Once again, Oak managed to avoid the bugle's call, nodding a greeting to Lieutenant Sky as he headed for breakfast. Despite the fact he had followed Remedy’s instructions, taking the medicine just after waking, he had already swallowed the bitter paste before realizing it. It remained only a minor concern, given he hadn’t given himself time to properly awaken.
This morning’s breakfast was a far cry from the previous meals they had offered. There were two choices: porridge, or porridge with raisins. Opting for the latter, and any degree of flavour it might offer, Oak had taken a seat near the front, setting his glass of water down next to the thin gruel. Not only did the meal look awful—he realized as he swallowed his first bite—it tasted awful, matching the consistency of a wet paper bag.
As the other ponies began to file in, Oak looked for his friends, finding Frittata coaxing an unwilling Noche Buena into the light. The unicorn all but collapsed to the table Oak sat at, greedily consuming Oak’s water before hiding underneath his hooves.
“Ow, ow, ow,” the maroon unicorn moaned.
“Take it last night went well?” Oak asked, chuckling at his friend’s plight.
“You have no idea,” Frittata laughed, placing another glass of water before Noche. “We went to a few bars, trying a few drinks, but it was only after Noche tried hitting on a mare that the problems started.”
“Oh, I can already see where this is going.”
The pegasus smiled knowingly. “After her fiance returned from the washroom, Noche here had the utterly brilliant idea to challenge him to a drinking contest.”
“How can anypony drink so much?” Noche whined.
“You could have given up,” she informed him.
“But my honour was on the line,” he protested lamely.
“And tell me how that turned out?”
Noche grunted pitifully, peaking out long enough to drink the second glass of water before nestling further into his hooves.
“So just oatmeal?” Frittata asked, unenthusiastically staring at Oak’s bowl.
“Yeah,” he sighed. “I wasn’t too thrilled either.”
“No coffee either I imagine,” she said to herself, rubbing her eyes. “Might not have had much to drink, but Celestia knows I stayed up way too late. Any idea what’s happening today?”
“None,” Oak offered. “Sky didn’t say anything to me this morning.”
“You’re lucky to have him instead of Commander Cherry Blossom waking you up. She plays that damn bugle like she’s strangling a hydra.”
“That bad?”
“Worse. Can you do me a favor and wake me when they come get us?” Frittata requested, setting her head down on the table. “I think I’ll skip breakfast for a few more minutes of sleep.”
Nodding, Oak continued to eat his meal, rising only to get another fresh glass of water. Close to twenty minutes later, the sound of an approaching guard gave him the warning he needed. With one eye on the opening door, he leaned across the table to shake both of his sleeping friends as Cherry Blossom entered.
“Up on your hooves all of you!” she shouted to the room. “Today your training really starts!”
~~~~~~~~~~~
“All of you are to understand one thing and one thing only: there is no flexibility within the laws of Equestria,” Cherry Blossom shouted, pacing at the front of the lecture hall like an irritated feline. “They do not bend, and they certainly do not leave room for interpretation. It is our duty to enforce these laws steadfastly. Furthermore, just because you have a position of power, does not leave it open to abuse. If I catch anypony exploiting their power for even miniscule gain, I will personally throw you in the dungeon and leave you to rot.”
Throughout the room, a few ponies rolled their eyes at her threat.
“Try me if you think I’m joking,” she threatened with all the warmth of a glacier. “We have three guards down there right now. Two cases of accepted bribery and one of ponyslaughter through negligence. So if you think you can slip one past me, then by all means go ahead.
“At the core of Equestria’s laws exist three defining facets: freedom, safety and responsibility. The laws strike a balance and offer ideal circumstances for all to thrive. Some ponies try to take shortcuts to their desires, through hurting others, sometimes terribly so. It is our duty to apprehend these ponies before they cause irreparable harm. Nothing can be overlooked as the most innocent of violations can turn deadly. Corporal Brioso!” she called out, spotting something.
“Yes commander,” the unicorn standing in the front corner answered.
“Pass me one of the books, the one for unicorns,” she commanded, holding out a hoof expectantly. Cherry Blossom hefted the small hardcover book she was passed, gauging its weight, then whipped it out into the hall before her.
Oak jerked his head to the side as the book rocketed towards the seat next to him. Noche shouted in pain, waking from his brief slumber.
“Shiiii–” he hissed, clenching his smarting head between his hooves.
“Let me make one thing very clear!” Cherry Blossom shouted. “Being a part of the guard demands a measure of dignity and respect. Even when you are off duty, you represent the Royal Guard, and by extension, our government. Public drunkenness and rambunctious behavior will not be tolerated within the guard. Furthermore, if you are unfit for duty next day, I will have some very sharp words for you. Do I make myself clear, Noche Buena!” she demanded pointedly.
“Yes,” he moaned, picking himself up from the floor.
“Good, take the book and get out of here. You are dismissed. I will be personally giving you a special test tomorrow on the content of the book you have been provided. You’d be wise to memorize it from cover to cover.”
“But–” Noche protested.
“Did I not make myself clear?” Cherry Blossom asked pointedly. “You are dismissed.”
“See you guys,” Noche whispered in a depressed tone, taking his book and making for the door.
“Corporal Briso, please pass out the rest of them,” the commander continued.
The grey unicorn nodded, levitating books out into the room, green for pegasi and blue for unicorns, Oak realized after a moment. The earth pony handled his own with concern, flipping open the first few pages to see what sort of specifics it entailed.
“The book you have been given contains all the laws and regulations of Equestria. Furthermore, depending on whether you are a pegasus or a unicorn, it will also tell you to what degree you are permitted to make use of your abilities. For instance, if a pony is merely shoplifting, unicorns are only permitted to use class one stun spells. However, if you were chasing a murderer who was actively resisting, class four spells are permitted. Yes?” Cherry Blossom asked, seeing a raised hoof.
“What are class one and four spells?” a light blue unicorn near the front questioned.
“That is why you were given the books,” she explained. “Unless your brain is made from trash, which I imagine accounts for most of you, read it and learn it well. Given that out of the four of us—myself, General Candlelight, Lieutenant Sky and Sergeant Featherlight—only one is a unicorn, Corporal Briso shall be assisting you in training in a reserved role. Should any unicorns have specific questions, ask him.”
“Righto, Commander,” Brioso answered.
“And behave yourself, corporal.”
“Who, me?” he asked, innocently.
The Lunar Guard Commander ignored the unicorn entirely. “Everypony open to page twenty-four!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Noche had made it all of five steps outside the room before spying a bench and collapsing onto it. Sighing gratefully, he smiled, finding comfort on even the hard stone. His aching head bid him to sleep, and nothing compelled to act against the urge. Setting the book over his head, he promptly dozed off. Though his dreams may have been pleasant, evident by the stupid grin he wore, they were brief. A moist, slightly sticky hoof was shoved into his ear, twisting, before Noche jerked away, tumbling from his seat.
“Dammit Frittata!” Noche growled, instantly recognizing her laugh. “You know I hate that!”
“Oh calm down,” she guffawed. “You can’t say anything after last night.”
“Besides, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you move so fast,” chuckled Oak, helping the unicorn up.
“So what’d I miss?” he sighed, rubbing his ear clear.
“Not much.”
“Geez that mare can pitch,” Noche grunted, rubbing the lump on his head.
“I should hope so,” Corporal Brioso commented, overhearing the last comment as he exited the room. “Cherry’s the best shot in the guard. She’s also the strictest,” he added, somewhat mournfully.
“Yeah, I got that impression.”
“Heck, quite frankly she’s exaggerating,” he elaborated, rolling a hoof. “We aren’t that draconic, I mean, Shining Armour always took my pranks in stride. It’s just those try-hard Lunar Guards that can’t take a joke. Anywho, have to go. Candlelight wants me for some reason or another. See ya!” He waved whimsically, walking off.
“Um, ok...” Frittata muttered in puzzlement. “Is it just me or was something... off, with that pony?”
“What are you talking about?” Noche said cheerfully, trotting down the hall. “He seems great!”
“Do you even know where you’re going?” Oak called after him.
The stallion stopped and turned around, retracing the distance. “Right...”
“It’s this way you lug.” Frittata informed him, heading the other direction. “Apparently we’re supposed to meet in room 112a, don’t know where that is.”
“I just hope she’s not there.”
“Don’t worry,” Frittata soothed him, “Commander Cherry Blossom mentioned something about writing your test.”
“Right,” Noche groaned.
The three of them chatted, sharing jokes and jibes in earnest. As they walked, however, Oak was struck by the odd feeling that he was missing something. Perhaps it may have been just from his concussion, or perhaps his imagination, but Oak could swear he’d heard the soft crumpling of snow for a brief moment. Three steps, or perhaps six, was all it lasted for, but it was enough. Letting the others continue the conversation ahead of him, Oak lost himself in thought, looking up at the clear, crystal blue sky.
“Yo Oak!” Noche exclaimed, poking his horn into Oak’s shoulder. “You with us?
“Yeah... sorry about that.”
Noche gestured to the open door with a hoof, bowing slightly. “Mares first.”
Oak rolled his eyes, and walked past.
At the center of the room General Candlelight stood patiently, appearing as little more than a statue. Initially, the recruits thought he was waiting for something, passing the time motionless, but as Sergeant Featherlight shut the doors, only for nothing to happen, quiet murmuring broke out.
“What’s he waiting there for?” Frittata whispered into Oak’s ear.
“I don’t know.”
Another minute past before General Candlelight coughed briefly, flicking his eyes up to the ceiling, before falling back into his previous position. Only a few ponies noticed the subtle indication, Oak being one of them. Glancing up to the ceiling, Oak felt his heart pound in surprise when he saw Caldor, clinging to one of the ordinate spires, lending the earth pony a hearty wink. Defying gravity, the gryphon let go, pirouetting weightless in the air, held aloft with subtle wing movements, before plunging to the floor, absorbing the` shock with his legs. A few ponies shrieked at his sudden appearance, taking a gaping step back.
“Mornin’,” Caldor called out, turning about and casually strolling to the far side of the room. His destination was a set of weapon racks, each holding a variety of armaments.
“This is Caldoris Hawkeye, the gryphon I spoke of yesterday,” General Candlelight spoke up, breaking his silence. “He will be training you in the art of combat. Caldor asked me to greet you as I did as a test.”
“Which you all failed!” the gryphon hollered from across the room, placing a sword in a sheath along his side and two wooden staves on his back. “How can any of you expect to be guards when you’re not even bloody observant enough to notice what’s above you? Ah could hav’ placed three arrows in any of ya’ before you could have bothered to react.” Finished arming himself, Caldor glanced to Candlelight. “So, General, what do you want me to start with?”
“I am leaving that up to your complete discretion, provided it remains within reason. The princesses asked for you specifically, so I shall trust your judgement. As I have other duties to tend to, I am afraid I must depart.”
Caldor shrugged. “Alright, suit yourself.” Patiently waiting for the door to shut, Caldor launched into his lesson. “Alright then. ‘ow many of you think you know how to fight?”
A few hooves were raised in reply, scattered throughout the crowd. For a brief moment, Oak considered joining them, however something in the way the question was worded gave him pause. Better to underestimate his own limits than overestimate, the dull ache in his side reminded him.
“Step forward then, let’s get a better look at you,” Caldor said. Seven ponies stepped forward, standing confidently before him, almost arrogantly so.
“No, no, no, eh... perhaps, no, no, definitely not,” Caldor said, his eyes working down the ragged line.
“Hold on a moment!” a brown stallion called out. “How can you judge us without seeing us fight?”
“Oh?” Caldor asked innocently. “Care to prove me wrong?”
“Damn right I will,” he said, stepping forward.
The gryphon uttered a short barking laugh of amusement, as if he had been expecting that response. Grabbing from his back the two staves, he tossed one to the unicorn. “Catch,” he stated simply, earning a look of befuddlement.
Barely had the stallion grasped his stave before Caldor fell upon him, twirling the other one expertly. A tap to the side of the unicorn’s horn sent his stave tumbling, another swept his legs from beneath him, the third swing bringing the tip to bear at his throat.
“Congratulations,” Caldor announced, “you’re dead.”
“I wasn’t ready,” the unicorn protested, his adam’s apple bobbing against the point.
“Oh how lovely!” the gryphon exclaimed, withdrawing, allowing the stallion to rise. “Tell that to the being who places a blade through your chest. Try complaining as you’re choking on your own blood. The only way you survive is always being prepared. But just because, Ah’ll give you another chance. Ah’ll even let you get the first blow.”
The unicorn’s stave levitated in the stallion’s grasp.
“Well, Ah’m waiting.”
Gritting his teeth, the unicorn pulled back his staff, readying his first blow. The stave had barely begun its arc, before Caldor leapt into action. Stepping inside the blow, he rammed his head into the stallion’s, plowing him back a few steps, once more sending the stave tumbling to the floor. However, unlike last time he did not settle for the gentle takedown, as relative as that term may have been. The butt of the gryphon’s stave plowed into the the unicorn’s chest, knocking him back a half pace. Reversing his grip, Caldor spun around and nearly broke his own weapon on the side of the stallion’s head. The unicorn’s hooves left the ground for a brief moment, then he crashed limply to the ground, unconscious before he landed.
“Your talent may be fighting, fencing, archery or anything of the sort,” Caldor said to the silent room, “but talent will only take you so far. Mastery only comes with years of practice, something which none of you have. Lose the ego now, because if he was truly the best of all of you, none of you would last a minute in true battle.”
Taking a few strides to his right, Caldor grabbed hold of a bucket filled with water. His eyes sparkled mischievously, betraying his stern facade, as he glanced at the liquid he had prepared ahead of time. With a yelp of shock, a torrent of icy water revived the unicorn. Struggling to hold back a chuckle, Caldor set the empty bucket, returning his attention to his spellbound audience.
“Before Ah teach you how to fight, not flail about like an infant, there are two things you need to know,” he stated, directing the woozy and shivering unicorn back into the line. “Leave the notion of fair play and honour at the door. You fight to win, using everything at your disposal. When you don’t, you are risking your own life, and more importantly, the life of your comrades. Second, drop the ego. Pick and choose your fights when you’re able. Gods know its the only reason I’m still alive.” Caldor let the implications of his words sink in. “Right,” he exclaimed, clapping his claws together, “let’s get started.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
“Alright, take a break, all of ya,” Caldor announced. “Ya got, say... About five minutes before we take another crack at this.”
Oak sighed, wiping his dripping mane from his eyes and once again cursing his coat’s length. The gryphon had placed them all through a series of exercises designed for the purpose of teaching control and conditioning their bodies. Repetitious movements, such as lifting weights over and over, repeating the action till it was engraved on their muscles, then once more for good measure. It had been a brutally exhausting set of exercises, and Oak had a theory that it was only the precursor to the real training.
“Celestia help me,” Noche moaned, crawling over. “I can’t feel my legs.”
“It’s your own fault,” Frittata commented, splayed out on the floor.
“Great guy by the way, Oak,” the maroon unicorn continued. “Why do I get the feeling he is trying to kill us?”
“Quit your bellyaching,” Oak chuckled, “it’s not that bad.” Although he was tired, Oak found his limbs burning almost pleasantly.
Frittata fixed him with a disapproving glare. “Do we really need to get into why you’d have an easy time with this?” she asked. “I mean it’s not like you’re better at this because you’re a ‘pegasus’ or anything.”
“Okay, so maybe it’s not quite...”
At the patter of metal against stone, Oak trailed off, glancing over his shoulders at the doors where the noise came from. Each of the officers involved in training trotted in, respectfully trailing General Candlelight. “Heads up guys,” Oak whispered. “They’re here.”
“Who?” Noche asked, scrambling to his hooves with a speed that belied his complaints.
“What can Ah do for ya’ General Candlelight?” Caldor asked, a set of large square pads hefted over his shoulder.
“Pay us no heed,” the unicorn replied. “We’re just here to observe.”
“Trying to steal my tricks?” Caldor joked. “Ah have something else for you to if ya’ want. Goin’ to have them practice bucking, and need some bodies to hold the pads. You up for it?”
“Don’t see why not,” he decided, taking one of the pads from Caldor.
“Good. Everyone up, we’re cutting this break short.”
“Oh yay,” Noche sighed to himself.
“Really?” Oak asked skeptically, displeased at the sour tone Noche took.
“Fine,” he grumbled. “Oh yay!” he repeated, even more acidlously.
“Noche!” Oak admonished. “Seriously, what’s your problem?”
“Oh, maybe its the fact that I still have a hangover?” he suggested.
“Yes, and that’s your fault,” Frittata informed him. “Just ignore him, Oak, he’s just being crabby.”
The earth pony turned his attention back to the gryphon and the Royal Guard officers. Each now held a pad, standing a few metres apart from one another.
“Alright everyone!” Caldor called out. “Form up a few lines and give the pads a good kick. Give it everythin’ you have.”
The crowd messily shaped up into five lines, the first of each trotting forward for their turn. Oak was just about to enter a line before Caldor caught his eye, and tossed his head towards the general. Taking a few pensive steps towards the other line, Oak waited for the white gryphon’s slight nod before joining. Every few seconds, a pony would trot forward, turn on the spot, glancing back over their shoulder, before delivering a kick. Plenty were sloppy and poorly coordinated. A few, however, managed to deliver solid kicks, their legs shooting out like twin pistons. Each and every time, the Royal Guards would absorb the shock.
Then it was Oak’s turn.
Trepidly, he stepped forward, briefly meeting Candlelight’s gaze over the pad held like a shield. Something inside Oak sparked, begging him to show off what he was capable of. Pushing against the grounds, he twirled about on his front hooves, legs coiled up to strike. Had General Candlelight not disregarded the earth pony’s powerfully toned legs in light of the bandages, he might have remained standing, reeling from the blow, but still upright.
The crash of silver armour against the marble brought a halt to all motion within the room. Under the immediate gaze of all, Oak could barely think straight enough to attempt an explanation.
“Ha!” Caldor boomed in laughter, startling many. “That’ll teach ya not to underestimate him.”
Candlelight did not share in the gryphon’s amusement as he rose from the floor. “Caldor, I’ll be taking Oak Leaf off your hooves for the rest of practice; I need to speak to him.”
“Not over this, Ah hope?” Caldor asked hesitantly.
“Like you said, it was my own fault.”
Oak let out the breath he had been holding, only to seize up again in silent fright. There were precious few topics which the general would need to discuss with him privately. Had he really been figured out so quickly? Under the ushering gaze of Candlelight, Oak strode towards the door, ignoring the snickering glances of the other recruits.
“Um...” Oak stammered, once they were once the room was out of earshot, “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I will tell you when we reach our destination,” the answer came in a tone that bore no tolerance for discussion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Princess Celestia!” a voice called from behind her.
The long legged alicorn stopped, glancing over her shoulder to the stallion quickly approaching. “Sir Phalanx,” Celestia said, greeting the minister of finance. “What is it?”
The chalky blue unicorn came to a halt, huffing slightly. Though the years had not been kind to the elderly stallion, he still managed his ministry and the finances of Equestria in a way nopony else could. Though he often disagreed with both Celestia and Luna on matters of taxation and expenditures, Silver Phalanx never let feuds or debates stray from the professional arena of politics. He was quite a pleasant fellow in his own right.
“Do you have a minute, Princess?” he asked, offering a beige folder to Celestia.
“I have a meeting with the botanical committee, but you may walk with me,” she answered, tugging lightly on the folder.
Phalanx relinquished the folder to his princess, following a few steps alongside her as she began to walk. “As you are aware, Princess, taxes were recently filed. In the report I left, passed along to you yesterday, I detailed the situation. What do you propose we–”
“Pardon my interruption, but who delivered the scroll?” Celestia inquired.
“Lieutenant Haste,” Phalanx responded.
Inwardly, Celestia sighed. Her conversation with Eastern Haste had continued on for the better part of a half hour. When he finally left, her secretary came in, informing her of her other commitments. The scrolls had been left unread on her desk, put off until today.
“I’m afraid I didn’t have the time to read through them, Phalanx,” she told him. “Could you summarize it for me?”
Phalanx snorted in irritation. “Very well, Princess. With taxes being filled, we customarily send out a few members of the guards to collect the gathered bits once a message is passed to the treasury. However, this year a number of towns and villages have fallen past the deadline. I would like your approval to send one of my representatives along with a few Royal Guards to investigate the matter.”
“Surely you could wait a few more days,” Celestia suggested, passing the folder and navigating a corner. “Bad weather could cause a delay, or perhaps a pony reluctant to file held up the collection. Nopony enjoys handing over money, especially if they may be having trouble.”
“Yes, but we have considered both of those things,” Phalanx answered somewhat testily. “Plus, we have already waited an extra ten days, with no words from any of the representatives. It’d be a different story if they had requested an extension. Do I need to remind you that it is a criminal offence to withhold tax money?”
“No, Phalanx, you do not,” she replied, coming to a stop.
“Then let me take care of it, Princess,” Phalanx urged. “Let me send a few ponies from my ministry to the affected areas along with a few small contingents of Royal Guards. I intend to send my most–”
Celestia silenced him with a gently raised hoof. “Alright, Phalanx, you have my permission to proceed. However,” she cautioned, “the Royal Guard contingents are to be small, perhaps eight at the absolute most, solely for the purpose of protection. They are to report back once they find out the situation, not to retrieve the money through force.”
“But–” he protested.
“I will not hear of them resorting to force. The Royal Guards will be for protection only.”
“But the North–”
“Enough, Phalanx,” Celestia commanded, tapping her hoof against the floor to punctuate her command. “Now I understand your concerns, but they are ill-founded. I apologize, but I’m afraid I have to leave you here,” she said, gesturing to the door to her left.
Phalanx sighed. “Very well, Princess.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Despite another request, Candlelight remained tight-lipped. The earth pony’s fears only mounted as they walked further and further away from the room they had left. However, the very same fears became tinged with confusion as Candlelight stopped, and gestured to a door.
“The infirmary?” Oak questioned, puzzled.
“Yes, now please enter.”
Stepping through, Oak found himself looking at the back of Apple Cobbler’s head as he worked away at the desk. More worrisome, however, were the two Solar Guards at the ready on either side of the door, tensing as Oak entered.
Candlelight cleared his throat. “Doctor Cobbler.”
“What?” the unicorn asked, jerking his head away from his work. As he spied Oak, his joyful expression fell. “Is this him?”
“Yes. Please tell him what you told me.”
At this point, Oak was in near hysteria, struggling to keep his horror from his eyes and expression. Any moment, they would deliver their verdict and throw him out of the guard. Away from the others, nopony would know what had happened, that they did not believe in him, just because of who he was.
“... Oak Leaf?” Cobbler repeated again.
“Sorry,” he blurted. “Thinking of something.”
Cobbler and Candlelight shared a brief glance. “Right...” began Cobbler. “While I was doing your bloodwork, I found things that have no place being in a pony, yet I suppose they may just be a result of your treatment. Have you been taking some sort of medicine?”
Oak nodded earnestly, relieved. “Yes. Doctor Remedy gave me some.”
The tension disappeared from Cobbler’s expression. “Oh, that is a relief. Are you still taking this medicine?”
Once more, he nodded. “Just for another day.”
“So you still have some of it left?” Candlelight asked.
“Yes, in my bags.”
“Go get them.”
“Right now?” Oak questioned.
“Yes, did you not hear me?” Candlelight asked with a peevish frown. “Sergeant,” he continued, addressing one of the guards alongside him, “please accompany Oak Leaf to the recruits’ barracks.”
One of the burly pegasus guards nodded, stepping forward to take his place alongside the earth pony, following Oak as he left the room. The stern and silence presence of his escort began to unnerve Oak as they continued to trot along. The guard remained distant enough to stifle conversation, but close enough to grab Oak if he decided to bolt. Gradually, the forest-green pony became acutely aware of this fact, and felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise in unease.
“Are you sure you are ready for this, mate?” a distinctly male voice commented.
“Come again?” Oak asked, halting to look at the pegasus.
The guard returned Oak’s question with a blank stare. “What?”
“Didn’t you just say something?” Oak questioned, suddenly unsure of himself.
“No...” the stallion replied in a low tenor, so unlike the voice he had heard.
Carefully scrutinizing him for the whisper of a lie, Oak gave an indifferent grunt, before continuing on to the barracks. It took him all of a moment to remember which trunk he had claimed. However, as he flipped open the lid, he was pushed to the side.
“I’ll take those,” the guard said, lifting the saddlebags and promptly leaving the room, regardless of Oak’s wishes.
The return trip was similar to the outbound one, except the order was reversed. This time, Oak followed the pegasus, who appeared almost uncaring of whether he followed or not. The General was standing in the place he had been before, quite comfortable waiting motionlessly.
“That’s it, Sergeant?” he asked, taking hold of the bags.
“Yes sir.”
“Thank you. The two of your are dismissed.”
Both pegasi snapped Candlelight a brief salute before departing.
General Candlelight brought forth one of the corked vials, bringing it close to his face to peer at it. “This is the medicine, correct?”
“Yes sir,” Oak answered.
“Good,” he replied, passing it to Cobbler. The wine red unicorn quickly went to work, withdrawing small amounts of the pasty liquid to place in clean, small test tubes. Each vial was carefully set aside in a expansive rack. “Now, Oak Leaf,” Candelight said, snatching Oak’s attention away from the process, “you are to return to training, and stay there for the remainder of the day. However, once you’re finished and are dismissed for the evening, you are to request an officer to accompany you back here. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes sir.”
“You are–” Candlelight trailed off abruptly. “Excuse me for a moment.”
“Sir?”
The silver clad unicorn stood with his eyes closed in thought, before replying. “I forgot you will not be able to take part in pegasus training. Forget what I said earlier; I’ll assign an officer to begin to teach you the basics of castle etiquette instead of the initial pegasi training.” The general cracked a smile. “I must admit, I didn’t expect you to hit me nearly as hard as you did. If you can do that without your wings, I cannot wait to see what else you are capable of.”
“Thank you, Sir,” Oak replied, forcing a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“That’s it?” Noche exclaimed. “That’s all he wanted you for.”
Having returned to the training room, Oak found the other recruits splitting off into groups of four, about to start another one of Caldor’s drills. Noche and Frittata, along with a slender baby blue pegasus mare, were waiting for him to complete their quartet. During the cycling breaks, Oak had explained to them what had transpired.
“Yeah, that’s pretty much it.”
“Switch!” Caldor called out across the room,
Oak bent down into the pushup position, beginning to count them off as Frittata continued alongside him.
“Sounds fishy to me,” Mist Rose commented, tossing her pale scarlet ponytail over her shoulder as she rose.
Noche nodded. “Yeah, pretty much, beautiful.”
Both Oak Leaf and Frittata inwardly groaned. To say that the two had taken a liking to each other would have been putting it mildly. Ever since Mist Rose and Noche Buena had met, the two had spent their time flirting outrageously, playfully lobbying praise upon one another. It wasn’t just constant, it was also outrageously sappy.
“Just thinking what they want with that stuff though,” Noche continued.
“Don’t know, but from the sound of it, I’m sure Oak doesn’t mind it.” She shuddered involuntarily. “I hate anything that resembles swamps.”
“Really?” he questioned. “Some sort of–”
“Switch!” Caldor’s voice rang out, cutting off the question.
“Yeah, bad memories from when I was a filly,” Rose guessed. “Decided to try my luck finding my cutie mark in exploration. Could have picked a safer, and less disgusting place.”
Frittata snickered, shooting Rose an apologetic glance. “I’m sorry, but really?”
“Oh trust me,” she laughed. “there’s plenty more where that came from. Ever met a pony who tried to get a cutie mark in arson?”
“... No.”
“Well now you have, pleasure to meet you,” she responded, offering a hoof in greeting.
“You what?” Frittata muttered, staring at Rose in shock.
“Trust me, you really don’t want to know what I got up to as a filly.”
“Alright everyone, that’s enough for today,” Caldor called out. “Take a few minutes rest, before your next lesson. But before you do, can anyone tell me why Ah had you doing what you did? Ah am suppos’ to be teaching you how to wield a weapon after all. Anyone?” he asked again when no one answered.
“Is it to make sure we’re strong enough?” one recruit voiced.
“Perhaps, but it’s not what Ah had in mind.”
“Endurance?” a mare asked.
“Again, not quite. The most powerful weapon ya’ can ever hope to wield is your body. Even a claymore or a voulge is an extension of your body: an extended limb, not inherently powerful on its own. By training your body, you learn your own limitations and how far you can push yourself. Eventually we will progress to swords and spears, but not before Ah’m sure you’re ready. Now get out of here, all of ya.”
Commander Cherry Blossom coughed loudly, earning the attention of everyone in the room. “We shall now be splitting up into two groups for the beginning of more specific training. All pegasi are to accompany Lieutenant Sky and Sergeant Featherlight to the drill yard. Myself and Corporal Brioso will be taking the unicorns to practice spell casting. Do I make myself clear?”
Murmurs and nods answered.
“Do I make myself clear!” she shouted.
“Yes ma’am,” the overlapping replies returned.
“Good, now get moving.”
“See you guys,” Oak sighed, heading towards the Lunar Guard.
“Where are you going?” Noche asked.
“Candlelight wants me to wait here,” he supplied. “He’s sending somepony to give me a lesson on castle etiquette.”
“See you then hun,” Rose offered, as she and Frittata trotted away to join the pegasi, while Noche headed towards the unicorns.
Taking a deep breath, Oak steeled himself against the inevitable confrontation with the stern mare. “Ma’am?” he asked.
“What is it, recruit?” she snapped, turning about to face him.
“General Candle told me to wait here for an officer to pick me up.”
“And?”
Oak hesitated, fearing another test. “And I just wanted to let you know.”
“Well I don’t need to know unless I ask you,” she retorted. “If the general gave you an order, you are expected to follow it, or do I need to hold your hoof?”
“No, Ma’am.”
“Good,” she finished, lifting off the ground to land alongside Brioso.
Standing there as all the ponies filed out, Oak found himself with nothing to do. Scuffing a hoof against the floor, he glanced back at Caldor, who was right at work putting the few pieces of equipment away.
“Need a hoof, Caldor?” Oak asked hopefully.
Caldor waved him off from across the room. “Nah. Not much for you to do.”
“Oh... Alright.”
Oak Leaf sighed, taking a seat on the floor wait. The sun had just reached the perfect angle, streaming light in from the windows, illuminating floating particles of dust in a familiar display. The image added an additional sense of age to the already ancient building. The structure itself could have very well been forged in the fires of creation if judged by the atmosphere permeating the halls. Only the gleaming marble, testament to the regular cleaning the building underwent, dismissed the possibility of that belief being fact. Outside in the city, a bell rang, chiming three times before falling silent.
“Excuse me, Oak Leaf?” a voice asked, startling him from his thoughts.
Spinning around, the Oak saw an earth pony guard waiting for confirmation. He bore a set of heavily ladened saddlebags over his armour.
“Um...” stammered Oak. “Yes, that’s me.”
“Good, worried I had the wrong room for a moment,” he joked. “I’m Lieutenant Eastern Haste,” he supplied, offering a hoof in greeting. “General Candlelight put me in charge of showing you around the castle, and teaching you a few things. Now, we should be going; I still have a few parcels to deliver.” Haste finished, strolling towards the door.
Oak Leaf caught up with a few quick strides. “A few parcels to deliver?”
The Solar Guard nodded. “There’s many ponies and departments that do not have the time to run back and forth between each other delivering messages. As the guard, we take up this slack for them. Sometimes it can be merely a slip of paper, or a single phrase, but other times it could be a file or a few scrolls.”
“Couldn’t some of the castle staff do that?”
Eastern Haste pondered the question, tilting his head to either side. “Yes, I suppose, and in fact they do sometimes. However, some of the documents we handled shouldn’t become common knowledge. Partially out of security and partially out of privacy. The castle staff do not take the same vows we do, and are rather prone to gossip. How do you think most of those rumors reach the public?”
“Vows? Like what sort?” Oak asked, stepping alongside Eastern Haste onto the cobbled road. The few ponies on the street adjusted their paths to let them pass.
“I’m sure you’ll hear about them later, but all guards have to take the vows when they accept their armour. Everything from oaths to protect Equestria and the princesses, to safeguarding the peace. Nothing is magically enforced mind you,” he added as an afterthought. “At some point I am sure you will be asked to privately deliver a message to another. Short of the princesses or an officer of rank captain or higher requesting it, you’re expected to deliver what they have asked, and then never mention it again.”
Eastern Haste drew to a stop at the base of the road leading to the castle. “This is the main entrance to the castle. All ponies visiting, or attending parliament will come through this entrance. Normally, staff goes through another entrance, but I’ll take you through here today.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
Throughout the tour, Oak struggled to keep his attention on what Eastern Haste was saying, constantly losing himself in the sights. Where the guard’s tower may have been astonishing, the castle was nothing short of breathtaking. Everywhere they travelled, there were stunning works of art, each piece alone enough to merit a private gallery. From masterfully woven tapestries, to vividly coloured vases, each hallway, and every room, presented another wonder to look upon. Beyond the splendors of art, the castle was maintained with astonishing purpose and attention. Nothing was out of place, or left tarnished in even the slightest coating of dust. The entire castle could have easily been cleaner than the day it was built.
The older guard chuckled as Oak Leaf gawked at an elaborate tapestry, depicting a summer celebration, interrupting his own explanation on the differences between the various titles of nobles. “Really something isn’t it?”
Oak blushed in embarrassment as he realized he had ignored his teacher again. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
“It’s quite something to take in in one go, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Oak agreed, shifting uncomfortably.
“You should have seen my first day on duty,” Eastern Haste commented, pulling Oak away from their tapestry. “I could barely keep my eyes in my head.”
“So what’s it like when you first join the guard?” Oak asked, remembering Caldor and Sky’s discussion. Sky’s reaction upon realizing Eastern Haste was in administration had struck Oak as peculiar.
Eastern Haste sighed. “I wouldn’t know, they didn’t select me for the guard.”
Oak’s jaw fell open in astonishment. “What? Then how–”
“I didn’t make the cut, but I qualified for the reserves,” he interrupted. “Thankfully, they came back to me a few weeks later and offered me a place in administration because of my talents. So, a month after everyone else had, I was admitted as Corporal Eastern Haste. It wasn’t quite what I had signed up for, but I’ve grown into it. Evening Jolly,” Eastern Haste commented to the third listener, whom they were approaching.
The unicorn guard stationed by the door nodded curtly. “Evening, Sir. Something for Miss Starbright?”
“Yes, just a brief report.”
“She’s just finishing up for the day. Just head in.”
Eastern Haste knocked on the door, waiting for a muffled acknowledgement before entering. Inside a young off-yellow pegasus with a gentle blue mane peered through microscope, adjusting a dial carefully. The desk she was working on was covered with a array of slides and petri dishes. The room was liberally decorated with similar scientific equipment which Oak Leaf knew best not to ask the purpose of.
“One moment please,” she requested, giving the dial another twirl to increase the magnification. “Fascinating,” she whispered. Twenty seconds passed before Eastern Haste cleared his throat. Sighing, Starbright lifted her head from her work, placing a pair of glasses upon her nose. “What is it?”
“I have the report you wanted, Miss Starbright.”
To Oak’s surprise, Starbright rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Dad?” she asked, giving the bridge of her nose a rub. “I get you’re on duty, but the ‘miss’ thing is getting pretty obnoxious. Alright, let’s see it then,” she said, taking the report from her father. “So who’s this with you?” she questioned, holding the scroll open with one of her wings.
“This is Oak Leaf, one of the Royal Guard recruits,” Eastern Haste introduced. “Oak Leaf, this is my youngest daughter, Starbright.”
His daughter’s face twisted into an ugly scowl as her eyes reached the bottom of the page. “Bunch of thick skulled idiots!” Starbright growled, throwing down the scroll in disgust.
“Something wrong, honey?” he interjected delicately.
“Those bastards denied my request,” she spat angrily. “Didn’t get the funds.”
“Just calm down,” Eastern Haste urged. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
“Like what?” she exclaimed, pounding a hoof against the table in frustration. “We’re not just going to find five thousand bits lying on the side of the road. We need the money if our team is going to finish our research. And while we scrounge for bits, there’s some ponies with that much money as pocket change asking for four times as much, for not even a quarter of the knowledge which stands to be gained.”
“Like I said, I’m sure you’ll figure something. You’ve never let them stop you before.”
“I know, but this isn’t the same.”
“Just think about it, and I’m sure you’ll figure something out,” he repeated. “Now don’t be working too late tonight; your sister and her husband are coming over, and your mother expects you to be there to greet them.”
“Alright, Dad,” Starbright sung patronizingly.
“I apologize for my daughter’s behavior,” Eastern Haste said to Oak as they departed. “She’s just been accepted onto a research team, and she’s a little focused on her next big project at the moment.”
“What’s she working on?” Oak questioned.
“Something I won’t even pretend to understand. She majored in agricultural sciences, but outside of that, I have no idea. The one time I asked her about it, I lost her after a few seconds into the explination,” he chuckled with a reminiscent smile. “Anyway, let’s get you back to the tower, I’ve kept you here long enough.”
~~~~~~~~~
“Unless it is a foreign dignitary, or a member of the royalty, do not offer help unless it is requested,” Oak recited, answering Eastern Haste’s question. To make sure some of the information he had provided had stuck, Eastern Haste quizzed Oak on what they had covered. correcting him where he went wrong.
“Correct, and can you give me the names of some of members of royalty?” the lieutenant asked, shutting the tower doors behind them.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Prince Blueblood, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess Mi Amo.., Amore Cadenza,” Oak continued, stumbling over her name, “Prince Shining Armour–”
“That’s Captain Shining Armour,” his teacher corrected.
“But I thought–” Oak began.
“The captain chose to maintain his position as Captain of the Solar Unicorn Guard instead of adopting the mantle of royalty. For the time being he divides his time between his home in the Crystal Empire, and here in Canterlot. I expect that the position may be taken from him eventually, however. If you meet him, treat him as a captain, not a prince.”
“But couldn’t he control the entire Royal Guard because he is a prince?”
The lieutenant shook his head firmly. “He is a guard first, royalty second. Besides which, absolute control of the guard does not rest with them. Remember the vows I spoke of earlier?”
“Yes,” Oak responded.
“Well, our oath to the Royalty of Equestria comes after the oath to its inhabitants. The princesses may command the guard, but ultimate control rests with parliament. The measure was put in place many years ago, after the rise of Nightmare Moon: an event which almost threw Equestria into a civil war. Those days were some of the bloodiest moments in the history of the guard as both the Lunar and the Solar guard were sworn to protect their charges, fighting bitterly against one another. The conflict was finally ended when Nightmare Moon was sealed on the moon. With their princess gone and general dead, the Lunar Guard surrendered.”
“What happened to them?”
“Nothing. Back then, they answered directly to the princesses, and treason was punishable by death. They had been doing their duty, however vile Nightmare moon’s intentions may have been, and nothing would change it. Sadly, many ponies didn’t agree with Celestia’s decision, and took it upon themselves to punish those who they believed had followed Luna’s descent. Do you know what a moori is?”
“I heard it somewhere before,” Oak confessed, searching his mind, “but I can’t place my hoof on it.”
“Think about Commander Cherry Blossom.”
“Okay,” he said, picturing the mare’s membrane wings, slitted yellow eyes and ear tufts.
“While in actuality she is a moori, an enchantment placed upon her lends her the appearance of moori. There is only actually one full blooded moori on the guard at the moment. Anyway, moori are a subspecies of pegasi, gifted with amazing hearing and astonishingly sharp vision in low light conditions. With their gifts, it’s little wonder why so many of the Lunar Guard during that time were moori. Anyway, violence against moori in months following Nightmare Moon’s banishment grew, cumilating to what we now know as the Bleeding Moon Massacre.
“On the night of a lunar eclipse, a town of moori hosted a celebration, rejoicing in the beauty of the night. Ponies from far and wide travelled to join in the celebration, swelling the town’s numbers. Of course, many of these ponies were moori. Halfway through the night, a group of ponies descended on the town, butchering and burning anything or anyone who partook in what they say was a celebration of Nightmare Moon. Thousands of bodies were found the following day.”
“My god,” breathed Oak in horror.
Eastern Haste nodded solemnly. “When Celestia became aware of the events, she stormed into the general’s office and demanded he track down those responsible. The general at the time had calmly answered he had been aware of the attacks days before it had happened, but refused to help the followers of Nightmare Moon. In her anger, she convicted him and carried out his punishment on the spot, before rushing to the town, to try and right what had been wronged. She was too late. The moori who had escaped, had already fled Equestria, and the few survivors followed, despite her assurances she would safeguard them. When she returned to Canterlot, and the castle which was still under construction, she passed legislation placing the guard under the control of the newly formed parliament, and made a few more changes. The first of these was by the request of the lunar pegasi, asking for an enchantment be crafted to make them appear as moori in memory of the fallen. The second–”
“The second change she made was to the position and armour of the general,” General Candlelight interrupted, approaching the two. flanked by Featherlight and a burly pegasus guard. “Instead of two generals, there became only one, placed in charge of both the Lunar and Solar Guard. The body of the general’s armour was crafted from silver to represent the balance that had to be struck between the gleaming shine of the sun and the silvery glow of the moon. The plume was dyed red to remind the wearer as to the price of failure. That is quite enough history for the moment Lieutenant Haste,” he commanded in a dour tone. “You are dismissed.”
“Sir,” Eastern Haste choked out, snapping a quick salute.
“I apologize for that,” Candelight said, watching with scorn as Eastern Haste trotted away. “The lieutenant makes a habit of carrying on. But then again, his ability to regurgitate details is why we recruited him. Now, the doctor who gave you the medicine, is he still here in Canterlot?”
Oak bobbed his head. “Yeah. He’s visiting his daughter for a few weeks.”
“Oh? And where is he staying?”
“A bar called The Cracked Mug. Why do you ask?”
“There are a few questions I would like to ask him. Doctor Cobbler was unable to identify a few of the components of your medicine. Do you know where it is?” he pressed.
Oak struggled not to wilt under the demanding glare. “No, not really.”
“Do either of you?” the general asked, turning to Featherlight and the other guard. Featherlight shook her head, but the other pegasus nodded.
“I do, sir.”
“Excellent,” Candlelight said, satisfied with the answer. “Please lead the way.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Cracked Mug was a moderately sized building located in the Western side of Canterlot. Unlike many of the buildings around it, the bar was made almost entirely from wood and dark granite, a stark contrast from the polished stone of the adjacent buildings. The door was sunken down a few steps, which gave the establishment a very cozy appearance. The sign out front depicted a sturdy glass mug with a chip missing from the rim, and a winding fracture trailing down the side.
“This is the place sir,” the guard said.
“Thank you, Corporal Days,” Candlelight commented, before entering.
Though the conversations of the patrons continued, they took on a hushed tone as they saw the latest guests. It was as though someone had placed a towel over a speaker, muffling noise and sound.
“Lovely bunch,” Candlelight muttered.
A pale pink unicorn stood behind the bar, taking a few bottles and placing them down and out of sight. Her yellow mane was tied back in a tight bun, a few strands managing to escape during the time she worked. “Can I help you?” she asked.
“Yes, would there be a Doctor Remedy staying here?”
“Yeah, one moment,” the mare said, taking a few steps to the kitchen door. “Dad!” she hollered. “Some ponies are here to see you.”
It took a few moments for Oak to realize, but this mare was Lilium, Remedy’s daughter. Like her father, she was just as sturdily built, though not quite as stocky and a touch taller. He glanced over to the door she had yelled through just as Remedy emerged. He wore a white apron stained with a few blotches of red, a hair net containing his black mane.
“Oh, hello there, Oak Leaf,” Remedy greeted. “Is everything alright?
“Excuse me,” General Candelight cut in, rudely dismissing the greeting, “are you Doctor Remedy?”
“I am.”
“Are you also the doctor who prescribed and provided medication to Oak Leaf?”
“Yes...” Remedy said, unsure where the general was headed.
General Candlelight lunged forward, grabbing Remedy in a headlock to slip a magic inhibitor over his horn. Dropping him to the ground, Candlelight placed a hoof on the back of Remedy’s neck, pinning him to the ground. “By the laws of Equestria, and under the authority of the Equestrian government, I am placing you under arrest for the possession and distribution of illegal substances.”