//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 Castle // Story: Warrior Ponies // by My name is R //------------------------------// The walk to the big horseden had been rather strained. His daughters Squirrelflight and Leafpool had been keeping to themselves and whispering to each other while Brambleclaw varied between sticking by Firestar’s side and tailing his daughters. Firestar had noticed that any time Brambleclaw came near they would move away. He wondered why Squirrelflight was avoiding her mate. Then again, he didn’t exactly like it when Sandstorm yelled at him either. He smiled as Sandstorm came up to his side. “Firestar,” Sandstorm purred. “Yes, Sandstorm?” “Is it just me, or does Squirrelflight seem... upset about something?” “You're right, she does. I think Brambleclaw yelled at her.” “Ah, so that's it. Odd though, they're already mates. I could see that as a courtship problem but seriously, they've already had kits.” “Yes, well, I'm sure it'll pass, it always does. They both have such abrasive tongues but they love each other.” “There could still be a problem there.” “Yes, I know. Mates can have problems, but I'm sure he'd never hurt her.” “I believe you, I just get worried about them. You know how queens can be.” As sundown came the group arrived at the largest horseden Firestar had seen the whole trip. Firestar stared up in awe at the shimmering walls. “It's amazing.” “Like the Moonstone,” agreed Sandstorm. The two cats continued to look on for a few more heartbeats before Firestar hurried to the head of the patrol, Sandstorm at his flank. Brambleclaw joined him at his other flank and together the three of them led the patrol. Squirrelflight and Leafpool fell back. Firestar walked up to the door and used his paw to hit it repeatedly, as he had seen other housefolk do on his housefolk's door before entering. Firestar waited a few heartbeats before turning to his deputy. “Hey Brambleclaw?” “Yes Firestar?” “There's something I've been wanting to ask you.” “Ask away.” “You and Squirrelflight seemed to be having some kind of issue on the walk here. Is everything alright?” “Yes yes, everything's fine. She's just in one of her moods.” “I guess that's good then.” They waited in awkward silence for a few more heartbeats. “Do we just go in?” asked Sandstorm hesitantly. “What do you think Firestar?” queried Brambleclaw. “I think we should. After all, we live here... for now.” Firestar squinted at the dooropeners and took one lightly in his teeth. He rotated his head as far as he could. Unfortunately his grip slipped. He straightened his head, tightened his grip, and tried again. He then took a lurching step backwards pulling the door open and bumping into Sandstorm. “Sorry for running into you.” Then he stepped back into step with Brambleclaw. I hope I didn't look too silly in front of my clanmates. They need me to be a strong leader more than ever. Firestar needn't have worried about how his clanmates thought of his door prowess, their opinions ran from mildly impressed by his ability to open it at all to slight annoyance at the door for its stubborn nature. However there was one individual watching who was stupefied by his clumsy efforts. The strange procession continued their military precision as they walked into Twilight's castle. Bon Bon decided to tail them further. While they had been on the move she had heard them talking, though she had been unable to make out the words. But she could tell they were militant and not royal guards. After the entire group passed through the door the orange mare in the rear stopped and closed the door behind them by biting the doorknob and walking backwards. Bon Bon was undecided on whether these ponies were from some tiny poor town beyond Equestria... or just inept. On the one hoof she thought that even ponies who had never run across anything pony made would be more capable of dealing with such simple devices, but on the other they displayed a capable entry of a possibly hostile location. It was all very suspicious. Bon Bon strolled casually up to the steps of the castle while subtly checking to make sure nopony was looking. After she reached the steps she simply kept walking into the bush on the right and positioned herself under the window. She took a periscope from where either she or Pinkie, she could never remember who had hidden what, had placed it sometime earlier in case of 'periscope emergencies'. She held the periscope up to the window and peered through. She was glad to have put in the effort when she observed the orange pegasus in the rear glancing her way for a moment before looking at the brown unicorn mare with a white face and belly who was marching between her and the others. Bon Bon slowly lowered the periscope back below the windowsill and counted to ten. After her count was done she poked her periscope back up to see what the strangers were up to. They appeared to be in the middle of a conversation, but Bon Bon couldn't make out the words. After a few exchanges between the orange unicorn and pegasus the group started towards one of the doors. When they reached it they closed up onto themselves and said something. There seemed to be some uncertainty, and then the gold earth colt shouted, “I can defend them! I can even defend Jaypaw from himself!” There was a slight pause, then the changeling shot back: “I don't need defended from myself!” The black earth colt said something which appeared to anger Jaypaw. “I don't care what you rabbit breathed Windclan-” then he stopped abruptly, as though he had been about to say something that he thought better of. The black colt started yelling back. “You say Windclan like it's an insult! We’re the best clan around the lake you idiot!” The golden colt drew in a breath for what was undoubtedly more bickering, but just then a door in the back opened and Spike poked his head out. The strangers quickly got back to an orderly formation and stopped arguing. Bon Bon noticed that even though the exact layout had changed the orange unicorn was once again in front. Spike was grabbing the plates for dinner when he heard shouting from the entry hall. He considered going to see what was the matter before deciding to finish setting the table first, since it sounded excited and then angry rather than panicked. He set a plate at each spot. Normally they used a smaller round table but they weren't sure how many guests were coming and it would be awkward if there wasn't room for everypony so Starlight had brought in a larger rectangular one. The shouting continued. As soon as he had finished he walked over to the door and stuck his head through. As soon as he saw the dozen or so ponies in a loose circle they all looked at him and hurried into rows. “Is everything alright out here?” “Yes," answered a bright orange unicorn standing in the center. "Everything's fine.” “Well, I should go get the others, take a seat and make yourselves at home.”