To my indomitable and resolute Princess Celestia, in the 99th YR, my 1,200th letter
How grand of thee to come down to the main gates to welcome me in, thyself. I can well understand the anxiety of the guard not to let anyone suspicious into Canterlot. No apology is necessary. So the situation has become worse. To have another disappearance happen, just before my arrival would demoralize the most stalwart of soldiers, but the vanishing of Captain Sharp Spear is additionally disquieting. Do not dismay that we can find him, and make no gesture to replace him, least the odor of fear turn to panic. Instead appoint me (temporarily) as 1st Lieutenant of the Knight Watch and his second in command. In this function I can continue the investigation while stabilizing moral among the guard.
Alas, I begin to suspect that my return may have prompted this attack. Our enemy may have known of me and was impelled to act rashly. Still, we are at a loss to identify this nameless threat. I am writing to you since I believe our enemy is close. Share these reports with no pony.
I am not so egotistical to think that Captain Sharp Spear’s evaporation may be due to his own investigations. I would not be surprised at all, if the good Captain had discovered something important. This will be my first duty to retrace his steps, and double check his appointments.
In addition enjoy the company of Jorge the Griffin, he is acting as your personal guard in my stead and use him as your first line of defense. As a griffin he may handle threats not common to ponies. Don’t go anywhere without him and do not go anywhere alone.
The ponies of Canterlot have shown inspired resolve to weather these events. They need a diversion, so instead of the normal gala. Let’s make this a city wide event, converting the courtyards and streets into dance and banquet open air halls.
I am so sorry that you reacted badly to Am Dodger, yes her dark coloring is similar to Princess Luna, but I did not see much resemblance beyond that. I remember Nightmare Moon to be a bit dour and not as humorous. Dodger is busy crafting something at the smithy, so she will not be troubling you much. Still once you get to know her, I think the differences between her and Luna will become more evident.
There are too many who knew or may have known of my return. Thou did act too quick to announce my return to the lords and ladies of the court, and they probably shared the information with their staff. Who in turn shared the information with family, dress makers, and others? This may not be as bad a thing as it seems. Some pony declining to know this, may protest too much.
In other words, we must play the most dangerous of games with our unknown enemy, by pretending to know who they are. I have no details on this yet. Await my next report. I have appointments, in the following order; Captain Spear’s orderly, the Baroness Lady Onyx, the court pastry chef, Lord Diamond the exchequer, the smithy Iron Hoff and Dodger, the sergeant of the guard, you, the royal cupbearer, and the seneschal Viscount Emerald. Should I desert my quest that will tell you something? You may depend on me to discover our enemy, as I depend on thee and the elements of harmony to dispatch them. Sum-po-neigh Knot Yew.