It had been about a month since the arrival of Bright Stone and company in Ponyville. The house and property had properly been fixed up into a fully functioning home for the family.
Crystal Hymn had started working at the Boutique as Rarity's assistant of sorts. She was able to help the dressmaker with more intricate designs for the dress as well as some of the winter clothing designs. Mystic Hammer would occasionally help out with the setting of stones or advising Rarity and what stone would go best with which fabric. Rarity even went as far as to set Mystic up with her own private workspace in the shop. Bright Stone then took it upon himself personally to reinforce the security of the shop with his runes.
However, it was Bright Stone who was the busiest out of the whole group. Most of the townsfolk had made it a point to come to the smith to be fitted with a proper pair of shoes. When he wasn't working on shoeing ponies he was usually working on warn tools or farm equipment. Outside this, he did keep himself busy with his own side projects.
The elements would occasionally stop by for a chat to, mostly Rainbow Dash when she wasn't napping or trying to prank someone. She did try that on him once but it was a severe mistake RD doesn't plan on making again, mainly because she doesn't think a hammer to the head is covered by her insurance.
Currently, Brisght Stone was on his way to Canterlot to deliver a commission to his most prevelant clients and long time backers. It took a lot to stay hidden from the public view while also trying to make a living with one of a kind works of art after all. There were very few ways to maintain this lifestyle as well, the two most promonate is to stay off the grid and only send in a piece of grandure that would sell for hte top most bag of bits that could sustain this lifestyle for a number of years or to just have the right contacts so they can act as the middel man in most situations thus leaving the artiasain's identity a total secret.
Obviously, Bright Stone fill somehwere in the midde of these two.
The ponis he was making his way to see though were actually a more of good friends that had comissioned many pieces from him but not for the showfloor but instead for actual use in their line of work. They were the two of his good friends outside of his family that knew his nature and were both actually part of the princess's inner cirlce. They never revealed his nature or work to Princess Celestia in all their time working together as well, to say they could keep a secret was will warranted.
The trained stopped at Canterlot station and Bright stood upand got of. He looked around and noted all the archittur of the pony captial. This was actually his first time setting hoof in this place and its art-style amazed, but the looks he got as he walked down the street somewhat annoyed him to the pointhe wanted to smash their faces with his war-hammer. He pretty much couldn't stand nobles and wanted nothing to do with, only interacting with them out of necessity.
Stone reached into his satchel and pulled out a the silver pocket watch given to him from his first father’s wife from his journey to the other world and hit the button to open it and glanced at the time.
“Hmmm… I still have a while before he scheduled time,” Stone murmured. “I guess I can check out some of the gem stores on the way to the castle.” He retuned the watched, “As long as I don’t linger to one I shouldn’t draw to much attention to myself.”
He walked on and hummed a familiar tune while doing so until he came a cross a hidden away gemstone shop with some rather sizable uncut gems. The smith he was couldn’t pass up the opportunity to by a few of these larger beauties for his personal stock and use in future projects.
Stone entered the shop with a ring o the overhead bell. He poked around and could tell his shop was a great find as all the the gems were top quality, even though the shop looked old and ratty.
“Who’s there?” Came a female voice. Soon an earth pony mare with with an auburn and tail, crimson red coat in a tube top worn jeans, and green googles over her eyes came out behind the counter. “What can I do for you pretty boy?”
“Hmm….” Stone smirked from amusement as most take him for a mare upon seeing him. “How did you know I was a stallion?”
“Simple, the earth told me. The sounds you made, and the way you moved,” She said as she raised a hand and leaned on the counter and pushed her goggles up to reveal a pair of of lavender eyes with white pupils. “Creatures like me are genuinely good at listening.”
“You eyes,” Stone rubbed his chin. “You’re blind, but you not totally blind, even if you listen to the earth. You can still see, if only slight outlines.”
“True. I can see shapes and colors but its sill counts,” the shop owner said as she pulled her goggles back over her eye. “Name’s Dark Shine but most folks call me Shiner. Nice to meet ya,” She held out her hand.
“Bright Stone,” Stone said as he confidently grasped Shiner’s hand.
“Hmmm…” she took note of his grip strength an hand. “You’re a blacksmith of considerable skill aren’t ya fella? What ya down in a shabby gem shop like this?”
“I am a black smith but at the same time I’m also a jewel smith,” Stone crossed his arms, “And I liked what I saw on your display so I came inside.”
“Based on what I heard you’re also wearing about fifty pounds of metal, with about two thirds of it being tools,” Shiner reached into her pocket and pulled out a cigar and lit it. “And it ain’t normal tools either. Hell, the air around you is so saturated in magi. I reckon you’d give Las Pegasus a run for its light shows if every pony could see it. You’re a special class of smith that I’ve only heard stories about from my grandpa. So… what can I get ya?”
Stone smirked, “Let’s make a few deals,” he said as he leaned on the counter across from the mare.
Canterlot Castle Drawbridge…
Given his dealings with the shop pony Shiner had gone off without a hitch Stone was in a pretty good mood, though one wouldn’t be able to tell with him keeping his usual straight face on. Well, someone was about to get on his nerves in the most round about way possible, by doing their job, or something else entirely.
Stone was crossing the draw bridge to the castle when he was suddenly stopped by the guards ponies’ crossing their spears in front of his face. That’s all it took too. Stone only took a glance at the spearheads and he immediately clicked his tongue in disgust at the shoddy conditions of the weapons hampering his progress. Not only were they in disrepair but they were also well-made, but only those with trained eyes could tell by looking at them. At one point these weapons had been somepony else’s pride, but now… they would barely passable as wall decorations in a bar or battle openers even, and that was an insult to bottle openers everywhere.
“What business do you have here?” Guard one asked. “No pony is allowed in armed, let alone armored unless there a foreign diplomat’s escort.”
“If you want to continue then hand over the hammer and armor girly,” the second guard said with thirst in his voice.
Stone already knew the type and situation, he suspected this would happen, what he hadn’t suspected was the state of the weapons being brandished in front of him thoroughly getting under his skin. Taking a deep breath in Stone reached into is saddle bag and begins to rummage around for something until he pulled out a scroll and handed to the first guard.
The guard took it and examed it, noting the blue and gold outline ribbon used to tie it. He knew this deportation all to well as he had seen it many many time when working as a guard under the asshat that Princess Celestia called a nephew.
“Take this back,” he tossed the scroll back at Stone. “I didn’t work my way up to keep dealing with Blueblood’s horses.”
Stone’s eyes narrowed as he started to emit a slightly murderous aura, causing he guards to flinch ever so slightly
“You better read the scroll before tossing it back in my face,” Stone warned.
“Wait you’re a guy?” The second guard said in disbelief.
“Last time someone asked me that they weren’t left standing very long,” Stone glared.
“That sounded like a threat,” the first guard smirked,
“Yea it did,” the second guard agreed, “and that mean’s we can act!”
The guards jumped Stone with the stallion only giving an annoyed sighed as his personal shield activated and sent the troublemakers back with a zap,
“H-how d-d-did you act-t-t-tivate y-y-your s-shield-d-d?” The grist guard jittered with a deep glare.
“T-this c-c-c-count’s as as-s-s-salute!” The second shakily pointed.
“Actually its self defense,” came a new voice.
The guards shakily turned and saw Prince Blueblood.
“S-s-Sir,” the guards stood up and saluted.
“I figured you’d show up about now old friend,” Blueblood walked past the jittering fools and looked at Stone.
“S-s-sir, t-this s-st-t-allion as-ss-us lted-“ the first guard started to say but was quickly shut off.
“Save it for your hearing,” Blueblood wave his hand. “I saw the whole thing. You asshats didn’t even bother to unroll the scroll Bright Stone brought with him and placed right in your hand!” The prince levitate said scroll in his magic as he fumed. “This stallion is also the first and foremost when it comes to the ancient runic languages. Not only that but his is also the only known prolific practitioner of runic magic and runic smithing! So tell me why, under my aunt’s scorching ball of fire in the sky would you turn down the only scroll in his fill with the knowledge to not only translate but also use ancient runes?!?!”
“Not to mention he’s a very accomplished blacksmith and fighter from Stalliongrad!” Blue yelled as he threw the scroll at the guards. “You two were just looking for a reason to knock somepony around and you had to pick the one creature that welcomes a fighting and bloodshed in front of the damn castle!”
“Can I knock some teeth out or are we going to go inside Blue?” Stone smiled as he cracked his knuckles a big grin as he looked down at the shaking guards.
“I would say go ahead but the scene is already big enough with me yelling my head off in front of the damn castle at these two idiots,” Blueblood sighed as he rubber the bridge of his nose. “Besides, we have another guest who urgently needs your skills and you know how she gets when she’s kept waiting.”
“Yea so let’s get going,” Stone agreed as he rubbed the back of his neck as the two walked on leveling teh idiot duo still twitching, having just been put in their place by not just a very Marish-looking stallion but also the supposed idiot mare chasing prince.
“Ah-“
“D-D-don’t,” the first said. “We-e-e-e let t-t-t-the capt-t-t-rain know…” he smiled evilly.
Blueblood and Stone walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle.
“So, this is the first time in Canterlot,” Blue spoke up. “Have to say I was quite surprised when you offered to meet here instead of at at one of the upper trade towns of the mountains.”
“We moved out of Stalliongrad so it makes more sense to meet you here,” Stone shrugged.
“Yes I know,” Blueblood groaned out of annoyance. “You didn’t even bother to write me and let me know!”
“Sorry Blue but it was a necessary precaution,” Stone sincerely apologized. “As I told you in one of my previous letters, we’d been planning to leave for Stalliongrad some time.”
“The nobles out there are more ruthless than the one here,” Blue sighed. “Bot what’s worse is that they're not even discreet about what they want. Here they try and save face but out in your neck of the would they’re more than willing to brag about their conquests. You northern ponies truly are frightening.”
“Yes we are,” Stone nodded once.
“I take it the swift departure has to do with that little mare you always mention,” Blue looked over his shoulder. “The singer, Crystal Hymn correct?”
“Yes and no,” Bright shrugged. “We were going to leave and bring her along anyways. She showed up a few days before and insisted we leave right away. Mother and I saw no issue with so we hitched the cart to our bear and did so. We didn’t know her father had plans to marry her off. She didn’t tell us to later.”
“From what you’ve told me, she’s a beauty with a voice to match,” Blue motioned a hand to the sky fro dramatic effect, “Not to mention she comes from a top pedigree and powerful background,” he crossed his arms. “With all that in combination it’s no wonder she would be sought after so openly, and the fact that arranged marriages aren’t uncommon among nobles isn’t uncommon. Even here in Canterlot it’s widely practiced to help consolidate power and money, not to mention form alliances.”
“Hmmm….” Stone snorted.
“Speaking of power,” Blue looked over his shoulder. “We’re taking the long way around so no pony will see you, especailly my aunt and newish aunt.”
“They both know what I am. I made it perfectly clear to leave me out of the royalty and succession bullshit,” Stone waved off the comment.
“I’m guessing it was during the Summer Sun Celebration and the Nightmare Moon incident?” Blue sighed with a bit of relief.
Stone gave a single nod, “They still don’t know that we’ve been working together for some time however.”
“If they know about you and what you are then I won’t cover for you if we come across them,” Blue warned.
“You don’t have to,” Stone threw up both hands in a nonchalant manner. “I made it perfectly clear on my standing with them.”
“Just making my own standing clear as well,” Blue smirked as they stopped at a large golden oak door. Blue reached for the knob and opened it too reveal his other guest, “I’ve brought him.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Ms. Yearling,” Stone smirked as he walked into the room.
