//------------------------------// // Chapter 24: Fire Rubies // Story: Sun & Moon Act II: A Crown Divided // by cursedchords //------------------------------// “Certainly the gems that carpet our lands are a mark of the greed of the dragons that once ruled here. But what became of them? Another puzzle.” - Star Swirl the Bearded To deal with all of the new supplies that Celestia had brought back to the house, Rosy and Capstan had been forced to expand their fire pit. The old one had done okay for boiling stews and vegetables, but after the flour and olive oil had come in, Rosy had gotten a chance to try her hoof at baking. It meant that in the morning, the rest of the house awoke to the intoxicating aroma of crisp breakfast buns, and this time they had the fresh cherries to go with them as well. Luna especially took a liking to the cherries, to the point where Capstan had to take the bowl off of the table to stop her from eating them all. “Will riding in the coach be the new normal for you, then?” Wickerlock asked, eying Celestia coolly over his cup of water. “For the time being, yes,” she replied, reading the meaning behind his tone. “Gala offered it, and I felt that it wouldn’t be right for me to turn him down. They’ll pick me up from a corner a couple of blocks from here.” “Why make you walk even that far?” “Well, he still doesn’t know that I’m not from the upper city. I wouldn’t want to give away that story by letting myself be seen around here.” Truthfully, Celestia wondered why getting picked up from a random street corner in the lower city was any better, but when she’d suggested it to Gala the old pony had taken the idea in stride, muttering something about her wanting to “maintain her privacy”. It meant that she wouldn’t be able to make the trek out to the estate with the rest of them every morning, but on the plus side the coach could carry a lot more supplies than she could alone. Amidst the conversation, Rosy was over by the water barrel, getting onto the business of cleaning up her bakeware while it was still warm. “If things keep on like this, one of these days the rest of us won’t even need to work!” she chuckled. “My, what a thought that is!” “That is the plan,” Celestia said, resting her chin onto her hoof as she thought about it. It would take some time still for sure, but after she found out who among the workers was sabotaging the orchard’s operations, surely there would be a significant reward for her. Perhaps something which could be traded for more than just the essentials. Capstan finished off his water and set his cup down on the table hard. “Not for me, it’s not!” He sounded irritated. “At least one of us has to keep on with some honest work around here. Even picking apples for that traitor is bad enough, let alone putting yourself on the line for his interests.” “I’m sorry, are you implying that my work is any less honest than yours?” Celestia put down her own cup, while trying to stay calm. “I may not have the sweat on my brow to prove it anymore, Capstan, but my job around the orchard is just as demanding as either of yours. At any rate it’s more important, and Gala clearly understands that.” “It’s not your effort to watch for, but where it takes you. Gala and his son are followers of the King!” “And do you think I’ll end up following along with them just because I’m doing their work?” she interrupted. “I can think for myself better than that. Don’t you think that all of this food is a worthy enough reward to chase after?” Rather than answer directly, he stood up from the table, a gleam in his eye as he went to collect his coat from where it hung by the door. “The food is good, Celestia. Don’t think I’m not thankful for that.” “Then what’s your problem with my work?” “Just be aware of where it’s taking you. A noble uniform and a ticket on the Lord’s coach may not seem like much, but we’re not following you up the mountain.” He threw his coat over his shoulders roughly. “Come on now, Wickerlock. We ought to be off.” The slender unicorn at the table shrunk back under his companion’s combined glares. “Sure, Capstan. See you tonight, Celestia.” He offered her a shaky smile on his way out of the door, but Capstan didn’t look back once. “Don’t worry about him,” Rosy said from the water barrel, where she was starting the process of washing up. “You follow your own star. Wherever it leads you, dear, I’m sure it’ll lead you well.” “Don’t worry, I will.” Even knowing that Capstan didn’t approve of Fastidious’s operation, she had still never expected such hostility from him. And especially now that her pay had almost subsumed both of theirs. “Surely you would follow me, Rosy, if a road opened up for us?” The old mare bent over the plates, studying them intently. “Let’s wait to see if that day comes first. Neither of us should dwell on what may yet be.” Celestia could only nod at that. They all could see the light at the top of the city as well as any other. Even Capstan, stubborn as he was, could only answer the question honestly once he realized that the dream was actually within reach. She had thought it all just fantasy too, until Gala had handed her the key. “Are we going somewhere?” Celestia felt a brush of hair on her right shoulder, and realized that in the midst of the argument she’d forgotten about Luna. Now her sister was looking up at her, her big violet eyes grave and concerned. “Why would you think that, Luna?” “Everyone was talking about roads and following stars. You know that I don’t want to go anywhere, right? I like it here.” She did a quick pirouette in place, taking in all of the space with one look. “There’s so much room to play, and it’s quiet at night.” Her eyes lit up. “And especially now with such sweets to eat!” Bending down, Celestia picked her sister up, using only a little magic to help herself along. It seemed like only yesterday she would have been able to hold Luna without any help, but now her sister seemed almost fully grown. “Of course we’re not going anywhere! Not today, and not tomorrow. We’ll have this place to play in for a long time yet.” With one bounce of her forelegs, she held up Luna until their eyes met. Now that her sister’s face had its usual spark of excitement back, Celestia couldn’t help but break out in a grin seeing it. “But I could perhaps tell you a little secret, if you promise to keep it.” Luna’s eyebrows came down. “You know I don’t like secrets, Tia. Why wouldn’t you tell the others, if you’d tell it to me?” Celestia took one look over her shoulder, to where Rosy was still busy with the dishes, and started walking slowly across the floor, toward the bedding area. “This will be just something between you and me, that’s all. Because the truth is, one day we are going to go somewhere. Somewhere with plenty of space to play in, safety and warmth at night, and more sweets than you could ever dream of!” The joy that spread across Luna’s face was infectious. “What? Where? When?” Celestia chuckled. “Not so loud! Secret, remember? I can’t say exactly when, but someday soon, I think. I’m going to be away more often at the orchard now, which means that you might not see me every night, but it’s because I’m working for that journey now. When I’m done, there’ll be a place made for us there.” She had expected that Luna would keep on peppering her with questions, but that assurance seemed enough to answer her curiosity for now. “Will there be cherries there, too?” Well, most of the curiosity, at any rate. “Cherries and apples, blueberries and strawberries and every kind of fruit you could imagine!” They had reached the far side of the room, and now Celestia let her sister down gently onto the side of the filly’s bed. “So when night comes, and I’m not here to set you to sleep, just remember that for me, okay?” Luna looked up with an eager smile. “Okay, Tia.” Celestia could have stayed there talking with her sister for an hour more, but soon enough Fastidious’s coach would be waiting by the appointed street corner, and she still had to change into her uniform before making her way out to meet it. At least now Luna wouldn’t worry if she stayed away from the house later than usual. She would try to avoid that if possible, but something told her that the work of catching the saboteur would involve quite a few extra hours, especially if she was overseeing the construction during the day. But just like Luna, at least she had a light to look up at, a hope that one day, soon, she wouldn’t have to worry about leaving her sister alone ever again. When the Lord’s coach emerged from the murky grey fog that was hanging that morning over Eridian, Celestia was doubly glad to see it. She certainly didn’t envy Capstan and Wickerlock for their commute this morning, as a chilly breeze was cutting through the damp air, and even in her well-tailored uniform it chilled her down to the bone. The inside of the coach would probably not be warm per se, but it would at least be out of that wind. When the attendant opened the door for her, she could hardly thank him through her chattering teeth. The inside of the coach was lit by a small lantern burning on one of the interior walls, its flickering flame not doing much to stave off the all-encompassing darkness of the city, but it was casting enough light at least for Celestia to be able to identify the coach’s other occupant. Sitting straight as a post on the other seat was Fastidious, his orange mane coiffed and parted delicately to the side of his face. Somehow, in spite of the chilly morning, he was wearing a warm smile. The lined overcoat that he wore around his shoulders might have had something to do with that. “G-good morning, my Lord,” she stammered out, rubbing the sides of her forelegs to maybe warm them up a little. “As you, Celestia,” he returned brightly. “My father would have met you, but well, he is busy at the orchard now. Seeing after Screw I believe. Normally, of course, you won’t have anyone else to join you for this ride, but today our schedules happened to align. That, and we thought it prudent to give you a little more of a briefing as we start out on this project.” She nodded quickly. Hopefully Fastidious would be doing most of the talking. Rubbing her forelegs was hardly helping. Fastidious reached under his seat, pulling out a bundle of parchments several inches thick. “Most of this you’ve seen already, as it was you who drafted the plans for us, after all. Nevertheless, it will be your job to make sure that everything is done according to that spec, so you should keep it with you.” Accepting the bundle, Celestia clutched it close to her chest. “And w-what about my other responsibilities?” Fastidious looked perplexed for a moment. “I’m sorry. Is something the matter?” “My Lord?” He reached across the inside of the coach, slowly, perhaps wary that a sudden bump would have them right up against each other’s chests. “You look so distraught, and you’re stammering, and my, your skin is ice cold!” He drew his hoof back quickly and gave her a questioning look. If he hadn’t been her boss, Celestia would have considered shaking her head in disapproval. By the stars, she could see her breath turning to fog as soon as she exhaled. How could he not have noticed? “It’s nothing, my Lord, just the cold. By the time we get to the orchard I’ll have warmed up some.” It looked like it took a few seconds for her words to get through to his mind, before finally he chuckled. “Of course. Forgive me. Sometimes I forget the troubles that some of us have to deal with. Please, take my coat. I’d have you back well sooner than the end of the ride.” She almost refused, but then the cold was still biting underneath her skin. Fastidious undid the coat with ease, revealing his usual crimson cape underneath, and then settled the fabric around her shoulders. Instantly, Celestia felt a gentle warmth against her wings and back, banishing the icy numbness of the cold from her extremities. She had expected the coat to still have some of his body heat on it, but this was something else entirely. After mere seconds, she wouldn’t have believed that it was cold outside either. Fastidious saw her shock, and grinned widely. “One of the perks that comes with a little wealth. There are fire rubies sewn into the lining. Enough to keep a pony comfortable on even the coldest of days.” “Thank you, my Lord,” she said, offering him a slight bow. “Though I suppose now you will be feeling the effects of the weather.” “I can manage,” he said without a hint of care. “Once or twice we should all try to remember what the world actually looks like. Which does bring us back to the question that you asked.” Celestia sat back into her seat, still marveling at the warmth coming off of the coat. Fire rubies were an exclusive commodity, mined from the noble estates in Fillydelphia. A prospector had once stopped by Raspberry’s tavern on his way through town, and he had shown her one of the glimmering red stones. The liquid centre of the rock would froth and bubble whenever he had turned the gem over, like it was filled with molten lava captured from a volcano, and all the while it had pulsated with the same gentle heat, just enough to be comfortable. But getting enough of them together to make a whole coat must have cost Fastidious a fortune. “Concerning the matter of our saboteur,” Fastidious continued, “regrettably most of that work will need to be carried out after hours, since overseeing construction will obviously take up all of your time during the regular work day. My father has prepared a set of quarters for you at the orchard, should you ever need them. And I also should give you this.” This time, what emerged from underneath his seat was a gleaming red brooch, fine gold worked around a small ruby in its centre. The work looked similar to the apple jewelry that the Lord himself always wore, but with a much smaller gem. “Wear that on your collar, and none of our guards will ever stand in your way.” She accepted the brooch gingerly, marveling at how the light of the lantern flickered in the stone’s centre. Fastidious couldn’t have provided her with a clearer reminder of why she was working for him. Every step she took now was toward a life where one day she and Luna could forget that the world was cold outside. Never mind what Capstan had to say. She would find that better life, and this was the way to get there. “It’s an honour, my Lord,” she said, fastening the brooch onto the collar of her uniform. Fastidious was grinning broadly. “I can only take heart in the knowledge that somepony I can properly trust will be spearheading this investigation. We’ve had a lot of trouble with matters like that lately, you know. First Quill, then Screw, and now this business as well.” “Screw?” She was aware that the chief mechanic had been transferred into some other post, but not that there had been any doubt of his trustworthiness. “Has something happened to change your opinions of him?” The Lord merely chuckled. “No, perhaps I exaggerated slightly. We’ve had our doubts about him for a while, though. If there’s anything you’ve taught us, Celestia, it’s that no amount of prior trust should blind us to the evidence in front of us.” The last word hung in the air between them for a moment. “But if you’re worried after Screw, don’t be. He is still with us, and still doing important work.” Lurching over one last broken cobblestone, the coach cleared the final neighbourhoods of Eridian, and emerged into the empty countryside around the city. With an open road ahead, Celestia could feel the drivers picking up speed. They would likely be at the orchard in only a few minutes. Outside of the city, that chill breeze now had the space to blow more freely, and a few of the gusts even rocked the coach on its suspension. Walking through this would have been absolutely horrid. Celestia would have to be sure that Rosy made something especially hearty for Capstan and Wickerlock tonight. “Now, as to the details of your assignment,” Fastidious said, “we expect that our saboteur will be none too pleased at this new construction. Once we do have all of the presses operating in one building, after all, it should be much more difficult to damage any of them without being noticed. So I would keep a very close eye on things if I were you. Accidents will happen, and some of them might actually be anything but.” Celestia nodded. Tracking down the culprit out of the hundreds of ponies who worked in the orchard would be a tricky job, but luckily she already had three sets of trustworthy eyes and ears that she could rely on. Capstan she could almost certainly manoeuvre into a construction position, and with luck she could find a spot on the project for Wickerlock and Trinity too. It would be much harder for anypony to make mischief with all four of them on the watch. “When you do find something suspicious,” Fastidious continued, “you are to report your findings to my father, or to me if he is occupied elsewhere. As the stallion in charge of the estate, it will be him who metes out the required consequences. And don’t bother yourself with the specifics of that by the way.” He leaned back into his seat for the first time in the whole ride. “My father has a lot of experience dealing with ponies who betray our trust. Once the culprit is found, your only responsibility will be to complete the construction.” “Of course, my Lord.” She nodded again. On the horizon, the Rose et Blanc orchard appeared, shining in the halo of its reserved section of clear sky. The wind would be just as chilly blowing through the orchard, of course, but with the light of the Sun on her shoulders, Celestia knew that it would be a much easier thing to bear. As the coach pulled up to the gate, Fastidious beckoned her forward once more. “I suppose I should be taking my coat back now,” he said. Celestia undid the buttons wordlessly, and felt the cool bite of the air in the coach as soon as the jewel-lined fabric left her body. It was enough to make the feathers on her wings stand up, even though it really was nothing compared to how things had been in the city. When the coach finally came to its smooth, rolling stop, and the driver had opened the door to allow Fastidious to exit, he gave her one last look. “My father has drawn up a pool of workers from which you can form your initial construction teams. You’ll find them at the location called for in the plans. I’ll see you later, Celestia, okay?” “Later indeed,” she answered confidently, sitting still on her seat until he was completely out of the door. Outside, she could see that they were parked right in front of the manor’s entry, and through the house’s open doorway she once again spied the many servants of the house at work, polishing the vases and dusting off the recesses in the wooden walls. Stepping out, she turned around to see the orchard, all neat lines of apple trees, with its own crowd of workers swarming over them and picking every apple in sight. One of those workers was her target, and she was going to find them. “Oh, Celestia!” Fastidious’s voice caught her just as she was about to set off. She looked back to see him standing on the step, a gust of wind tossing the delicate curls of his mane over his shoulder. “It does get cold enough here at night,” he continued. “I’ll have the seamstress make up a coat for you as well. Not like mine, of course,” he chuckled, “but warm enough all the same. Stay safe out there, alright?” “Thank you, Lord Fastidious,” she said, giving him a deep bow. “I won’t let you down.”