//------------------------------// // Unexpected Reunions // Story: Awakening // by punisher143 //------------------------------// Strangely enough, winter was a really quiet time for us. We couldn’t really go anywhere because of how cold it got in some areas, but surprisingly Carver never showed up. Maybe Rainbow was right and it’s either less active or inactive during winter months. I guess that’s something else to look into about it. Now that I think about it, Carver has only been showing up every other day now. Given that it’s shown significant planning skills in the past, I’m really worried about what he could be doing. It’s the middle of spring now, and I found out only a few hours ago that we are unfortunately heading for the one city I never wanted to go to so soon. Another day, another long road in the middle of a field. Of course Twilight didn’t have much objection to it though; it was open enough to see around her and Rainbow could fly to her heart’s content while keeping Twilight in sight. Twilight spent most of this walk making additions and corrections to her journal with the occasional glance up at Rainbow and the road. During one of these glances Twilight saw Rainbow rapidly diving to meet her. “Hey Twilight, can I ask you something?” Rainbow asked in that tone of voice she used when trying to hide something awkward. “Of course, what is it?” Twilight asked stowing her journal in her bags. “Well, was there anywhere in particular that you wanted to avoid while we were doing this ‘adventure’?” Twilight pushed down the complaint when Rainbow used air quotes and thought the question over. “Ponyville definitely, and Canterlot maybe. Why?” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck nervously and said, “I thought so. You see that mountain right there?” “Yeah, why do you- oh no,” Twilight stopped once she recognized the peak, “please tell me that’s not…” “Yep, Canterlot is right on the other side. That makes it the closest city to where we are, which means we’re going to have to go there to restock.” “What, don’t tell me we’re almost out of food already!” Twilight shouted and started going through her bags. “Well I don’t know about you, but I’m running a little low. Plus this thing’s getting real dirty.” Rainbow lifted up a corner her cloak and sniffed it, “And it smells too.” Twilight cocked an eyebrow at Rainbow and sniffed her own cloak. “Ugh, you’re right. I thought we washed these recently.” “Maybe you did. These are gonna get dirty anyway, so why bother?” “Ignoring the implications about your personal hygiene Rainbow, I’m still hesitant to go there. Let’s do an inventory check to be sure.” “Again? But we did one yesterday! We were running low then and we’re worse off now.” Rainbow flew into a hover in front of Twilight and said, “I don’t get why you don’t want to go there. As long as we avoid the castle and any guards, we should be fine right?” “It’s more complicated than that, but on the basest level you’re right. I just…” Rainbow landed next to Twilight with a small smirk. “Did you want to do the check for fun?” she asked. “I have to do something to keep my mind focused Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow rolled her eyes and bumped Twilight. “Alright, let’s do it if it gets us to Canterlot and food faster.” “Thank you Rainbow.” Twilight, as usual, was the one to do food shopping while Rainbow Dash stood guard outside the store. Dash couldn’t really do much during that time other than fiddle with the hood over her head and watching the passing ponies, with more than a few patrols of royal guards among them. ‘There are a lot of guards around right now. Wonder what’s going on,’ Rainbow thought once the latest patrol passed her. She quickly peeked inside the store, seeing Twilight still looking around, and decided she could waste a few minutes figuring out what’s going on. She looked around and saw one particular pony stand out from the crowd and trotted over to her. “Hey, what’s the deal with the guards?” “Ah, street rat! The mare shouted and backed away from a confused Rainbow Dash. “What?” “I don’t care what tactics you’re using, you won’t get a bit out of me you hoodie scum!” “Wha- lady, we’re in the middle of a public square with at least a few dozen ponies watching us. I wouldn’t be able to take your money even if I wanted to, now what’s with all the guards!” “I’ll give you twenty bits, just don’t knife me!” Rainbow stared at the mare before facehoofing in exasperation. “Even if I knew what that meant, I wouldn’t do that anyway. I just want to know what all the guards are here for and you looked like the one to ask.” The mare looked Rainbow over a couple of times before turning her nose up. “Even if I did know, information isn’t cheap. You need to give something to get something.” “Oh yeah, like what?” “I’m a model, so I have to keep an ear on the fashion scene, and that cloak of yours looks professional. Where did you get it?” “What, this thing? A friend in Ponyville made it for me.” Rainbow held up a fold of the cloak and said, “I’ve been assured it looks better clean.” “I don’t care about cleanliness, cloaks are supposed to be durable. How long have you had it?” “I’unno, six months? It’s definitely lived through a lot.” “So I see. I’ll have to look into this later.” “Yeah whatever, now about those guards.” “Oh yes, them.” The mare pointed at another patrol of guards and continued, “The grape vine says that a princess is in town, a Princess Mi Amore Cadenza from what I heard. It also says that a major event is being planned soon, though I don’t know what.” “Never heard of her, is she important or something?” “She’s the princess of love. Hearts and Hooves Day is her patron holiday and couples ask her for successful marriages every day.” Rainbow Dash answered with a blank stare, which seemed to irritate the unicorn. “She’s Princess Celestia’s niece!” “…Like I said, never heard of her.” The unicorn huffed and said, “You really are a ruffian,” before trotting away from Rainbow Dash. “Well your flank looks fat!” Rainbow yelled and walked back to the store to see Twilight waiting next to the door. Rainbow picked up the pace and said “Hey Twilight,” when she approached the unicorn. “Rainbow, what did I say about antagonizing the ponies here?” Twilight asked, “We’re trying to keep a low profile remember?” “Yeah I remember, but I was wondering about all the guards. Apparently some princess I never heard of is coming for a visit.” “Really, who is it?” Twilight asked leading Rainbow down the street. “Mi Amore Cadenza or something like that. You ever heard of her?” Twilight shook her head and levitated a bit bag out of her saddlebags and into Rainbow’s. “I’m sorry, it doesn’t ring a bell. Was there anything else that- what’s going on over there?” Twilight increased her pace to a trot toward some form of parade. Rainbow took off to try and see over the crowd, an idea several other pegasi thought of. “I can’t really see much, just a bunch of guard ponies and a carriage,” Rainbow said squinting at the procession, “Must be that princess or something.” “I suppose so, but how important is she that they need to dedicate a regiment of troops to protecting her?” Twilight asked. “Well, she is Princess Celestia’s niece. I’d say that’s pretty important.” Twilight froze at the voice and tried to convince herself that it wasn’t who she thought it was. She saw Dash land next to her and look back at the speaker. “I heard it was something like that,” Dash said, “but I’m confused. I didn’t think the princess had any family besides her sister.” “It’s not quite a widely known fact. Nopony outside of Canterlot knows about her right now. So where are you from?” “Lots of different places,” Twilight said turning around to see one of the ponies she had hoped not to meet. From the look on his face, the guard captain hadn’t expected her either. Twilight sighed and said, “Hi Shining Armor.” Shining Armor stared for just a moment before smiling widely and grabbing Twilight into a tight hug. “Twilight, is that you?!” he said as Twilight hugged him back, “I didn’t expect to see you here. What brings you to Canterlot?” “Um, we were just traveling. It’s a really long story, boring really.” “Um hello, my name is Rainbow Dash,” Rainbow said waving a hoof between the unicorns, “I’m also really lost on what’s going on.” “Oh, sorry Rainbow,” Twilight said sheepishly and gestured to Shining Armor, “this is Shining Armor. He’s a captain in the royal guard and my older brother.” “You have a brother?” “Shh. This is Rainbow Dash, one of my friends from Ponyville. We’re kind of traveling around right now.” “Really, anything I should know about?” Shining Armor asked. “No, it’s nothing important. We were just about to leave actually.” “You’re not going to stay to catch up? I’ll be off duty in an hour or so, and I really have a lot to tell you.” “Hey Twilight,” Rainbow interrupted putting a hoof in between the siblings, “can we talk for a moment?” “W-what, why?” Twilight asked. “Just come on!” Rainbow grabbed Twilight’s hoof and dragged her away until Shining Armor was out of ear shot. “You do realize we have a few hours till night right? Let’s stay and hear what he has to say.” “I know that, but I really don’t see why-“ “That’s your own fault. You never bothered to tell us you had a brother and now I want to hear that story.” “I never told you because you never asked and it wasn’t important! If you had actually asked, it would be a different story.” “But you never indicated that you even had a brother! This totally ruins the spread I had going.” “Spread?! What is that even supposed to mean?!” Rainbow sighed and said, “It was just a small bet I had going with the other girls. You know, like who has siblings and who doesn’t.” “I think there are more important things going on than a bet Dash!” “Um, did I interrupt something between you two?” Shining Armor asked, startling the two mares, “because… you know.” “Oh no, it’s nothing. Anyway, we can’t stay for long but we can stay for a while. Where do you want to meet up?” Shining Armor thought for a moment and smiled. “Do you remember the Hayworth Café downtown?” he asked, to which Twilight nodded, “great, meet me there in an hour or so and we can talk then. Trust me Twily, you’ll love what I have for you.” Shining Armor waved at the mares and trotted away. Twilight waved at her brother as Rainbow leaned to her. “What do you think he means by that?” Rainbow asked. “I don’t know, but it has to be something important,” Twilight replied and trotted down a street, “come on, let’s see if we can get some lunch.” It had been almost two hours now and Twilight and Rainbow had started making their way to the café they were meeting Shining Armor at. It would be a lie if they were to say they weren’t nervous about the slowly setting sun, but it’s definitely less than what is was before. “Do you think he’ll show up?” Rainbow asked turning onto the street they needed. “He’s always been busy with guard work. It happens with captains,” Twilight answered and sighed, “we’ll just have to see.” “Do you not get along or something?” “What, no! We got along great when we were young, we couldn’t have possibly been closer. We just… grew apart I guess.” Rainbow cringed a little at the sadness in Twilight’s voice and bumped into her side. “Hey, I didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories for you. I just…” “It’s alright Rainbow. I just haven’t thought about these kinds of things for a while.” Twilight took a breath and continued, “It’s good to get something like this out of in the open. Come on, let’s get something to drink!” Twilight took off in a trot followed by Rainbow Dash. They only had to wait a few more minutes before Shining Armor showed up. “Hey, sorry if I kept you waiting,” he said sitting down at the table. “You didn’t, we just barely ordered our drinks. I didn’t know what you wanted, so I didn’t order.” “It’s alright. So um… where do I start?” “How old are you and are you single?” Rainbow suddenly asked with a large smile. “Rainbow!” Twilight yelled planting her hooves on the table, “you don’t ask things like that when you first meet my brother!” “Why not, it seems like a good starting question.” “I’ll tell you now that I reserve the right to beat you down if you try and hit on him again.” “Where does it say that? If you can point me to a rulebook, I’ll be glad to read it.” “It’s in the unwritten rulebook for siblings, which you’re not privy to.” “Relax Twilight,” Shining said waving Twilight down, who took a seat just as a waitress came by with her and Rainbow’s drinks, “and to answer your question, I’m about 14 years older than Twilight and sorry, I’m already taken.” “There, now you…what?” “That’s kinda what I wanted to tell you. I’ve been really busy lately, so I couldn’t send you a letter before and I really didn’t want you to find out through an invitation.” “To what?” Rainbow asked before taking a drink of… whatever this was. Twilight ordered it and Rainbow didn’t understand the name. “To my wedding. I’m going to get married in a month.” Twilight stared blankly at Shining Armor, fairly certain her jaw was hanging open. After a couple seconds, she was brought back when Rainbow let out a breath and set her cup down. “That was really good. Doesn’t hold a candle to Sweet Apple cider though,” Rainbow said happily before shutting Twilight’s jaw. “Careful there, you’ll catch flies.” “Weren’t you listening?! He’s getting married!” Twilight shouted at Rainbow and turned to Shining Armor, “to who? When? Why?” “Calm down and I’ll tell you,” Shining Armor said, “It wasn’t that long ago, maybe a month or two ago, and you know who I’m marrying.” “I do? But I don’t…” “I’m getting married to Cadence,” Shining Armor answered for her with a large smile, “you remember her don’t you?” Twilight’s jaw nearly dropped again as she stared at her brother. “You mean that Cadence?! The Cadence that used to foalsit me all the time when I was little, and is also the most caring and loving pony I’ve ever known?” “You have an old foalsitter that you’ve never talked about before too?” Rainbow asked giving Twilight an unamused look, “You forgot a lot about your life in Canterlot haven’t you?” “You never asked, and it’s not like my old foalsitter is important anymore!” “Are there any other lost family members you forgot to mention? Oh wait, maybe that character you played in the Hearth’s Warming Eve pageant is actually you’re distant ancestor!” “Clover the Clever? Actually, I did get curious about my ancestry once and-“ “SHUT UP, I was being sarcastic!” Rainbow quickly drank down whatever remained of her drink before turning to Shining Armor. “So is this Cadence related to the Mi Amore Cadenza I’ve heard about?” “Yeah, Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadence’s real name,” Shining answered. “Did you know that?” Rainbow asked Twilight. “No, I always knew her as Cadence,” Twilight answered. “And now your brother’s going to marry her.” “Yes I am,” Shining Armor answered with a nod. “We’re totally going to have to crash the wedding now, you know that right?” “No, we are not doing that!” Twilight shouted at Rainbow, “Why would you even suggest doing that?!” “Is this normal for you two?” Shining asked pointing a hoof between Twilight and Rainbow. “This is the longest we’ve spent hanging out together, so maybe. She also doesn’t really know how to think before she speaks.” “It’s no trouble, really. I actually wanted to talk to you about coming to the wedding. Your tea’s getting cold by the way.” Twilight looked down at her until now forgotten cup of tea and took a drink as she waited for Shining Armor to continue. “I want you be my Best Mare.” Twilight gagged a little and performed a classic spit take at that. “R-really?!” She asked after she cleared her throat. “Of course, I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have with me. What do you say?” Twilight hesitated a little and looked over at Rainbow, the obvious question passing silently to her. Rainbow shrugged, the silent ‘I don’t know’ that fit with this situation. “Can… I think about it and get back to you tomorrow?” Twilight finally asked and looked at Shining Armor. “I really want to accept, but I’ve been really busy lately and I don’t know if I could even make it.” ‘Plus I don’t want to put you or anyone else in Carver’s sights.’ “I understand Twiley, the whole world seems to be busy nowadays,” Shining replied, the slightest hint of melancholy not lost in his voice. “Well, I’m still living in the castle guard quarters when you make up you find out.” “Maybe you can meet us here again at noon?” Twilight offered, “I’m sure I’ll find out before then.” “I think I can find the time.” Shining Armor got up, walked over to Twilight, and pulled her into a hug. “I missed you a lot Twiley, it was good seeing you again.” “Same here,” Twilight said giving her brother a squeeze before he let her go and walked away with a wave. “We are going, right?” Rainbow asked. “I really don’t know. I think I’m going to have to talk to Cheshire later,” Twilight answered. She levitated her cup and drank the rest of her tea before looking at Rainbow, “let’s pay for our drinks and continue shopping. We still have so much to get.” It had been stalking the two ponies for a long time. Once it was certain its prey wouldn’t go anywhere during the winter, it had busied itself with plans as it hunted for secondary sustenance. And now once again night had fallen and it stared up at the shimmering lights of the mountain city its prey now rested. It started toward the lights when a scent stopped it. “And that’s the situation we’ve found ourselves in,” Twilight finished. Cheshire lay there listening to the whole story while watching a screen showing Twilight’s memories of her brother. She didn’t comment once during the whole story. “What do you think we should do?” “Can you remind me of something?” Cheshire asked and pointed a hoof at a screen with Cadence pushing a filly Twilight on a swing, “Cadence’s special talent is love, right?” “Um… yes if I recall correctly. She’s able to sense love and can mend broken relationships if it’s feasible.” “With that being the case and Cadence is in Canterlot for this wedding, I’d like to think that Canterlot is the safest place to be right now.” Cheshire stood up and looked back at Twilight, “This may prove to be the perfect test to our theory about Carver. Weddings are very love filled events, so Carver may keep his distance if the theory is correct.” “So… we should stay?” “You’re the one in charge Twilight, not me. It’s your choice.” Twilight closed her eyes in thought and nodded. “Alright, thanks Cheshire.” It watched the two ponies as they spewed filth from their mouths. At least it thought it looked like ponies, but they smelled wrong somehow. “It’s not much longer until we’re ready,” one of them said looking up at the city. “I just hope nothing goes wrong,” the other said, “any number of things could happen between now and the wedding. Let’s go report to the queen.” It considered itself a very methodical being, but it allowed itself one specific fault when it comes to things like this: curiosity. Curiosity about the conflicting scent, curiosity as to what they were planning to do with the city. Suddenly one of them turned in its direction; apparently hit had been musing a little too loudly. “What is it?” “I… thought I heard something. Let’s go.” The two ponies spread their wings and took flight toward the moon. Then, just as quickly as a flash of pain, the answer to the question of the scent hit its brain. It was a scent from a long forgotten time. It was a scent of a being it loathed. The scent of parasites. “So we’re really going to this wedding?” Rainbow asked. “Yes, I fully intend to take Shining Armor up on his offer,” Twilight answered with a nod. The two friends have gone in search of breakfast when Twilight broke the news to Rainbow. “After all, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I missed his wedding.” “I don’t get the appeal of weddings. I mean, standing around for half an hour listening to two ponies talk about how much they love each other, I don’t get the appeal.” “It’s very obvious you’re not a romantic Dash. It’s not just that though.” Twilight nervously rubbed a foreleg and looked around and said, “It’s you know who too.” “Ugh, the thing is like a big leech that won’t go away. I half expected him to be under us last night.” Rainbow shivered a little and added, “Where the heck has he been anyway? I thought I’d feel better if he disappeared for a while, but now I feel like he’s watching me all the time!” “I think the wedding may have something to do with that. I say we stay in or near Canterlot for the month and see how he reacts. If he doesn’t show until we leave, it may add credence to our theory about his behavior.” Rainbow answered gracefully to this explanation with a large yawn. “Ugh, it’s way too early for me to think about these kinds of things. Let’s go get some waffles.” The pegasus increased her gait, leaving Twilight behind to huff and try to catch up with her. Before anyone noticed, two weeks had passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, Twilight and Rainbow ventured out of Canterlot. When they did, Carver would always show up when night fell, and when they went back to the capitol they found Carver was unable or at least unwilling to venture into the city. Not only that, but he also seemed constantly distracted by something. He would alternate between looking at them and the distant Everfree Forest until one night he just left toward the forest. The day after that incident was when the shield went up around Canterlot. “The hay is going on?” Rainbow asked staring at the shield, “Everything is just getting weirder and weirder.” “I know,” Twilight answered with a nod. She settled into the cloud a little more and continued, “I did manage to get into Canterlot though, so it doesn’t stop ponies. I also found out Shining Armor is the one keeping the shield up.” “Really, do you think it’s to keep you know who out?” “I don’t think so; he hasn’t even attempted to get into Canterlot. I suppose it would make sense if it was a protective measure in case they thought he was around, but I don’t think they even know that. Something else has to be going on.” “Like what?” “I don’t know. Let’s go in tomorrow, I’ll try to get some answers from Shining Armor then.” “I hope nothing happens. The last thing we need is something else to give us trouble.” “I agree.” Parasites, the wretched things were everywhere now. It couldn’t see them but they were hiding in the shadows, waiting for their chance to attack. It had decided to find one of these parasites and see them in their true form. It took several days of stalking, following every trail they left behind and the wretched stench that they left behind, but it found one. It was surprised at the parasite, a small insectoid creature scratching around the forest and glancing up at the mountain. Its body was made up of black chitin, shining gently in the moonlight, and its eyes an emerald color. Insect wings buzzed on its back and it crouched down to take flight. Or it would have if it didn’t decide to take a closer look at the parasite. It grabbed its leg and dragged the screeching parasite to it. The wretched thing thrashed in its grip and tried to attack whatever had it. It stopped though once its emerald eyes landed on what had it and the parasite froze in fright. The parasite was a fascinating specimen. Its legs were riddled with holes that most likely made flight easier for it. It forced the parasites mouth and inspected its fangs, a strange addition for a parasite. ‘Fascinating, I wonder what its preferred host is?’ The parasite apparently didn’t like having its mouth being touched as it thrashed around briefly before bursting into green flame. It flinched ever so slightly and endured the pain of the flame as a light brown pony started thrashing where the parasite was. ‘So that’s how they work. They must have an intricate magical system built into their bodies to shape shift like that. So their hosts are those ponies, but what do they feed on?’ The parasite dropped its form when it became apparent it wouldn’t work and bared its fangs at its captor. It only grinned at the parasite, very interested in its attitude, and decided to get insight into the parasite’s race from the source itself. Imagine the parasite’s surprise when its oral orifice was violated and its memories searched. It had found a name to place to the parasite’s race: Changeling. It was also right about the parasite being insectoid in nature, since the way its brain worked seemed to fit with a hive mind mechanic. It dug deeper into the Changeling’s brain and confirmed the hive mind theory, this one being a lonely drone. ‘Drones, soldiers, praetorians, and queen at the top.’ “Faaaascinaaaatingggg.” The Changeling started thrashing again from lack of air and most likely out of fear, it definitely was giving off a wave of it. Of course, the main question about their food still remained unanswered. It dug just a bit deeper and- Pain shot through its brain and it recoiled back. It lost control as the knowledge of the parasite’s food became known. It lost its mind in anger and when it came to, there was no changeling left, only a fine green paste. ‘Love, they feed on love? How is that possible?’ A growl escaped its lips and it thought to another thing it saw before the red took over. An image of a pony, the only sticking point being a pink coat, a city, and a name: Mi Amore Cadenza. ‘What do these Changelings want with this pony? The city was the one on the mountain, the one surrounded by that shield.’ It looked toward the direction of the city, the light of the shield visible even from this distance. ‘Something is happening, this will be fascinating to watch.’ It grinned and sank into the shadows. ‘If things go as I think, this might be even better than that other time.’ “A threat against Canterlot? That’s what the shield is for?” Shining Armor released the spell and turned back to his little sister with a fake grin. “We not entirely sure, but the timing can’t be coincidental. The wedding is coming up soon after all,” Shining Armor said and wiped some sweat from his brow. “Are you ok?” Twilight asked and felt Shining Armor’s forehead. “I’m fine, just a headache from keeping the shield up. Cadence has been helping me with that though.” “That’s good, but I’m worried about this threat you talked about.” Twilight placed a hoof on her chin and started thinking about a certain something, “Do you have any idea when this threat was supposed to happen?” “We don’t know, but we know it’s related to the wedding. Why, do you think you know what’s going to happen?” “I can’t say, I’m going to have to look into it with Rainbow Dash. It shouldn’t take too long though, so don’t worry.” Twilight turned to walk into town and find her pegasus companion when Shining Armor called out to her. “Oh, before I forget to tell you, Princess Celestia is bringing in some ponies to help with the wedding. I think she said they were your friends from Ponyville.” Twilight stopped as her mind processed what he said. “They’re coming here…?” she asked, “What about Pinkie Pie?” “I’m… not sure who that is. The princess said that they’ll be able to help with the wedding.” Twilight stood unnaturally stiff and scuffed at the floor nervously. “Twilight, did something happen between you and your friends?” Shining asked and placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, “Are you avoiding them because of your-“ “Shut up, you don’t know anything about my life!” Twilight shouted at him and knocked his hoof away with a glare. Her brother backed away with a shocked look, which caused Twilight to calm down. She sighed and said, “I’m still trying to figure this out. But my friends aren’t the problem, so you don’t have to worry about that.” “Do you want to talk about it? Whatever’s going on with you seems to be a heavy burden.” Twilight looked at Shining Armor, his face showing the kind of brotherly concern he always gave her, and she shook her head. “Maybe when I get a better handle on this situation I’ll tell you. Until then, can I trust you to let me handle this?” “Of course, I just want you to know you’re not alone.” Shining Armor walked over to his sister and pulled her into a hug. “I’m always ready to help my little sister.” “Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind.” Twilight squeezed her brother before letting him go and trotting into town. “He’s right you know,” Cheshire’s voice whispered in Twilight’s mind, “Big brothers always come to their little sister’s aid when needed.” ‘I’m not going to put my brother or friends in danger if I don’t have to,’ Twilight chided back. “I’m not saying you should. Let’s just file away his offer for later, you never know when things will get more complicated. And what about your friends?” The news of our friend’s arrival greatly troubles me. My thoughts are racing right now about the maybes and what ifs. I talked with Rainbow about it later that night, and we decided it was time to stop lying to them. It’s been nearly half a year, half a year since the castle and Pinkie, oh Pinkie. I hope she’s not worrying about what happened and blaming herself. We don’t blame her, we never did. I don’t think this threat is Carver, most of the newspaper reports I’ve read involving him label him a rogue manticore or the like. That’s hardly enough evidence to justify the shield. What’s going on? Whatever it is, I’ll figure it out when it comes. For right now, I have a letter to write in case things don’t go as well as I hope.