A hundred miles off the narrow griffon coastline, Rarity roosted in the crow’s nest of the Equestrian warship. Sailing all around her in the choppy warm waters was the single Unionite flagship and a squadron of Lunarian vessels: four so-called battleships and six smaller protected cruisers, along with two armored transports for marine fliers.
She never did invest herself in naval knowledge, but even she could see the masts were vestigial holdovers, relegated to signal flags instead of the vast sails her ship still possessed. Armored turrets bristled along the flanks and odd trumpet-like projections all over the tops of the ships were a uniform feature.
She sighed, idly wondering how daunting it would be to go against such a force. Unification was never going to happen. We could push them to the sea and no further.
Annoyed feminine grunting came below, yet Rarity didn’t move until Sweetie Belle managed to hook a foreleg over the lip of the crow’s nest and pull herself high enough to see her older sister. “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“I hope not for very long.” Rarity eyed her sister shamble into the nest, nearly colliding with her in the cramped confines. “Investigations must be conducted with care and expediency. Like stitching together a protective ward in the midst of battle.”
“Yes, yes, I know.” Sweetie grumbled at the same anecdote all over again. She readjusted her fedora, it having gone askew. “I’ve been having trouble with that assignment you gave me.”
Rarity nodded slowly, fully expecting the issue. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. We’ve been asking the question of unification for centuries now. Why do you think our ancestors gave up and tried to use force and enstripement?”
“Yes, about that, I was hoping you could grant me a leave of absence.”
Arching a bemused eyebrow, Rarity surveyed the ocean around them before looking at her sister. “Where exactly?”
Sweetie Belle stepped up to the bow side of the nest and pointed at the Lunarian flagship. “The Nightingale. I wish to present the question to Lady Twilight.”
Rarity frowned deeply, her ears twitched with nervous energy. “As much as I would like to speak with her as well, we’ve been mandated to cause as little fuss as possible outside of our task of arbitration. It could lead to accusations of espionage or endanger our credibility as arbitrators.”
“Could we invite her here?”
Rarity rubbed her chin, weighing her options. She could wait until the proceedings were about to begin, but getting a proper answer out of Twilight would be difficult. “I doubt it. I don’t know how… secure she feels in what the born-and-raised Lunarians think of her. She may decline out of hoof if it could lead to unwanted questions.
“Still-” Rarity stopped, her curiosity winning out. “You always lose the battles you don’t fight. I’ll try to arrange it.”
Down into the sweltering hot belly of the Nightingale, Twilight and Applejack were fully absorbed in studying every facet of the triple expansion Irons engine. After days of instruction, the boatswain offered to let her run the thing. Watching the pressure gauges, tweeting wheels and levers to make it all run just-so, it felt like Applejack had come home.
A farmer’s life might have its own trials and peacefulness, but the sea and the engine room was where her heart belonged.
Twilight in turn studied the machinery with great enthusiasm. Her first taste of engineering came from the sea, and the clamoring, bearing heart of the Nightingale was a step down memory lane. She was here to study it all for her own work of course, but at times, she could feel herself wanting to ask her father a question about one thing or another. Only to remember he was far away. It made her homesick, far more than she even knew.
Applejack tugged her unarmored wing. “You alright, boss? You’re crying.”
“Am I?” Twilight used a wing finger to wipe an eye and was embarrassed it came away wet. “It must be the heat,” she lied poorly. Looking at the other engineers, she adopted her aristocratic airs out of habit. “I should grab something to drink anyhow. Do you want anything?”
“A bottle of anything will do.” Applejack debated on if she should say more, but Twilight was already headed for the stairs before the sailor could think of anything meaningful. Shucks, sugar cube, Ah hope you’re alright.
Twilight made her way to the top deck and meandered over to the railing at the stern close to one of the flag wires. She looked out and breathed deeply of the salty air. However, any calming that could have given her was marred by the sight of the two wooden ships in the middle of the formation She ached to see her three children again, and the ships echoed memories of her old Canterlot home. Weary of the occasional sailor walking by and the ever watchful flier patrols overhead, she decided to move to the bow when she noticed signal flashing coming from the Equestrian ship.
She didn’t know the meaning of it, only what it was. It's probably just a wellness check or the like.
Ultimately, she took to watching the distant sailor flash the lights, and tried to puzzle out what it tried to say. It served as a good distraction, so much so she didn’t notice anyone approaching until she heard a firm cough behind her. She looked back to see the former crown prince, Admiral Pale Light. The dark furred earth stallion had lost none of his regal bearing, and had blended it well with customary naval calm and collected poise.
“Lady Twilight, enjoying some time away from your desk and engine room I see.” A coy, barely perceivable smile cracked his lips. “All that soot was starting to stain your fur.”
Her face burned as Twilight dusted herself off, and was mortified by how much dust and dirt was coming off of her. “Y-yes, quite so.”
After a few seconds of watching her dance between frantic grooming and trying to remain dignified, Pale Light took pity and reached into his coat. “Here. A soot brush might be a wise investment should you ever find yourself in a ship’s engine room again. Just be careful or you’ll pull your fur out.”
The bristly fine comb looked painful to use, but bathing with water out at sea was a luxury few could afford. Thankfully, she was one of those few. “I thank you, Admiral. But I still might require your bath when the proceedings begin.”
He laughed richly as she claimed the gifted brush. “But of course. Unfortunately, offering advice is not why I’m here. The justicar and her crony wish to come aboard and converse with you.” He sniffed derisively at the notion. “I considered dismissing it out of hoof, but I suspected you might have a personal touch to add.”
“Did the message say why they wish to talk?”
“Some nonsense about a dress and what not.”
Twilight hummed inquisitively while staring out at the Equestria man vessel. She could see figures milling about, yet the most noticeable were the pegasi teams adding wind to the sails. It was a daily battle to give the vessel enough speed to keep up with the steam driven squadron around them. The Lunarians themselves aided the Unionite ship. “I thank you for the message, Admiral. If it is not too much trouble, I would ask that you permit their indulgence. We can speak right here if that is best.”
A surprised, yet subdued hum escaped him. Pale Light took a ship’s whistle from his pocket and blew three long notes before pocketing it once again. He spoke as his signalmares gave a reply. “And here I thought she’d be the last person you’d wish to speak to. You don’t look like somepony for petty insults. Or is it word about your far away parents that you want?” His tone softened at the end, sudden guilt over his earlier harsh words.
A slight grin cracked Twilight’s subdued expression as she gave up trying to look presentable. She was an engineer, not just a noblemare, a little soot and occasional grease stain will just have to be tolerated. “I’ve heard the crew talking. An inquisitor by any other name is still a horror. There is a pony underneath that mystique, and she’s a remarkable seamstress.”
“A seamstress?” Pale Lighted coughed a disbelieving laugh behind a hoof. “My dear, there is a time and place to have a measuring done.”
Off in the distance, a pegasus chariot pulled away from the wooden ship of the line, as if they were desperate to arrive before the admiral changed his mind. “I don’t know, Admiral, sometimes we need to remind ourselves that our enemies are ponies too. Lest we grow too fond of hate and forget the lessons of Harmony.”
For a long moment, Pale Light was left speechless at being dressed down so politely. “I - I would say hate is a strong word, my lady.” He sighed, resolving to meet the justicar as well. “Impersonal would be more apt, I’d say.” He shook his head at his little truly made a difference. “You may see Harmony take root, Lady Twilight, but I fear only my children’s children will live it.”
“Perhaps.” The chariot was closing in now, and she only had a few moments left before the chariot arrived. “But with any luck, I might be able to give you a glimpse into that future.”
The two escorts for the chariot directed it down to the waiting pair at the stern. The chariot eased its way onto the ample room on the deck. Rarity didn’t bother waiting for a full stop and deftly hopped down with a graceful landing. An act her sister was not too keen on mimicking so she waited until the wheels hit the deck.
“Ahh, Lady Twilight, Admiral, I thank you both for accepting our request.” Rarity’s eyes darted all over Twilight’s soot markings. “I see you’ve had a productive day.”
The comment renewed Twilight’s self consciousness, and she had to fight the urge to use the brush in front of everyone. “Yes, well in a field such as mine, one can't be afraid of a little dirt.” Even as the words left her mouth the perfectionist in her screamed in terror at how filthy she let herself get in public.
Rarity suppressed a chuckle, fully able to read her masked panic attack on Twilight's face. “Ha! Don’t we all? And don’t fret, Darling, the kind of dirt I sometimes end up in can be just as difficult to wash out.”
By now, Sweetie Belle had stepped up to her sister’s side, giving Pale Light an excuse to expedite matters. “I can only imagine. Now, Justicar, your message said you wanted to discuss an inquiry?”
“Quite right, quite right,” she repeated as Rarity stepped to the side to give Sweetie a small magical push forward. “Go on, Sweetie.”
Now that she stood before the very mare that got her horrendously mocked by association in the academy, Sweetie Belle wasn’t sure how to take the other face of Twilight Sparkle. This face, bereft of the finery of her station, was dirty and damp from sweat, like that of a common worker. She had to shake the thought away to focus. “I - Ah - I had hoped to ask you something before we all get horribly busy later. Lady Twilight, do you think reunification is possible?”
Both Lunarians were taken aback by the unexpected question. Pale Light recovered first, but held his tongue as it was not his question to answer, and a part of him was interested in how Twilight would answer.
For her part, Twilight found she was ultimately not surprised the question existed, but that someone like Rarity had allowed it to be voiced so plainly. Perhaps this is her way of adopting honesty. The theory sounded shaky even to her, but it was all she could think of.
“The only thing more dangerous than a question is an answer, Aspirant.”
Rarity flashed a knowing smirk. “Merchant’s Creed two oh eight I believe. We can not always hide behind old wisdom. I believe we all know where that led to.”
“We shouldn’t be so quick to abandon all of it, I think,” Pale Light countered with an even keel.
“As you say,” Rarity conceded, more out of politeness than agreement.
The interruptions might have left others feeling dubious about it all, but Sweetie held firm, letting Twilight decide on how to answer.
At last, Twilight felt like she’d end up doing herself a disservice by dodging the question a second time. “If you must know, Aspirate, yes I think it is possible.”
Giving a fretful look at the admiral to Twilight’s left, Sweetie Belle started wondering if she should have asked for privacy. “Would it be too much to ask how?”
“Not at all. Equestria has asked the question of force for a millennia, and Lunaria’s answer of refusal has culminated into this,” Twilight stomped her hoof on the deck. “With a navy you can not hope to rival and an ocean between us, the only path to unification now is peace. And like it or not, you have to actually consider Lunaria’s disposition to that particular question.” With a jeering and playful manner, Twilight flared a wing at Pale Light.
Faced with such an answer, Pale Light couldn’t bring himself to play along, and instead gave it some serious thought, leaving Twilight hanging. “Five years ago, I’d say unification was laughable. With Luna’s return however, the answer is… not so certain.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Twilight righted herself, and idly bushed a particular dark patch of soot with a wing.
Overjoyed her question was answered with such insight, Sweetie Belle tried to withdraw her notebook and pencil, only to find her magic painful to even draw from. The ship, you dodo! With everything still fresh in her mind, Sweetie didn’t want to lose any of it and couldn’t trust her mouth writing to save her life. “Thank you both for such wisdom. I should return to my cabin and write it all down before I forget even a single word!”
“Go ahead of me, Darling, I have one other matter concerning the investigation to discuss with them.”
Barely waiting until Sweetie had boarded the chariot, Twilight hummed out of interest. There was only one thing the justicar would openly speak about investigating. “You risk your position as arbiter if you do this.”
“Not from where I stand,” Rarity countered flatly yet with firm conviction. She looked into each of their eyes, knowing full well they still saw her as an inquisitor. “While only an alicorn can hope to embody the six paths of Harmony, we mere mortals can at least master one. A justicar’s duty is to Honesty, or more accurately, to the truth, no matter how ugly it can be. I would like to count on the Lunarian delegation to support this endeavor.”
“You think the griffon Emperor is trying to deceive us?” Pale Light was growing concerned that even the Equestrians were starting to think that. That's why I brought half the second fleet with me.
“Possibly, but just as likely not.” Rarity fished out a small notebook from her trench coat. “The Unionites stressed that when it comes to criminal justice, if the matter reaches the Emperor and he makes a ruling, it is final. Understandable in of itself, except for the little issue of just how final it actually is. There are no appeals, no further investigation, and no missed evidence. To imply the prisoners he brings might be innocent is tantamount to a slap across his face.”
Twilight scratched her chin as a dark cloud fell over her until she eventually nodded. “How utterly... blunt. The whole matter suggests a manipulator. The people want justice, Miss Rarity, and that begins with the real perpetrators being identified. Should that prove to be somepony other than the prisoners, neither Luna nor the people will care if it is inconvenient for the griffons.”
“I have to agree.” Pale Light’s jaw was wound tight as the implications for such a discovery grew. “And if the emperor should object, I will ensure it is short lived.”
Their reactions were expected yet still unpleasant. “I’m glad our positions are clear.”
The time came early on an overcast summer day. Emperor Geraldy stood at the head of an entourage thirty strong. However, further back, hidden among crags and bends of the mountain pass, camped an army of ten thousand. They were a last resort should the Lunarian delegation prove to be an elaborate trap to decapitate the empire.
Four of his eight children were there as a formality as he only wanted Gallus in particular to attend. His fate will be tied to the peace that still stands. Five smaller processions stood along the flanks carrying banners of his most powerful houses.
The gloom over Shady Sands did not hide the enormity of the Lunarian fleet. It was moored in a circular formation well out of range of any cannon the griffons could have brought to bear. Not that they had any real hope of damaging the alleged metal monsters they heard about from the Union.
“This is not a delegation, it’s an invasion force!” Gilda cried, a claw tightly gripping her pistol. “I knew this would happen.”
The aging emperor remained silently watching the fleet as others bickered around him. All he could see were legions of pegasi and thestrals invading, and cutting a swath through the aviaries before the mountains took their toll and the Lunarians were driven back. The worst of it though, he knew the Emerald Horde was watching, and begging for that to happen. The tiresome dance of politics. If Gilda wasn’t so excitable, she’d have made a decent heir.
Standing close by was Warlord Char, a monstrously large griffon clad in a crisp Sky Marshal's uniform. His jet black feathers and grey fur made him blend in well with the dark rock of the mountain. His armored claws dug into the stone as the stress gnawed at him. His keen eyes could see the rumors were true about the Lunarian navy. He knew how to assail wooden sailing ships, but a vessel that was practically a small steel island?
“This is not an invasion, you dim-witted jane, it’s a warning,” Char directed scornfully at Gilda. “You must be cautious, your excellency.”
Of all of the griffon warlords, Char was both the most powerful, and the most ambitious. Geraldy kept him close lest he raise a rebellion in secret. Geraldy nodded in rare agreement with Char, yet he was less than pleased about the muttering of the other warlords in earshot. Most were in a mocking tone, however he had no time to discern what was being said as a group of hippogriffs were flying in from the sea.
The queen’s size gave her away at a distance, and Geraldy allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief. He waited for them to land before he flared his wings in greeting. “Ahh, Queen Novos, I thought I spotted a ship of yours down there.”
Flaring her wings as well, Novos finally found comfortable company. “The Seaspray is a favorite of mine,” Novos folded her wings and stepped up to Geraldy . She gave nodding acknowledgements to the various warlords who reciprocated warmly. Of all the Unionites, the griffons respected the hippogriffs the most for their valor, even Char gave her a respectful, friendly greeting. “I only wish our meeting was under better circumstances.”
A huff of a laugh escaped the old bird. “It feels like we can never pull away unless the world is in flames.”
“You were quite lucky by the way,” Novos hinted with a grim tone. “Summer Flame and I were due to have an audience with Luna the very day of the attack.”
“You were there?!” Geraldy suddenly felt as if a cannon ball had flown right past his face and was only now realizing it. The warlords around him were equally surprised and murmuring sprang up around him. “Then I suppose I have both of you to thank for today rather than a war we don’t need that would already be upon us.”
“Probably you more than that flaming irritant,” Char chimed in. Some of his warlords were insulted by the emperor’s words, but with Char in agreement, none of them spoke a word against the sentiment.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Novos cautioned with a shiver. “We still need to convince the ponies to trade coin and land instead of ball and shot.”
“Ponies?” Geraldy narrowed his eyes in vague suspicion. “Does Luna have a council she answers to?” He asked with disbelief.
Now Novos was getting nervous again. Griffon pride was paramount, and she knew this would not go well. I need to put this as diplomatically as possible or everything will fall to pieces before the hour is up. “Matters in Tranquility are very demanding, and she could not be here. So she sent two of her advisors and a speaker in her place.”
“She’s not here?!” Geraldy roared with indignation. “Luna threatens us with war and she can’t be bothered to show her face?” He wanted to punch something, stab, shoot, something for this insult. The feeling was matched by the griffons at his side. “What? Is she rallying her armies to march on us even now? Is all of this a farce?!”
His anger was speaking faster than his senses. He faced Gallus with contempt in his voice. “If she’s sending advisors, then so shall we. Boy, you will go in my stead.”
Novos fretted and stepped in before the young Griffon could say anything. “Your excellency, I urge you to reconsider. This is a genuine attempt at peace, but if you send the fool, you might as well send the army instead.” She knew him well enough to know he’d have a few thousand troops waiting nearby.
“What choice have I? I will not negotiate with anyone except Luna, perhaps Eclipse, but no one else.”
Char saw his chance to to step in and offer himself, but he paused, waiting for the emperor to look his most dire. That old fool’s failure to protect the missionaries and his worthless seed proves his family is not fit for the throne. The only question is, should I make my move now and have the ponies sign the treaty with me, or let Geraldy buffer me from any failed talks?
Char was not alone in how to respond, as others were starting to look more to him for direction. “I’ll do it,” Gallus stated defiantly, surprising Char and his faction at the youth’s audacity. “But, father, I need your word that any agreement I make will be honored. It’d be pointless otherwise.”
Clenching his beak, Geraldy’s wits were finally catching up to him, but he had said too much to fully reverse course now. He didn’t trust the boy with a platoon, let alone any talks. He’d get rolled over and give away half the aviaries! Scratching his beak, he turned to Novos for a way out. “Which ship will be hosting the talks? Yours perhaps?”
Pointing a claw out to an unfamiliar masted ship sailing close to the center, Novos tried to sound as convincing as possible. “That one. It’s an Equestrian warship, I’ve spoken with the captain and he is an honorable one.”
I was told to expect them to mediate, but to do so on one of their ships? Perhaps it is for the best. Char wouldn’t dare cause problems that could irritate Equestria as well.
“What about my escort?”
“The Equestrian marines will be providing protection. You, two advisors, the prisoners, and five honor guards are what is expected. The same goes for the Lunarians. Anybody beyond that will be turned away or shot if need be.”
Nodding in growing acceptance, Geraldy hummed at last in approval. “It may have been centuries ago, but our ancestors and the Equestrians were allies in battle a number of times until we fled the old world… Very well, I will attend in person.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Novos felt she was finally going to get a chance to return home without bloodshed. “Marvelous. Once you finish today’s talks, would you care to join me on my ship so we can catch up? I’ve learned a great deal during my time in the pony capital.”
Rubbing his neck, Geraldy grumbled aloud. “If only I could do so before the talks, but making them wait any longer would be a poor showing. But yes, I would gladly join you, old friend.”
“Then I’ll break out the processo and sweetmeats. I had several bottles brought over, and I’ve been dying to enjoy good company.”
Geraldy gave a rich belly laugh. “You always knew how to put too much class into your parties, but if things go well, who am I to turn down those tiny little cheese cubes you like so much?”
Pinkie Pie stood on the deck of the CRN Sun’s Last Kiss with a nervous tick in her right eye. Equestrian style was evident among the woodwork from mast to keel, and it kept dragging painful memories of her enslavement. The appearance of the griffon delegation over the water only made things worse for her nerves.
Just think of it as a board meeting. Just a board meeting… Pinkie kept repeating that mantra over and over again until a familiar wing pulled her in close.
“You’re going to do fine, Pinkie. Rainbow and I will be right there with you.”
The love and gentle care in her sister’s voice cooled Pinkie’s nerves. She wanted to lean into the hug, but feared it could be seen as a sign of weakness to the approaching griffons. So she had to be content with a brief nuzzle against Twilight’s cheek. “Thanks, Twily.”
A light chuckle escaped the pegacorn as she returned the gesture before separating. Now it was her turn to make sure Pinkie’s business dress was immaculate. She wore a slightly simplified mare’s cut of a three piece suit with a skirt instead of pants. Twilight wore a form fitting ensemble, typical for fliers, under her armor’s leather jacket.
“Don’t thank her yet,” Rainbow cautioned as she stared at the approaching griffons. “We have to survive the day first.” She wore her light battle uniform, sans her rifle, and looked almost more underdressed than if she had done without clothes at all. At least it was all ironed and starched.
“Speaking of which we should take our places,” Twilight advised as she turned to leave the forecastle. Pinkie was quick to follow after her with Rainbow trailing behind in the air.
Space had been cleared out between the central mast and the forecastle for a table brought over from Tranquility. It was large enough for six people, with the open deck and skies offering plenty of space for guards and witnesses.
As the griffons drew near, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Fluttershy emerged from below deck in a mild hurry. Rarity gave Twilight an acknowledging nod before pulling her group back to the quarterdeck for the reception.
Equestrian pegasus marines lined the skies, but gave way for the griffons to pass and to land on the quarterdeck, prompting Pinkie and the others to follow after Rarity.
Flanked by his first mate and other officers, the captain gave his guests plenty of space for a few to land. “Emperor Geraldy, welcome aboard the Sun’s Last Kiss. I am her captain, Hackleback.” He presented both his staff and Rarity’s entourage. When it came to introducing the Lunarians, the griffons’ brief good spirits evaporated for a collective dour mood.
Geraldy sized Pinkie Pie up, and was irritated by what he found. Two merchants and a slipshod soldier. This is insulting. Had they been griffons, the prismatic bat pony would have been reprimanded so hard he’d have drummed her out of the army. “Lady Pinkie Pie…” He already found the name tasted bitter. “Shall we get this over with?”
Squaring herself up, Pinkie Pie put on her best business smile and gave a small shake of her head. “In due time, your highness. I take it those are the assassins?”
Geraldy did not follow her gaze, but he did lift a claw and pointed two fingers to the deck. “They are indeed.” Escorted by one sentry each, the three prisoners were unceremoniously dumped onto the deck. Each of them looked beaten, bruised, and close to emaciated. “We’ve had to force them to eat and drink long enough to be brought before you.”
Hiding a scowl, Pinkie gave a quick nod. “So I see. Were you able to discover why they did this? From my understanding eating a civilized being, no matter how hated, is taboo among your people.”
“It is,” Geraldy insisted sternly, feeling his honor was being further besmirched simply by standing close to the guilty. “As for why, it hardly matters. They were found…” He grew visibly disgusted. “In the act. They are the ones you want.”
Pinkie felt she had to be careful. Causing any unnecessary insult would make future talks difficult. Luna had given her two mandates. Secure the guilty, and gain the rights to the Grey Plains. War was on the table, and she knew Rainbow Dash would demand it if things turned sour. “Lunaria wants justice, your highness, and even if these prisoners are indeed the culprits, merely having them is not enough. We require motives. This isn’t a simple poisoning or knife in the dark. This crime made a statement. Luna wants to know exactly what that statement was.”
Geraldy snorted dismissively at the roundabout statements and posturing. No amount of poise or grace from anyone other than a soldier or minister held much weight on his scales. Merchants, least of all. “And what exactly do you want? Once the prisoners are in your custody, you can question them all you like.”
“Because the griffon character has been assassinated as thoroughly as our missionaries,” Pinkie Pie rebuked with a firm tone, before quickly sliding back into a customer service smile. “You may not give two slips about what the common pony thinks of you, but Empress Luna does.” Pinkie turned to Rarity who stepped up to stand between both parties. "In light of this, we have requested the services of Justicar Rarity Belle."
Bow respectfully, Rarity carried herself with a deeply professional air. “In pursuant of this matter, I must humbly ask of you that a few of your entourage be available for interviews as well.”
An inquisitor being humble? That’s a lark. Twilight had to keep that thought from reaching her face.
Pinkie Pie hoped that including Rarity would give the Emperor more reason to agree, but the griffon was difficult to read. Between his beak, smaller eyes, and unfamiliar body language, she couldn’t tell if he was agreeable or rethinking the whole matter. So she pushed forward to sweeten the deal. “I have been authorized to demand more lenient compensation should the findings prove…” Pinkie hesitated, trying to find the right word. “Enlightening.”
Perhaps the idea did sound appealing, but Geraldy was suspicious of the ponies’ motives, Equestrian and Lunarian alike. His kind’s friendship with the Equestrians may be historical, but perhaps it was too far in the past now that he listened to them. Ultimately, the investigation offered an opportunity to hear Queen Novos’ information on the ponies. “Very well. I had a doctor monitoring the prisoners, she will be commanded to join you here, along with my son.” Gallus shot him a nervous look, yet his father did not look away from Pinkie and Rarity. “He was closest to both the prisoners and the missionaries. If anyone will suit your needs, it will be him.”
“Your own son?” Rarity was diplomatically taken aback, but after hearing about his court from Summer Flame, she was hardly surprised. “You are very generous.”
For his part, Gallus was not blind to being thrown to the wolves. Yet he still felt guilt over the missionaries’ deaths, and if aiding the investigation might help, then any objections died long before they reached his throat. Instead, he meekly dipped his head with a small hope he could do some good. “I am at your disposal, justicar.”
Later in the afternoon, Rarity, her sister, Fluttershy, and Gallus were watching a group of unicorns empower a room spanning spell array in what used to be a secondary cargo hold. All of whom were specialists inherited from the inquisition who for one reason or another never wore the gold dusters or the new trench coats.
Sitting in the center of it all was one of the prisoners, a beaten and battered tom who was missing his wing feathers. Scabbed over claw marks marred his form from beak to tail. Manacles bound his claws while blunted leather gloves kept his claws from causing harm. Presently, he was under a sleep spell and laid down in the otherwise empty half of the room. The ritual spell being weaved would blanket him in an illusion among other things.
Presently though, Rarity was waiting for those illusions to be completed. So she spent her time questioning Gallus, truly the first griffon she ever held a proper conversation with.
As for the prince himself, Gallus was trapped between nervousness, and dare he admit it, curiosity. Faithful Hymn had made it his mission to be friendly and fatherly, these ponies however were under no such obligation. It was a chance to see a truer side of ‘harmonious’ ponies.
“Prince Gallus, I must thank you for participating in these matters, voluntarily or not.” Rarity offered a cup of warm monkey tea in her magic. She had been saving such expensive tea for important guests, and a prince fit the bill quite nicely.
Accepting the cup with a touch of hesitancy, he nodded in thanks. “I know my father will have to be coerced into this, but allow me to extend my apologies for the whole thing. He may have allowed the missionaries to stay, but he only did so because of me.”
“So I’ve been told. Did you know the prisoner before the incident?”
“Only in passing.” Gallus’ nerves were getting to him and he started scratching a foreleg. “He never seemed bothered by the detail, nor by the requests the missionaries asked of him. He was agreeable company from what I hear. He had been up for promotion.”
Fluttershy frowned and moved a lock of hair out of her eyes. “Does he have a name?”
Sucking in a fretful breath, Gallus turned his gaze upon the sleeping prisoner. “He used to. This may not be much of a custom among ponies, but a griffon’s name ties him to the ancestors. When the Seers disinherited him and the others their names were taken from them. If you must use a name, this one used to be called Gregory Climes.”
“Taking one's name… Quite the intriguing punishment.” Rarity tapped her cheek with the pencil she was using to write notes. “I believe I have enough.” She closed her notebook and gave it over to Sweetie Belle. “It is time to get some answers.”
As Rarity stepped into the illusions, the griffon doctor touched down on the deck, concealing a very particular flower.