Shimmer in the blink of an eye?”

             “You said…” Lofty felt like he was on the tip of something important.  “You said that the caster is sent back in time, and the caster is returned when the spell ends.”

             “Yes…” Rarity said.

             “So the spell is tied to the unicorn who casts it.  But what if it were cast from a rune gauntlet?  Would the spell be tied to the caster?  Or to the gauntlet?”

             “That’s an interesting question, Lofty, but I don’t quite understand why you’re…”

             “Let me tell you a story, Rarity.  When a pony swears the oath to join the Knights Vigilant, one of the Order’s secrets we learn is about one of our earliest ponies, a Knight by the name of Jabbernote.”

             This time it was his turn to tell the story.  Rarity reacted predictably, with excitement at the implication that Sunset Shimmer had already been saved by a changeling, and with horror and disgust at Jabbernote’s admittedly cowardly and cruel behavior.

             “So was it a changeling from the past?” Rarity mused, when he was complete.  “Or do we, at some point in the future, manage to cast the spell successfully, sending a changeling back to take Sunset’s place?”

             Lofty didn’t have time to answer.  There was a knock on the door.

             “Come in!” Rarity called out.

             “Was somepony talking about changelings?” Escher was standing there, wearing his insectoid shape, complete with red and black carapace.  “Sorry.  I didn’t mean to overhear the last bits.  Topaz said that Rarity would like to be informed when my uncle and I returned.  We have news.”

             “Good news, I hope, darling?”

             “I think so,” Escher said with a smile.  “But Mahogany will want to go over it only once.”

             “So back to the galley?” Rarity asked.

             “No, Topaz is already waiting with Mahogany and Captain Yancey in his cabin.  I think we’re going to want to convince him to check out the island.”

             “Lead the way,” Rarity said.

             The captain’s cabin was just down the hall.  Escher knocked politely, waiting for the muted invitation from inside before pushing the door open.  Inside was a well-apportioned chamber, with woven wool tapestries covering the wall, and a miniature canopy bed in the corner. Captain Yancey stood behind a small, square map table, covered in documents.  Standing around the table were Topaz and Mahogany.  Topaz looked worried, but Mahogany appeared businesslike.  He barely spared Lofty a nod, before turning to Rarity.

             “You are the one they call Rarity, correct?  The one they say lived with Twilight Sparkle and the other Elements?”

             “I am, darling.”

             “Mahogany, Imperial Intelligence Service.”  He held out a hoof for her to shake.  “We found something that might be interesting to you.  I managed to retrieve this document from the Diarchy Embassy in Jubilation.  It was in the possession of a Sir Brightblade, before he was banished from Jubilation by decree of the council.  Have a look.”

             He slid a piece of paper over to Rarity, who picked it up with a blue glow.  “Brightblade.  You are authorized to begin excavation of ‘the Cat’s Claw’.  We must find the Element room again. Send word when you’ve breached it.”  She looked up, surprised.  “It’s signed by ‘Sir Steadfast’.  This seems at least to be confirmation of what we’ve been suspecting.”  She placed the note back on the table.  “Captain Yancey, we have a request for you.  We need to make a bit of a detour towards this ‘Cat’s Claw’ island.  What did the locals call it?”

             “Makucha Ya Paka,” Lofty supplied.

             “Yes, that.  It shouldn’t be too far out of our path, should it?” Rarity asked.

             “It wouldn’t be far out of our course,” Captain Yancey said.  “But Captain Yancey’s orders did not include side trips.  Captain Yancey is supposed to deliver the prisoners to Shining’s Bay, not go on adventures.”

             “Captain, I don’t know if this overextends my authority, but would it help if I gave permission?  In my role as a d-duchess?” Topaz seemed to struggle to push the word out.

             “Captain Yancey would need to know why we’re going to this island, first.  And what sort of opposition we’re likely to face.”  The captain stomped a firm hoof on the ground for emphasis.  “Captain Yancey and Pearl Shimmer’s crew are brave and capable, but we are not a warship.”

             “I may be able to help assuage your worries,” Mahogany said.  “While I was infiltrating the Diarchy Embassy, I was a fly on the wall of one of their meetings.  It seems they’re pulling off of the island.  They cancelled their excavation orders in the wake of Brightblade and Mercy Song’s banishment, and are recalling their personnel back to the Diarchy.  Jubilation demanded it, and they’re doing their best to smooth out the waves they made with Brightblade’s little tantrum in the Treaty Hall.”

             “Or it’s all still some sort of elaborate trap,” Topaz said darkly.  Mahogany’s face turned thoughtful, and he idly tapped a hoof on the table.

             “Possibly.  However, my gut tells me that there’s more at play here.  The impression that I got was that the Knights assigned to the embassy long-term are at odds with those that came in to look for you ponies and the Elements.  Brightblade and his party have disrupted years of work opening the Jubilation council to a closer connection with Diarchy diplomacy and trade.  From what I saw, they were barely objecting to Mercy and Brightblade’s ejection from Jubilation.”

             “What does that mean for us?” Rarity asked. 

             “It might not be a trap, but we still could see some action,” Mahogany said.  “I doubt we’ll get some sort of organized resistance to our exploring the island, but we should be on our guard.”

             “Please, Topaz.  Please, Captain Yancey.  We need what Captain Celeano hid on that island,” Rarity begged.  “We promise this isn’t some sort of silly escape attempt for our prisoners.  We just need to at least try.”

             “Captain Yancey is inclined to try,” the yak captain said slowly.  “Pearl Shimmer is a fast ship, but she is a cargo ship.  Not for fighting.  We only have four guns.”

             “If we are attacked, I expect us to retreat,” Rarity agreed.  “No heroics, no danger.”

             “Very well, Rarity.  Pearl Shimmer will join you on your treasure hunt.”

*   *   *   *   *

             Dawn the next morning broke with a flurry of noise and activity.  Lofty awoke to True buzzing about the cabin, impatiently waiting to go up on deck and see all the activity.

             “Wuz goinon?” Topaz moaned from her bunk, groggy and in a fog as True’s antics roused her from her own bunk.  She blinked bleary eyes, then smiled at Lofty when she finally did manage to focus.  “It’s too early, isn’t it?”

             “No such luck,” Lofty mock-lamented.  “I was about to take True up on deck, as long as he promises to stay out of the sailors’ way.”

             “I promise, I promise!”

             “So you’re taking the noise with you?  Fine by me.” Topaz rolled over, curling the blanket about her as she turned her back to Lofty.

             Lofty laughed.  “C’mon, True.  Let’s let Topaz sleep in a bit.”

             The foal was practically bouncing off the walls as they walked down the narrow hallway towards the stairs that led up to the deck.  Lofty watched his son with more than a little wonder; to him this was all some grand, exciting adventure. True had no real grasp of the danger they were all constantly in.  Lofty was fine with that.  It was better that True didn’t have to live with the worry he felt every day, the second-guessing, the endless replay of ‘what-if’s that made him wonder if Grace hadn’t been right all along.

             On deck, most of the other Knights were up and about.  Emberglow, strangely enough, was helping the sailors with their work.  Terminus was airborne, moving about the higher rigging as he kept watch on the docks.  Lofty moved up to Emberglow, keeping a hoof on True so he didn’t run and get underhoof.

             “Good morning.  I didn’t know you were a sailor.”  Emberglow was helping to coil a rope, using a careful figure eight pattern.

             “I hunted pirates for several weeks, remember?  I tried to be helpful when I could, but mostly I’m just good for menial stuff.”  Her voice dropped.  “Work helps me not think about things.”

             “Anything you want to talk about?”

             “No,” Emberglow said.  “But True, would you like to learn how to tie some sailor knots?”

             She was avoiding whatever was bothering her, obviously, but True cheered with glee, so Lofty didn’t see the point in trying to press her further.  If he had to guess, it probably had something to do with what Terminus had told him back in Jubilation, about how she’d gone berserk before their capture.

             “Yeah, yeah!” True bounced up and down.

             “Well, let’s find a spare bit of line, then.”

             There were enough nearby sailors that it was easy enough to find a bit of rope not in use.  Some of them even looked on in amusement, glancing from their flurry of tasks to watch the tiny sailor-in-training tie his first knots.  Emberglow was a good teacher, too; True was engaged and enjoying himself, asking curious questions and cackling with delight as each knot took shape.

             “You really learned more than you implied while you were off chasing pirates,” Lofty noted, as Emberglow demonstrated a bowline knot for True.

             She snorted with laughter.  “If you think that, watch one of the sailors tie knots.  They do everything I do, just tighter, better, one-hoofed and in a quarter of the time.  Watch.”  Lofty glanced around him, and indeed, was able to spot a sailor tying the very same knot to a post of some sort in a fraction of the time Emberglow had.  “They’re mostly just letting me help to humor me.”

             Lofty didn’t think the sailors minded that much.  Though they didn’t have the same sort of worshipful deference he was used to in the Diarchy, they were still getting curious glances and polite interest.  It was nice, actually, to just be treated like an interesting pony, rather than a figure of devotion, a living symbol of the Saints.

             “Listen up, sailors!”  The booming voice of the captain broke him from his contemplation.  Captain Yancey stood on deck, just behind the ship’s wheel.  “We’re just about ready to leave port!  We’re on a schedule, and there could be danger ahead.  Captain Yancey needs all eyes sharp and all hooves quick.  This could be the most important voyage we’ve ever taken together, so Captain Yancey asks for the best you’ve got.  Not that you’ve ever given me less than that.”

             The sailors never paused in their tasks, but they let out a cheer.  One of the sailors, a tall, muscular crystal pony mare, pulled out a drum and began pounding out a rhythmic beat.  Her voice cut over the din and chaos of the sailors' work as she started to sing a sea shanty.

It didn’t take long for Lofty to realize what the sailors were singing about.  If the lyrics had not been couched in such colorful metaphor, he would have considered covering True’s ears.  The foal was laughing and clapping along with the innuendo-ridden sea shanty.  Lofty and Emberglow shared a look.  Emberglow’s face was much pinker than usual.

             “Weigh anchors, sailors! Hoist the sails!  We’re on our way home!”  Captain Yancey’s order to depart was met by a chorus of cheers, again.  The ship slowly pulled away from the dock, and Lofty guided his son over to the railing at the side of the ship.  He kept a protective hoof on the foal as he helped him lean up against the railing, to watch the dock retreating into the distance.

             “I’m not sad to see it go,” Emberglow whispered next to him.  Lofty nodded.  He hadn’t suffered here like she had, but his brief time in Jubilation had been rife with chaos and fear.  He hoped the Empire would be safer, especially for True.  Topaz had assured him it would be.  “I hope we find the Element.  I’d rather not come back.  Ever.”

             “You know what, though?” Lofty had to look on the bright side.  It was odd to hear her disparage the town, when only a day ago Rarity had been talking about how romantic it could have been.  “At least it brought us all together.  So there’s that.”

             “Sure,” Emberglow gave a humorless laugh.  “Thanks, Jubilation.  Out of all the awful things you piled on us, at least you did one thing right.”

             Even so, they stood at the railing as the ship pulled out of the dock, and until it was a dwindling speck on the horizon.  True had long since grown bored of watching the city retreat behind them, and instead was now following Topaz around the ship, asking sailors if they needed any help tying knots.  The pace of activity on deck had slowed enough that he wasn’t in the way, and nearly all the crusty sea creatures lit up with delight, happy to let the foal ‘help’.  He did, however, see them fixing any knots True tied as soon as the foal was out of sight.

             “So,” Lofty began, eyeing his old friend sideways.  “I never got to ask about the eye.”

             Emberglow flinched.  “Battle wound.  I got slashed, trying to defend Rarity, Terminus, and another Knight from an Adamant.”

             “You okay?”

             “It's fine.  I was never much of a fighter anyways.”

             Lofty regretted bringing the subject up.  Sometimes Knights would brag about their scars and their war-wounds, telling thrilling tales of their adventures.  “Sorry I asked, Emberglow.”

             “What?” Emberglow jerked.  “Oh, no, don’t feel bad.  It’s fine, I don’t mind that you asked.  It was a difficult day, though.  Rarity had just rescued me from…” a haunted look crossed her good eye, and she shuddered.  “From Brightblade.  I was being t-tortured.  We escaped but were being chased.  I thought that when I went back to stop our pursuit, I’d die.  I did, actually.  For a few seconds.  My heart stopped.”

             “You… what?”

             She laughed at his expression.  “Lightning.  I messed with the clouds.  It was the only way to win.  The others saved my life.”

             “You know you get a really cute look on your face when you talk about Rarity?” Lofty felt the need to change the subject.  Emberglow was already morose, and it was time to cheer her up.  The question worked; Emberglow’s eyes shot wide, and her face turned even pinker.

             “I… I do?”

             “Oh yeah,” Lofty smirked.  “Tell me about you and her.”

             “It’s nothing, yet.”  Emberglow looked away.

             “But it could be?”

             “I think so.”  Her voice was tiny and hopeful.

             “Good for you.”  Lofty grinned.  “I haven’t known her long, but she seems like a good pony.”  He felt the need to tease, though.  “Kinda makes you rejecting me feel a little bit better, you know?  If the only pony good enough for you is a literal Saint.”

             “Shut up, you,” Emberglow scowled, but she wasn’t angry.  “Go swab a deck or something.”

             “Aye aye, captain,” he laughed, and she shoved him gently with one hoof.  “I was actually about to go check on Rarity.  She’s probably working with Starlight.  Want to come with?”

             Emberglow grimaced and looked away.  “I… no.  I can’t.  Not while she’s using the construct.  It’s… shameful to be jealous of a magical toy, isn’t it?”

             “I…”

             “Nevermind, Lofty.  Don’t worry about it.”  She smiled back at him as she spread her wings.  “I’m going to go talk to the captain a bit.  I want to see if there’s anything more I can do to help.  Thanks for the talk.”

             “Sure,” Lofty said, and Emberglow fluttered her wings enough to fly over to the captain, who was still behind the ship’s wheel.  “Have fun.”

*   *   *   *   *

             It was the sound of cannon fire that roused Lofty from his light doze.  He’d been doing his best to help Rarity and Starlight with their work.  Even Escher had joined in, though he was mostly just listening, like Lofty.

             “Was that…” Rarity’s ears perked at the sound, but Lofty and Escher both were already rushing out of the cabin, sprinting towards the deck, with Escher just slightly behind his friend.

             The deck was a mass of shouting.  Captain Yancey was at the wheel, with Emberglow right next to him.  He was about to run up, to ask what was going on, when Terminus landed right in front of him, his hooves slamming against the deck with a bang.

             “Lofty!  Great, you’re here.  Escher, too.  Your uncle was looking for you.  I think he’s up in the crow’s nest.”

             “What’s the situation?” Lofty asked, as Escher’s carapace split to reveal his wings.  He buzzed up to the crow’s nest, where Lofty could see the two changelings enter into an animated discussion.

             “Diarchy ship.  Hiding behind one of the barrier islands.  They’re fast, too, and from the looks of things, better armed.  I need—” he cut off as a whistling sound filled the air, followed by a massive splash to the port side of the ship.  “Damn, they’re getting closer.  I need you to get your gauntlet and secure the civilians.  Probably in one of the cabins.  Strongest shield spells you know.”

             “Yes, sir!  Civilians?”

             “Topaz, Rarity, and your son,” Terminus clarified.

             “You know where True and Topaz are?”

             “No, I don’t,” Terminus shot back, and Lofty felt an icicle of fear stab his chest.

             “If you see them, send them to our cabin!” Lofty called.  He was already turning and sprinting downstairs, to search for them.  Last he knew, Topaz and True had been on deck, talking to sailors.  They were nowhere in sight, now.

             He didn’t bother with the stairs, instead simply leaping down them in one bound, bending his knees at the bottom to cushion the sharp impact.  He stopped at Rarity and Emberglow’s cabin first, throwing the door open.

             Starlight was gone, but Rarity was hastily tossing all of their notes and the construct into her bags.

             “Rarity, have you seen my son?  And Topaz?”

             “I heard some commotion from your cabin next door.  I was about to go check on them.”

             “Come with me.  I’m supposed to shield you all in our cabin,” Lofty said.  Rarity moved to follow, then hesitated.  “Please.”

             “I’m going up on deck,” she said.  “I can do more from up there.  What’s the use of all this knowledge, all this power Twilight has given me, if not to defend?”

             “Rarity, I…”

             “Hurry, darling.  Find your family.  I’ll try to keep us all safe from up top.”

             From the set of her jaw and the stern look in her eyes, Lofty was sure he wouldn’t win the argument.  So he simply nodded, rushing to the next door while Rarity dashed up the stairs and out into the battle above.  He wrenched the door open, heart pounding and hoping.

             Topaz was there, and he nearly cheered in relief.  She was in the corner, close to the door, and had curled her entire body around a wriggling toddler.  True was safe, too.

             “Thank the Saints,” he gasped.

             “Lofty!” Topaz cried out.  “You’re safe!  I… sorry.  I wanted to find you, but I had True with me and—”

             “You did exactly the right thing.”  He rushed to the cabin’s chest, where his armor was stored, and pulled out his gauntlet.  Slipping it on as quickly as possible, he began casting runes.  He cast two spells: a shield that would form a bubble of protective force around the three of them, and a second, more subtle spell to reinforce the walls and ceiling from collapse.  Only when the second spell snapped into place, filling the room with a silvery glow of magic, did Lofty take a moment to breathe.

             “Can you help me with the rest of my armor?” he asked, in the false calm that followed.  “I don’t think we’re out of the fire yet, so to speak.”