Valor is Magic

by NotSoSubtle


Chapter 4: A Talk Between Friends

A Talk Between Friends

From her temporary office in the university, Princess Luna watched little fires being put out in the windows of The Royal Canterlot Castle. Hours ago she had been told griffin grenades had cracked its foundation in a few places, and with a heavy heart she had ordered the castle grounds evacuated for everypony's safety. There had been real concern that the east wing would collapse or that the entire structure would have to be demolished and rebuilt.

She should have had more faith in Canterlot. Once the griffins had retreated, a private citizen had rallied the ponies of the city to aid the fire brigades and engineers in saving the structures of the city, starting with the castle. Ponies from all over the city had rushed to bring water or lumber for bracing, sometimes even from their own homes. It had not been in vain. Real repairs would take time, but for now Luna and others took solace in knowing the castle would persevere to shine another day. The building was a symbol of authority and purity in Equestria, and it would be restored.

Just like my sister.

Princess Luna shivered at the thought and turned from the office window. There were too many important things for her to do, and indulging in such distractions was a waste of time and energy. With the enemy driven off, the fires quenched, and the wounded getting attention, ponies had begun to take measure of the damage that been done and the lives that were lost forever. Her gaze floated to a stack of scrolls sitting on the desk nearby. One of Petronel’s analysts, a young stallion named Running Footer, had brought them right after she had finally adjourned the emergency meeting.

Luna might not have been as approachable as her elder sibling, but she had always felt a kinship with the guards and the military ponies around the castle. Some of the friendships of soldiers might have looked cold and distant to uninitiated ponies, but behind all the structure and tradition was a core respect and trust that they could count on each other in any circumstance or peril. After a year of effort, Luna knew the names of almost every officer and guard in the castle, a feat that still surprised a pony on occasion. It was a trivial way for a princess to show her appreciation, but one she thought meaningful.

Sitting on top of the stack of scrolls was a castle casualty report from the castle garrison. When the analyst delivered them right after the war council, she had given orders to her guards to turn away all visitors, but the quiet time alone had given her thoughts space to wander. Tearing her eyes from the castle snapped her out of the haze. She had responsibilities, and if she couldn’t handle mere after-action reports she would be of no use to a nation at war. Finally resolved, she used her magic to open the first report scroll, and started to read.

It was a simple table. Two columns followed a brief official header that identified and dated the document. On the left side was a list of names, and on the right the status of the pony. The header made some note of another memo that contained a list of injuries. This report only listed those missing and…Luna couldn’t even think the word. Slowly she started reading the names, one at a time. Her stomach twisted in knots as she worked her way through the list. Memories of guards opening doors, or bowing, or just silently standing guard came to mind as she read, each connected with a name on the ledger. One name in particular came with a surge of happy remembrances.

Oh, not Silver Mist… The mare had been one of the Night Order Royal Guard's earliest members after Luna’s return, and its first unicorn. She had been a kind voice to the new initiates to contrast with Nova Drive’s commanding presence and had become the conscience of the newly formed group. Some cold analytical part of her mind whispered that the loss of such an uplifting spirit would shake the order.

Luna stared at the name. Silver Mist had brought her dinner last night. They had talked about her family, her cousins and parents in Dappleshore. Luna knew she should feel something after discovering that such a wonderful mare was gone from the world. Anger maybe; sorrow, certainly. She searched her soul in vain for the faintest little color, but it was like looking at blank page; there was nothing to find.

She shook her head. This was a distraction, and she didn’t have time to feel anyway. She needed to focus, needed to finish these scrolls. Then there was another meeting, then…she didn’t want to think that far ahead. One step at a time, and that meant finishing this scroll.

As she read on she realized that for every pony she recognized there were at least five she couldn’t place. Reaching the end of the scroll, Luna drew a breath as she saw the final tally. There were seventy nine names. Of those, only eleven were still missing. Sixty eight ponies had given their lives tonight, just from the castle garrison. Her gaze drifted back to the unopened scrolls on the desk. The other reports would be more of the same.

Raised voices wafted through the far door, and Luna strained her ears to listen. Her guards were speaking to somepony outside, denying them entrance. She couldn’t hear the other pony, but the guards quickly became threatening. As they became louder, her jaw dropped when she made out just how belligerent they had become. In a wide-eyed rush she leapt to her hooves, ran to the door, and flung it open.

Two night guards both wore menacing grins as they looked on the visitor. Still at his post, Astro Turf stood almost as tall as the princess, giant enough to tower over most other earth ponies. While he watched, the unicorn Gamma Ray was charging his horn with a distressing amount of power. Both their heads spun towards the princess when the door opened, their menace fading into surprise.

A cinnamon pony in a tan intelligence officer’s shirt stood facing the door, seemingly unbothered by the unicorn readying a lethal spell behind him. Seeing the princess, he bowed. “Ah, Princess Luna. I hope I am not disturbing you.”

Luna blinked twice, even more surprised at the messenger’s calm than her own guards behavior. “Major Vedette, we did not expect thee so soon. Thou hast spoken with Princess Celestia?” She had spoken with the stallion in private after the meeting in the lecture hall and sent him on a sensitive errand.

He nodded gravely. “Indeed, Your Highness. She mournfully agreed that the situation warrants taking the action you suggested.” He shifted his weight to indicate a large scroll in his saddle bag. “I have the parchment for your review.”

“Truly?” Luna leaned back. “We did not expect a precedent case to be found in the archives so quickly.”

The major grew glum and looked away. “She wrote it from memory, with her own quill.”

“Yes. We suppose she would recall such things,” the Princess of the Night said with a thoughtful nod. She backed out of the doorway. “Please come in.”

As he passed, Luna stayed by the door. The guards had remained almost motionless during the conversation, and the princess leaned over Gamma Ray with an awkward smile. “Ray, while we appreciate thy adherence to the letter of our commands, we think it would be best to refrain from threatening our sister’s couriers with death by incineration.”

The dark violet unicorn closed his eyes and bowed with conviction. “I see my error, your Highness. It shan’t happen again!”

Since Princess Celestia had decreed the Night Order Royal Guard be reactivated, the new members had taken it upon themselves to observe the old formalities with astonishing dedication. Luna had tried everything short of a royal decree to discourage them, but gave up after Colonel Nova Drive officially made it part of the group’s decorum and initiation rituals. Even while trying her hardest to fit in after a millennium away, she couldn’t help but be touched by their efforts.

“No harm was done, Ray.” She stood up straight, trying to mimic Celestia’s caring poise. A strand of Luna’s mane fell in her eyes and she reflexively blew it out of her face, ruining the image. “We are responsible as well, and shall be more careful in our royal decrees in the future.”

Astro Turf paled, bowing even lower than Gamma Ray; quite a feat for the tall earth pony. “Nay, Princess! The fault was ours.”

Looking down at the apologetic guards, Luna spoke through a sorrowful smile. “Rise, both of you.” They did so slowly, still mournful of their blunder. “It has been a long night, and you have both acquitted yourselves well. Please instruct all visitors to wait, and inform us of their arrival.”

Before the guards could reply, Luna retreated back through the door and shut it behind her.

Luna paused to take a quiet deep breath before turning to face her visitor. Major Vedette was adding several new scrolls to her stack of unhappy responsibilities on the desk with his trademarked friendly but composed demeanor. The last scroll was twice as long as the others and bore Celestia’s personal wax seal. The cinnamon pony didn’t turn as she approached. “The devotion of the Night Order does you credit, Princess Luna.”

Trotting over to the desk, she came to a stop beside him. “We apologize for their behavior. The night has been long and difficult, but ‘tis no excuse.”

He smiled. “I too was once a young stallion full of fire and drive. They were just putting their love for their princess on display.” He turned his face slightly, and Luna followed his gaze to the window. “And yes, it has been a difficult night.”

Luna closed her eyes for a long moment. “We are struck by an odd feeling. Yesterday’s worries seem as distant to us as those from before our banishment. We cannot help but wonder why they troubled us so. They seem so small now.”

The major gave her a sideways glance. “What troubles?”

“Pardon?”

“I have always believed that our worries tell us something about our values, especially when they are the little things. It is true that we must focus on the good of all in the worst times, but to neglect our little worries is to neglect part of who we are.” He turned his whole body away from the window, and she saw a happy glint in his eye. “Come, share one with me. Perhaps talking it out could be of some small assistance.”

Luna gaped for a moment before turning away with a blush. “Art thou certain?”

“I would be honored to help her Highness any way I can.” He leaned forward apologetically. “Unless I have overstepped.”

Luna smiled. It was just like Vedette, somehow managing to be formal and yet utterly disarming. “Certainly not, Major. That ponies of this time are so willing to discuss matters of the heart is a happy change from Equestria of old, even though we still strive to understand,” Luna said, her blush fading. “And perhaps it is that we have most need to discuss. Tell us, thou hast been an adviser to my sister for many years. Is this not correct?”

“Well,” Vedette said through an embarrassed grin. “Advisor may be putting it bit a bit strong. I have run an errand for her from time to time.”

“Thou art far too modest.” Luna frowned. “My sister trusts in thee, and is thy friend. She has confidence in all her subjects, but ‘tis rare for her to trust a pony. She has been too oft’ betrayed.”

She turned her head, ashamed. “Once, even by a Royal Princess.”

Vedette nervously pawed the floor in front of him but said nothing for several long moments. It was the only time she remembered seeing him nervous.

“We, that is, I,” Luna fumbled with the words before finally taking the dive. “I would like to better understand how it came to be thus.”

He blinked. “You wish to know how we became friends?”

Luna nodded shyly.

“I’m not sure where to begin.” He thought carefully for a moment. “If the princess would share why this question weighs so heavily on her, I could give a better answer.”

“After the changelings were thwarted, Princess Celestia suggested that we resume our stewardship of Equestria’s vigilance institutions.” She rubbed a foreleg with a hoof. “We had hoped to have friendships with our advisors much like our sister’s, but we have made little progress.”

She hung her head. “In the case of Director Petronel, we have made none at all. We do not regret selecting him to aid us in this task, for he is both competent and devoted, but we have tried everything. He remains guarded. We even tried telling him jokes.”

“Really?” the major asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Knock-knock jokes.” She slumped. “He dutifully followed the pattern to the letter, but remained unamused.”

Vedette lifted a hoof to stifle a cough. “Yes, well, I see.”

Princess Luna nodded. “Perhaps with thy guidance, we might overcome this difficulty.”

For a long time Vedette said nothing, deep in thought. “Director Petronel is a hard working and intelligent pony, but he has made it a point to maintain professional distance in his duties. He worked with the Delta Hooves early in his career, and that takes a toll on any pony.” He grinned. “I met him just after he passed the entrance exam for Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. He was a much happier pony then, just bubbling over with curiosity and a desire to learn everything and about everything. And…maybe that story would be of the most help to you.”

Luna raised an eyebrow, and the major continued. “The first time I spoke with Princess Celestia was at a banquet honoring the arrival of a new ambassador in Canterlot. Of course all the officers stationed in the castle are expected to attend to fill out the guest list, and among all the dignitaries my friends and I were odd ponies out. You can imagine our surprise when Princess Celestia casually approached our little group and joined us in discussing little nothings. Even for her reputation she was surprisingly pleasant to talk with, and soon she worked her way into our discussion as if there were nothing at all unusual about a princess spending time with a collection of lieutenants at a state dinner.

“Eventually, one of my fellows politely asked her how things had been going for her, and she related a small trouble to us. She was founding a school for gifted unicorns in her name, and was unsure how to select applicants. All the young ponies would have been intelligent enough for the course, but the princess was hoping to select only the most inquisitive young minds. None of the professors had given her a method she was fond of, and as such the project was on hold.”

Luna waited with baited breath as he thought through the rest of the story. That Celestia had let anypony help plan one of her designs was quite the revelation.

“Of course all my friends wanted to impress the princess and began sharing idea after idea, but for my part I was quite content not being noticed. I was happy with my work, and afraid such notice would earn me an undesired promotion. I was recently married and dreaded the thought of a transfer.”

He chuckled warmly. “It was going so well, until something one of the other ponies said gave me an idea. Of course I know now that Princess Celestia can spot a pony with an idea at 200 meters, and she asked me what I thought. I told her, ‘Why not give them an impossible test? Every foal will fail it initially, but any pony that begs to know the answer from the instructors after failing will be more interested in learning than high marks. Then you tell them that to spoil the test means that they can never take the entrance exam again. If they still want the answer, they pass.’”

Luna gasped, and the cinnamon pony raised accenting hoof. “It is underhooved, unfortunately, but character tests have to be. She was so pleased with the idea she brought her prized dragon egg out of protected storage to use in the exam, something about using magic to hatch the egg.” He looked away, seeming touched by a warm memory. “She was laps ahead of me even then. She was looking for a unicorn with that kind of magic the whole time.”

“A foal hatched a dragon egg?” She was wide-eyed. “Even in our day there was never such a feat of magic.”

“Yes, but that,” Vedette ground his teeth nervously, “is another pony’s story. At the time I was just confused that a simple desk cleric had even been asked, but she liked my answer enough that I did get that promotion and was made one of her regular couriers. She would occasionally ask me strange questions, and I would answer as best I could. After I made Major, she started occasionally inviting me to tea.

“I suppose my point is that friendships take time to foster and grow. The banquet where we first spoke was well over twenty years ago. I doubt you have known Petronel for more than a few months.” He smiled warmly. “Give it time, and I think you will both discover that you have more in common than either of you would guess.”

Luna pondered his story for a moment, her thoughts coming to rest on the last statement. She narrowed her eyes. “Thou knowest something.”

“I know many things,” Vedette responded with a sad smile, “but I trust both you and the director will work things out between you. I would not choose to cheapen a friendship by speaking behind a pony’s back.”

Luna shifted, pondering. “We could order thou to speak.”

The major nodded with the confidence of a master chess player about to make a winning move. “Yes, but then we would no longer be talking as friends.”

After a few moments of stunned silence, Luna rolled her eyes with a smile. “Thou hast learned well the ways of our sister.”

Vedette chuckled, prompting a confused look from Luna. He raised a hoof apologetically but couldn’t stop. “I’m sorry. It just,” he laughed some more. “The princess is such an incurable prankster. Everyone who works with her has to learn quickly or go mad.”

“Thou dost not have to tell us,” Luna said with a groan. “We have suffered many of her schemes just since our return. Dost thou know she has thrice burst into our chambers during the day unannounced, only to declare one word in the Royal Voice before departing? What is more, we do not understand how the word is funny!”

“Really, what word?”

“Bananas!”

The major must have understood the joke, because he instantly threw his head back and laughed like a tickled school foal. Shocked into stupor, Luna couldn’t help but stare at the cinnamon earth pony. It was contagious. Luna felt her own giggles coming and tried to focus on her frustration, stamping hoof to emphasize her next point.

“She will not even explain it to us!”

Her words just made the major laugh harder. It was such a strange sight, seeing the friendly but always controlled earth pony in the thrall of laughter. Soon the sight of it overwhelmed Luna’s attempts at remaining indignant failed miserably. She pointed at the major and her giggles grew to laughter, which in turn made the major laugh even harder still, a cycle that spiraled out of control until she couldn’t see straight for the tears in her eyes. It felt so good to laugh after such a long night, like a warm spring breeze for the soul. It was the first thing she really felt since…

The dam that had been holding all her mixed emotions that night suddenly gave way. A flood of memory struck her all at once, her mind's eye being drawn through events that she had tried desperately to put aside all night.

The rank stench of sulfur from griffin grenades hung in the air and burned her eyes. The lights had been doused in the eastern corridor, but broken windows and holes in the outer wall let moonlight and red firelight mingle on every surface. Griffins and armored ponies clashed all through the long hallway, but Princess Luna raced past them in her panicked search.

Up ahead she could make out an enormous griffin standing on his hind paws, twice the height of the ponies and the rest of his kind. He wore only two pieces of armor, gauntlets covered in engraved sigils and several crude gemstones. In one gloved talon he held the unconscious form of a pony, pinning her to the wall by the neck. Luna felt her universe shatter all over again as she recalled the face of that broken pony who hung limp in the massive griffin's clutch.

Princess Celestia.

In that moment, Luna had believed her beloved sister dead. She had discovered shortly that there was still life in her, but it had been a near thing. One more swipe from the griffin brute would have ended her. She had been so close to losing her sister forever, and there had been nothing she could have done about it. Nothing at all. One thousand years on the moon paled in comparison to how cold and lonely as she felt in that one moment.

“There now, let it all out.”

The words snapped her back to reality with a hard jolt. The major must have rushed to her when she was overcome with memory, and now she wept bitterly on his shoulder. Luna opened her eyes but couldn’t see through her tears, tried to speak but was drowned out by her own sobs. She cursed her weakness and fought to stand, but the major put a steady hoof on the top of her head and whispered gently in her ear.

“No, no. Don’t be ashamed. This is what friends are for.”

The Princess of the Night felt her strength give way for good, and she collapsed wholly onto the major’s supporting bulk. He silently held her up while she wept and sobbed until there was nothing left. Vedette stayed with her all the while, comforting her with his simple presence and caring. When she had finally cried her last tear, Luna found she was able to stand with effort.

The major offered her his own handkerchief. Taking it with a thankful smile, Luna wiped her eyes with a still trembling hoof. “Y-you won’t tell my sister, will you?”

Vedette winked reassuringly. “Only if she orders me.”