//------------------------------// // Hello // Story: Andalusian's Creed : Bloodlines // by ac3 //------------------------------// The war was going well for the Andalusians; until that is, they approached the capital city of Canterlot. The closer they got, the harder the Equestrian army fought tooth and hoofnail over every inch of dirt. Amidst the fighting, the casualties were increasing rapidly with the result of caring of so many wounded was taking a toll on logistics. To treat them all, the only recourse was to send them back to Andalon. Not surprisingly, this caused a reverse in public opinion. With the sight of family members coming back lying on Iitters or worse, the Andalusians started to protest against the war. With their own society losing trust over how they were lead, the Andalusian government, fearing civil unrest, looked into ways to bring a quick victory. In the city at the heart of Andalon rose a magnificent structure. It was roughly pyramid in shape, with obelisks in every corner. It was fronted by a large open area where thousands could attend celebrations and rallies. This was the high temple. It was also their most sacred building. Inside it's polished marble facade, the decisions that affect the lives of the Andalusians were made on a daily basis. Above the temple, strange machines were flying in the sky, no doubt from the military base nearby that served as main headquarters for the army as well as protection for the seat of government and religion. The machines flew on their own using magic, the Andalusians were determined not to have any pegasus ponies amidst their ranks. The earth ponies that were piloting them were on constant alert against any surprise aerial attacks from the said winged counterparts. A lone pony in newly repaired armor arrived at her destination. Silver stood in front of the high temple's massive wooden doors. Earlier, she was told she got a promotion and a new assignment. With a new bead added to her mane, she bade her old comrades in Fillydelphia farewell and traveled back to Andalon with instructions to proceed to the country's main building of leadership. The temple's doors parted a bit. The platinum maned pony's eyes teared when she saw who came out. "Lighthoof!" she yelled. The two ponies ran toward each other and laid their heads across each other's shoulder. "I missed you so much!" both said in unison. Lighthoof explained that it was she who made possible Silver's transfer. During the few months they were apart, the former sergeant rose quickly among the special operations. So fast that she was now second in command in the Organization of Strategic Steeds (O.S.S.). One day, when her superiors asked her to look into candidates to perform a very unique role, she jumped at the opportunity to get her best friend back. She further mentioned that though she wasn't fully aware of the details, the job included a meeting with the very leader of Andalon himself, Arch-lord Destrier. They were to see him now. They went inside the high temple. With the way toward the audience chamber being a little walk, they took the opportunity to chat about old times. During the midst of conversation, a pony approached them, slowly enough that they were unaware he was even there. "Hello." came an unfamiliar voice behind them. "Hello." replied a surprised Silver. "Hello, I'm seeking to have an audience with the Arch-lord. Do you know perhaps where he may be at?" said the unknown yet cordial male pony. Lighthoof replied in a friendly manner. "We're meeting him right now, you can come with us to the audience chamber if you'd like." The stranger nodded and gave his thanks. The now trio walked further on for several minutes past guards and clerks posted along the way. The guards, upon seeing the second-in-command of the OSS, let them pass without question. After what seemed like a long time to Silver, they reached the center of the temple - the audience chamber. The stranger thanked the two and went off to one side. The impressive audience chamber was a grand area to emphasize the power of the pony that ruled over Andalon. It was a large dome with massive stone arches reaching to the zenith several stories high. There were murals everywhare even on the ceiling. All the paintings depict earth ponies communing with angels and other supernatural creatures of light. The whole place was brightly illuminated by huge glass globes filled with gas that were magically induced to glow intensely. The very bright orbs were suspended from the ceiling with thick iron chains and cradled by golden bands. Around the chamber, there were ponies huddled near the walls of the dome. Petitioners, aristocrats, government officials, temple priests, and plain spectators all stared at the lone pony at the center. Arch-lord Destrier was not only the leader of their country but also the leader of their faith. The result being the citizens had a strong devotion to him, as strong as the Equestrians had for Princess Celestia. There was a long line of citizens in front of the ponytificate. Many wanted money or land, some came to settle disputes, while others tried to lobby for their varied causes. Silver and Lighthoof waited patiently until the set time for the audience with the Arch-lord was over. They spent the hours chatting about old friends and what they have been up to while separated. In the late afternoon, a crier announced the audience over. The visitors slowly began exiting through the doors. When the crowd thinned out significantly, Destrier stood up from his throne and walked towards Silver and Lighthoof. He was still in his prime, despite the heavy mantle of office, he approached the two with a spring in his step. The duo was still hotly debating which stallion was cuter among the four minstrel group, the "Backalley Lads", when they heard somebody clearing his throat behind them. Without looking to see who it was the duo quickly kneeled in front of the ponytificate. "Ah, so this is the pony you selected for this very special mission." said the lord of all Andalon. "Yes, your eminence." Lighthoof said with reverence. "What is your name, child ?" the ponytificate asked. "My name is Silver, Silver Aletear, my lord." she responded. "Are you loyal to Andalon, Silver Aletear?" he said. Before she could answer, another pony who wasn't there before spoke. "Hello." A familiar voice interrupted their meeting. Three pairs of eyes turned their heads to the speaker. The unknown pony spoke again, "Hello, are you Arch-lord Destrier?" The Arch-lord was not used to being interrupted. "Yes! Who are you to barge into our conversation?" he said angrily. The stranger spoke in a flat tone, "Hello, my name is Inigo Mountoya. You killed my sire, prepare to die." He then proceeded to draw out his sword. Silver quickly jumped between the Arch-lord and his would-be killer. The battle hardened pony pulled her own sword out of it's scabbard with her teeth. Meanwhile, the chamber guards began edging toward the attacker. Lighthoof tried to move their leader out of danger but she couldn't even budge the large stallion from where he stood. The Lord of Alll Andalon watched the duelists, the knight and the assassin square off. "Do not interfere with these two!" he commanded the guards. The soldiers looked perplexed but they complied without hesitation. After he spoke, the Arch-lord finally backed away from the ensuing duel. But, his intentions were to give the two combatants more room and he, a better view. Inigo Mountoya was a pony with long, curly black mane and a pencil thin mustache. In a different setting he could be described as a dashing young Andalusian out to capture the hearts of young mares throughout the land. His current expression however, mired his handsome look. The male pony attacked first. He charged at Silver. When he got to sword range, he abruptly knelt and swept his sword in a deadly sideways arch, aiming to chop off her forelegs. Being held in the mouth, sword attacks and parries were limited to swinging the blade side to side and at an angle. Vertical cleaves and blocks were impossible. However, the ponies who mastered the art of sword-fighting found other ways to counter. Silver spun her whole body in synch with the enemy's blade. There was only a fraction of an inch between the tip pf the sword and her belly but it was enough to completely miss her. At the moment she turned 180 degrees from the enemy, she kicked with one of her hind legs. Inigo was hit on the face but he rolled on the ground so that it was only a glancing blow. He quickly stood up and attempted a riposte on the now exposed flank of Silver. The tip of his blade managed to catch a gap between her pleated rear armor and drew first blood. The fair furred mare winced at the cut. She quickly repositioned herself facing the enemy. "This was no crazy pony. He was trained at swordplay." she thought. Inigo smiled behind his sword, admiring his handiwork. Lighthoof was watching the whole scene beside the Arch-lord. Even though she was confident her best friend could win this duel, after she saw the trickle of blood, she could no longer bear to just stay in the sidelines. She pulled out a small stick with runes engraved from a sheath strapped to her right foreleg. This was her PDW, her personal defense wand. It could shoot a burst of arcane energy at a short distance with enough power to knockdown a minotaur. Archlord Destrier tapped Lighthoof on the shoulder and shook his head. She complied for the time being and looked back to the fight. It was Silver's turn to strike. She lunged and started a sideways chop like what Inigo did before. Her opponent ducked his head, anticipating the blow. "Gotcha!" the sword-mare thought to herself. She loosened her bite on the handle and the sword moved in her mouth so that it was now in line with her head. With the tip of the sword now directly pointing at Inigo, she thrust at the base of his exposed neck, between the shoulder blades. The tip just bounced harmlessly off the skin. This took her by surprise and she quickly backtracked without following up her attack. In the meantime, the male pony did not counter but just smiled while he pointed to his chest. She figured out the gesture. "He has a talisman against slashing attacks!" she yelled. This pony, she realized, planned well his attempt on the head of Andalon's life. With his secret revealed, Inigo started to turn towards Destrier. Feeling overconfident, he decided to leave the duel and proceed with his main goal. Silver reminded him who his opponent was by chopping hard at his flank. The sword rang and her head throbbed a bit from the vibration. There was a benefit to her strike though. Despite no cut was made, the edge of the sword applied a tremendous amount of crushing pressure on a small area. Blood vessels ruptured beneath the skin and pain registerd on her foe's face. She realized Inigo relied too much on the talisman and did not wear any armor under his garments. It was her turn to smile. She baited him to attack. She dodged, jumped back and pirouette out of reach of each slash. She saved her strength to deliver hard blows to key muscle areas that control movement and areas of the body with a lot of nerve clusters. After what seemed to be a long time but in reality only several minutes, Inigo began to tire from his constant swings and the pain in his limbs. He mumbled with the sword still gripped in his mouth his admiration of the opponent who managed to match his skills in sword-fighting. Silver gently put her sword down in front of her and asked him to repeat his words since she couldn't understand what he said the first time. Inigo put his sword down as well and began to re-tell her of his admiration of her prowess. "I said - " he started. But before any more words came out of his mouth, Silver spun and roundhouse bucked his face with both hind legs. The fight was over. He was unconscious before he hit the floor. While the guards picked up the incapacitated Inigo, Lighthoof galloped to Silver's side. "Are you okay?" The look of concern on her face was evident. She started to tend to her friend's wounds. "A little tired, never thought I had to fight here." Silver mused while she looked at the Arch-lord's throne - the figurative and literal seat of power. Destrier walked towards the two, all the while staring at Silver. "Apologies for the interruption your eminence," the wounded pony started. "I'm ready to answer any questions you have." "That won't be necessary." said the leader of Andalon with a grin. "You're just the pony for the job." He turned around and left the chamber through a doorway in a side alcove, his entire retinue followed close behind. "What just happened?" a confused Silver asked Lighthoof. "I think, he likes you? " was all her best friend could answer.