Hey guys,
I'm back in the Empire for now, and you'll be happy to know that I told the captain he was right about the vacation. He keeps saying he's been where I am, but he never goes into details, and I'm afraid to ask for any.
Everything looks extra sparkly after getting used to cloud houses again. I'd suggest bringing sunglasses when you come to visit, since it's easy to get blinded if the sun shines off a building the wrong way. Or a local. It never seems to bother the crystal ponies, but maybe they just instinctively know when to avert their eyes.
The new, local recruits are making progress with their training, but it may be a while before we can head back to Equestria. We don't just need guards, but officers, and that takes more than the basics. The captain doesn't want to cut corners, and given that he's also the prince, I can see why.
I might be extra busy for the next couple of weeks. King Thorax is making a visit, so with his royal entourage we'll be up to our ears in changelings, and I don't doubt they'll want to train with us. He's still working on building up his own guard, too, after all. I'll still do my best to make time to write.
Keep looking after my guitar. I'm looking forward to getting my wings on it again next time I visit. Maybe we can write a few new songs in the next jam session, instead of just playing the old ones.
Your Friend,
Flash Sentry
Flash let go of his quill, and rubbed at his sore jaw with his hoof. It was a indicator of how out-of-practice he was with mouthwriting that a short letter like this could hurt, and had him all the more determined to get back into practice. With a combination of hoof, mouth, and wing, he carefully slid the letter into an envelope and applied the stamps, placing it next to his bed so she'd remember to mail it off in the morning.
On his bedside table was a photograph, one that he'd immediately gone to find a frame for once he'd pulled it out of its hiding place. Three pegasi and a griffon, all just barely out of school, were standing together in their graduation caps, giving joyful smiles to the camera.
Those days were in the past, he knew that. But they didn't have to be completely gone.
Flash put on his helmet, and marched toward the door. And for the first time in a long while, he felt like a pony wearing armour, instead of armour wearing a pony.