//------------------------------// // To Everfree's gates // Story: Cycle: With Wings as Eagles // by SSky //------------------------------// If you had asked Shahar how she felt after everypony had galloped out of the carriage and over her, the response would have been a clear, definite, resounding, “Ow.” The stampede of ponies had trampled anypony in their path, so Shahar was just one of many harmed. Livana had the fortune of being at the back of the pack that was now fighting its way toward the palace gate. She turned to face the crumpled figure of her sister, “Come on Shar!” She then remembered that she wasn’t supposed to show her relation to Shahar and amended, “I mean, ma’am.” Shahar moaned, “No, no, go ahead. I’m going to lie here and count the pretty stars dancing over my head. Ooooh, so pretty...” Many other ponies lying in the road joined in her sarcastic theatrics with calls of tweeting birdies and pretty lights. Julius sighed and picked up Shahar, flinging her onto his back with a swift but gentle motion. He turned and pawed a hoof in Livana’s direction. “Go on, nightkeeper. I’ll handle the victims of the excitement.” Shahar had never heard that term used to describe her sister, but, since she had a moon cutie mark, it would be suitable. It was probably a formal term for her talent. Julius gave a shout, and the rest of the pegasi that had flown the chariot assembled. After a few commands that Shahar couldn’t understand, every guard went over and took the trampled souls off the road, depositing them in a patch of grass and assuring they would be treated by a doctor in no time. Those who were to see the queen were taken past the palace gates to a little room just inside the marble tower. The room looked like an office with a few ponies busily scurrying about. It was a white room with photos of ponies hanging everywhere. Shahar observed one unicorn with a heart cutie mark casually approach Julius. “Another hour, another load, eh? What’s the average so far?” To Shahar’s disgust, Julius laughed, “Fifteen to the number on average, Redcross. The most recent load brought that down a bit; I’m afraid Scarlet is going to get this round perfect yet again.” Redcross frowned and muttered under his breath, “I’ve got to find out how that darned ‘Scarlet Sense’ works and how he wins every single darned office pool we doctors have.” The guardspony chuckled, “Oh you know it’s just the gift of Vision. Being related to a laughter element sometimes has its effects rub off. Don’t try; it never works.” Shahar indignantly grunted, “You are BETTING on how many of us get trampled? That’s mean.” Julius and Redcross shared a laugh. After the two calmed down, Julius explained, “Oh, dear girl, if we can’t prevent it, and Hestia knows we can’t by now, we may as well get some fun out of it. We treat the injuries, but are we allowed to relieve the boredom of fetching you every day?” Redcross stifled another laugh, “Julius, you seem to have picked up a fine girl, but you should know not to get attached to the hopefuls.” After calming down, Redcross leaned over and tapped Shahar with his horn, imparting a bit of magic to the alicorn. As he did, a warm feeling covered Shahar, going from outside and slowly converging to one point. She felt the magic slowly fade and heard Julius groan, “Can you get off now? My back hurts.” Shahar saw all the ponies slowly get off the guards that were carrying them, looking like nothing had happened. Redcross came back to Julius and saw the astonished Shahar getting off the guardspony’s back. The doctor murmured to himself, “She isn’t from here. Magic seems like a foreign concept to her.” Julius turned to the now-healed ponies. “Hurry over to the main hall. It’s a straight trot from the castle entrance. All the ponies rushed off again with Shahar trailing and observing the surroundings. Many ponies were hurrying back and forth with papers, boxes, and balloons. One pony ran into Shahar, sending a pile of scrolls flying. After Shahar got up, the unicorn was picking up all the parchments he had dropped. Shahar aided him. “Why the rush?” The pony didn’t stop his work but replied, “Oh there’s a court case I need to get to. Three heinous crimes were committed, and I have the required evidence!” Shahar picked up and stacked the last few papers, “Who are the ponies on trial?” The unicorn snatched the papers and ran away, calling back, “An arsonist, a murderer and a bully!” Shahar just stood there. All the ponies in this city were crazy. She heard a shout ring from behind her, “Yo, girl! Get a move on!” Shahar figured it was Julius and decided she would need to hurry to be able to get there in time. Inside the main tower was even more beautiful than outside. Tapestries with embroideries of many different creatures hung on the walls, and almost every offshoot room had a crest above it. Shahar recognized one as the Hippogria crest that father had hanging in the house. (Granted, this one wasn’t torn and frayed.) The halls were surprisingly silent, and Shahar could hear faint sounds coming from nearby rooms. At last she found herself at the end, facing two doors. She opened them with her telekinesis and stepped through them. The ponies that were with her in the chariot were all there, lined up in rows. Shahar causally stepped into a row and faced the podium everypony was looking at. She whispered to the pegasus next to her, “Am I late?” The pegasus shook her head and focused on the podium. Pretty soon a large... something or other--Shahar couldn’t tell-- stepped out. Its face looked like that of a pony, but it had one large fang and lots of other things. It was like somepony had made a creature with all the leftover pieces at the creature creation factory. It stepped up to the podium, leaned on it, and began speaking in a disinterested voice, “Welcome prospects. The queen will see you individually, I hope that you all yadda yadda. You should know how to treat royalty, and you know how big a deal this is. Any questions?” One pony raised her hoof. She was about to speak, but the... thing interrupted, “I’m a draconequus.” The pony lowered her hoof. Another raised his. Once again the draconequus interrupted, “Yes, I know I can also be called a chimera.” Another pony started but was cut by, “Yes, I am aware that something was published saying I am the last of my kind. Any questions about THE QUEEN OR PROCEDURE?” Everypony was silent. “Good, the first row may line up in front of the door to their right.” Nopony dared to disobey. The draconequus slowly marched over to the door and stepped inside with the first pony. Shahar stiffened. She was in row three. She counted the ponies. Five to a row. That means she only had fifteen ponies between her and that door. She couldn’t find Livana anywhere. The line grew shorter. Ponies were entering, remaining a few minutes, and leaving. Soon the next row went up. Shahar bit her lip as full awareness about what was happening hit her. She was going to see Queen Hestia soon. Worse, the queen was going to see her. Her mind tried to shift subjects to alleviate her fear, but she couldn’t take her mind off it. The declaration implied she was sick. Something about sick creatures just made her feel uncomfortable. She questioned her judgement in convincing her father to let them leave. But then there was Livana. She was ecstatic about the chance. She was amazed by everything. Shahar felt guilty. Wishing she would have never came was selfish. By now the minutes felt like seconds as they dashed away from her, leaving but a sickening feeling as her row went up, a definite thud with each hoofstep, an awful sense that she would not leave unchanged, for worse most likely. All there was left between her and the door was one pony. The time that was whizzing past, almost as soon as the final pony entered, immediately stopped. One second became a minute of anticipation. Time was just being annoying, should it go quickly or drag on to let more questionspass through Shahar's mind like: What was the queen like? What about that draco- whatsit, was he entirely safe? Why was she asking all these questions? “Why are you standing there with a stupid expression on your face?” a familiar voice whispered. Livana continued, “They called next.” Shahar didn’t turn around but, as boldly as she could, strode through the door. She stepped in and looked to her left. The--oh, what was the other thing he called himself that was easier to remember--chimera stood at the right hoof of a throne. On the other side stood a beautiful flame-colored bird. In the throne itself sat something that shocked Shahar more than anything she had yet seen. The royal air about her gave no doubt that the unicorn was the queen, but she looked young and spry! She was not dying if her appearance was any indication. On the contrary, she probably in better health than Shahar had ever seen somepony in. The queen was a bright yellow and had a light yellow mane flowing in waves as if it were magically suspended. Her cutie mark was a golden apple with a bite out of it. Shahar whispered under her breath as she realized what it was, the fruit of knowledge from the griffon tales. The queen looked at Shahar, and she seemed to be in shock as well. Her pupils constricted, and she was left slack-jawed. Both creatures at her sides looked quizzically at her. Shahar panicked; what had she done? Was there something wrong with her? A smile crept up the queen’s mouth. She leaned toward the--oh darn it all, it’s a creature, why bother with names--thing and whispered something in its ear. The servant nodded, started toward the door, and called, “Next” Queen Hestia now laid eyes on Shahar again. “Come at the foot and sit; I want you to see the view from here” she softly commanded. Her voice calmed Shahar a bit. Why would she want her there though? Shahar bowed and trotted forward as she came to the foot and lay. The bird cocked her head at Shahar and flew onto her back. Soon the next pony came in, Livana. Hestia’s smile grew larger still, and she spoke in the same calm voice, “A nightkeeper, how wonderful. There needn’t be any formalities, but I must say you look cut out for a certain job I have.” Livana looked more in shock by her sister lying at the throne’s heel than anything else. She continued to stare while Shahar blushed uncomfortably. Hestia laughed softly, “Dear, my servant shall give you the way. You will be in our new princess’ personal guard.” Shahar and Livana’s eyes shot open. She hadn’t said barely anything nor let them speak. All was happening in mere moments, and Livana had been selected for the heir’s guard while no sucessor had been chosen? Shahar inquired at the odd nature of the idea. The bird cawed, and Hestia laughed heartily, “Oh, sweet girl, you are the princess.” Shahar gulped; she was afraid of that. Livana was in utter shock when the servant returned. Hestia called out, “Take the girl to the training grounds, and let the others go!” The servant gave a happy grin and dashed out, yelling. Hestia rose and smiled at the two shocked alicorns. She turned to the bird and ordered, “Take her to the chamber, Philomena.” Philomena cawed and looked at the locked-up alicorn she was resting on. The servant was back and pushing the dark alicorn, who was in a similarly frozen state, toward the door. Philomena wished that her mistress would plan these things better. The bird got up and rammed into the alicorn, who budged a few inches. Frustrated, she turned and cawed at her mistress. Hestia stood wordless for a moment. “Once you are out of others’ sight, you may.” This would take a while.