James watched, arms folded, as his new brigades and divisions marched through the pass so recently cleared. Thousands upon thousands were going through, to fight the war and hopefully to finish it in short order.
Forty thousand, he thought to himself. Forty thousand, all mine to command. The whole war would be over shortly. One final push, sweeping aside the remains of the enemy army, and it would all be over and he could go home. It had been a long and cold winter, with hardship, bloodshed, and death as the only reward.
A small part of his brain woke up, telling him not to count the whole thing as being over. He tried to brush it aside, and was only partially successful. It was a nagging feeling, but he could see no way the advance of the legions below could be halted by arms borne by mortal beings.
He finally tore his eyes away from the spectacle and turned around. The wrecked Griffon camp was only a few dozen meters away, with burned tents and smothered fireplaces forming a most wretched scene. Of the enemy warriors who had previously occupied this hill, only 130 had left it alive, out of 250, and that was counting prisoners. The rest had died from battle wounds or, more horribly still, from the fires that had consumed the camp during the fighting. Knocked-over braziers testified to the cause of the blazes. The flames had been extinguished, although smoke occasionally rose from a few places. It wasn't the most glorious conquest, but it had been a necessary one.
He heard something, coming from one of the tents that had been trampled in the fighting. He walked over to it, and the noise became clearer; a sad, pitiful meow came from the destroyed dwelling. That was enough to make him pick up the pace; he was an avid cat lover, and he couldn't bear to hear one in distress.
James began to pick up pieces of the tent, slowly uncovering the contents within; some stale bread, a blanket, a knurlap sack... and then, pushing the sack over, he uncovered a small, gray and dark gray-striped kitten, a frightened look in it's eye. His heart melted. Being careful not to startle it, he picked it up and raised it in front of his face.
"Meow."
"Don't you worry, little fella; you're safe." James put the kitten to his shoulder, his left hand holding it there.
It meowed again, but less worried this time and more content. As he began walking down the hill, the kitten began to relax; presently, he heard it purring. The sound was music to his ears.
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Back in his cabin, James found a carton of milk. He poured it out in a dish, and offered it to the kitten, who meowed and began to drink as though it were dying of thirst.
It turned out that the kitten was female. She would bear a litter of her own in due time. For now, though, she just seemed hungry and thirsty. He could understand that.
Satisfied that the kitten would be distracted for a while, he went back to his maps. In a few days, he would be moving out as well as the troops he had been watching; after all, he couldn't command from several dozen miles away. Re-reading one of the letters he had received, he noted with mixed feelings that Shining Armor would be joining him presently. Between the two princes, the human would be commanding the left-most corps. Blueblood would have command of the center, Shining the right. With all three generals having equal ranks, it was hard to have the army divided in any other way without conflict between them. And frankly, he didn't see how they could lose now, with an overwhelming advantage in firepower and numbers. Although the feeling that something would go wrong again flitted around his head, he soothed it by reminding himself that the artillery at their disposal would number something like 90 individual pieces, with a battery or two of new breech-loaders, not to mention the musket-armed regiments in the force, which numbered something like 8 or 9, out of fifty and more.
Something curled in his chest when he read again about the part Prince Blueblood was to share in the operations henceforth. Even with victory certain, incompetence could cost more lives than were necessary, and if he knew anything about the upper classes (especially the nobility), he was certain that incompetence in anything save court intrigue was likely.
James forced the disgust back down; it served no useful purpose. He would deal with the situation when it came. In any case, he had things to do.
He heard the kitten's purring grow louder. He looked over at the dish and saw that the kitten had finished her drink and was washing herself. He again felt soft-hearted.
A loud knock at the door shoved him back into the present reality. "Yes?" he called.
The door opened. A familiar white unicorn stallion, wearing a red coat, walked in.
James stood up dramatically. "Ah, the Knight in Shining Armor hath returned from his perilous journey," he said, trying to sound as medieval as possible.
From the amused look on Shining Armor's face, he'd failed - or maybe he just found it funny, the way he'd intended. "And good morning to you, too."
"How was the trip from there to here?"
"It was okay, but I've been on faster trains."
"Hmm." James sat back down, taking another glance at the maps. With the recent breakthough, the Griffon forces had withdrawn from their positions and had gathered themselves in one compact mass. There was an air of desperation in the move, an effort to unite themselves in a futile attempt to weather the storm ahead.
"Anyway, lets get down to - gah!" Shining jerked his head back, and for good reason; the kitten had unexpectedly rubbed it's head against his. After a couple seconds, he relaxed and smiled. "Got a pet, huh?"
"I... guess so," James answered. "I found her in the Griffon camp that we cleared from the pass. She was starving to death, and I just couldn't turn her away. Plus, I just love cats in general."
The kitten walked across the table and licked James on the left cheek. He didn't mind; the tongue of a cat was rough, yes, but the gesture was one of like (if not love), so it was bearable. He stroked it behind the ears, then tickled it's chin; the cat purred like a finely-tuned engine all the way through this.
"Getting back to business," he said, putting the kitten on his lap - where it curled up and closed it's eyes - he went on, "The Griffon boys have grouped their four thousand or so troops in a single force, in a vain effort to defeat our liberating arms. Their commander is a Colonel named Eagleclaw, known to be aggressive in his strategies in previous conflicts against other Griffon clans."
"Sounds like we'll have quite the trouble fighting him."
"Yes, but aggression is not suitable for a situation that calls for defense; his game will be thrown off by that. At least, that's what I'm hoping for. And we have the numbers to outflank and crush them any which way we please, so I am predicting a victory when we end up facing him."
"You sound confident."
"I am; they have no further substantial reinforcements coming by the time this campaign gets underway. Even if they conscripted as many farm boys and peasants as they could, they'd have no time to train them properly. I expect a win."
"All that might be true, Shining said, hoof to his chin, "but if you've taught me anything, it's to be careful."
James could find nothing to say in counter to this. It was true; a good commander needed decisiveness as well as a good sense of caution. Too much of one and not enough of the other was a recipe for eventual defeat. In an effort to find something of importance to discuss, he asked, "What of the Changeling forces?"
His friend's smile disappeared, replaced by a look of utter frustration. "We couldn't catch them after the battle to take their fortress! They've been avoiding us ever since then, and we couldn't catch them."
Fabian strategy, deployed by the bad guys? Oh dear. It wasn't as if that hadn't already crossed his mind, but it was recurrent in the situation against the Changelings; he had gotten numerous reports after Princess Luna's arrival, telling more or less of a great chase, but no pitched battle. It was hard to fight an enemy who refused to fight. The only thing that kept him from despairing was the knowledge that the Changelings were probably starving, with no major source of love to draw from. The longer the chase lasted, the sooner they'd wear themselves out in that regard. "We'll get them in the end," he said at last. "They can't run forever, and they have nothing to draw power from on the run."
Shining nodded, but there was little joy in the motion. "That's all I could really tell myself out there."
"Then let's finish this fight, so we can bring everyone back to beat the Changelings once and for all."
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A day or two later, James was back in a tent north of the base; after all, he had to keep up with his corps. The kitten - he'd named her Kiki - had come with him; even with the food had given her in the fort, she needed to eat more before she was completely ready to face the rest of the world.
He was feeding her again - on a diet suggested by Bright Star - when loud trumpets sounded from the southwest. He had a feeling he knew who that was, and a sense of despair tried to overwhelm him; he forced it back down, and made his face as blank as possible.
A fancy carriage, pulled by Royal Guards, entered the encampment. It eventually came to a stop in the center of camp, with trumpets still sounding. Sighing, James stopped procrastinating and made his way over.
The trumpeters stopped, and the door opened. Dressed in the fanciest uniform possible, with a bejeweled sword hanging from his hip, Prince Blueblood stepped out, an unembarrassed and arrogant smile on his face.
This won't end well. James stepped forward. "I welcome you to the military, Prince Blueblood," he said, trying to be polite (it was hard), "I hope our relationship here will be a harmonious one."
Blueblood turned to him, smile gone. "Is that how you speak to royalty, peasant?"
It's how I talk to everyone,, the human thought to himself, and I'm not changing it just for your sake. Aloud, he said, "How I speak doesn't matter to the Princesses." So there.
The Prince huffed. "It seems I have been partnered with a barbarian; I suppose I may be able to make this work regardless."
WHAT did you just call me, SIR? With a massive effort, he was able to keep from strangling Blueblood. Fortunately, he saw Shining Armor approaching, and straightened up. "I assume you've met General Armor," he said, making an effort to be friendly.
It was shot down at once; "Hmm, yes, a member of the lower class who somehow managed to worm his way into the nobility; I've met him."
That was a low blow, James thought, and it was; Shining Armor had halted, and was now red in the face. It looked as if this wasn't the first time he'd had to endure that kind of talk, either. And when did class have anything to do with love? As far as I could tell, Shining Armor and Cadence just fell in love; there was no trouble raised by what class either of them were in at the time. As in old Europe, though, it appeared that the blood one's veins bore had an impact on how one was viewed. It was honestly stupid, especially where love was concerned.
"Now, where am I to be living during my stay here?" the Prince asked.
"Right this way, your Highness." Right this way, your bratiness.
They ended up in front of a normal tent. As James had expected, this didn't go over well with the Prince.
"Is this a joke?"
"No, this is how everyone lives while in the military; in a tent," James said, starting to feel heated.
"But I am not 'everyone', now am I?"
That's it; I'm outta here. James made to turn his back and walk away.
"Is there a problem, everypony?"
That was a voice he was willing to respect. "Princess Luna, good to see you."
The Princess didn't look all that happy, but she was at the very least civilized. "I heard the carriage coming into camp, and I came to greet Prince Blueblood."
Prince Jackal is more like it. "Yes, and I brought him to his tent."
"This isn't my tent! It's a horrible example of peasant engineering - er, I mean, it's not what I expected," Prince blueblood said, not quite quick enough on the uptake.
"You may furnish your tent with what you have to work with," Luna said, sounding like she had gone through this kind of situation before. "I haven't heard any other pony complain about their humble abodes."
She turned her head in James' direction.
The real reason she's here is to keep us from tearing each other apart. He held her gaze until she looked at Shining Armor, who quickly lost the red that had been all too apparent on his face and straightened up. She won't be here long; after that, God and luck will determine whether we are able to keep ourselves from one another's throats. I'd better make the most of her short-lived visit here.
Satisfied that the three males would not cause any further trouble, Princess Luna at last nodded. "Prince Blueblood, you may set up your own private tent at your convenience."
"Thank you, Lady of the Night, your presence here had been inspirational as ever," the spoiled prince replied, bowing. "Servants, bring up my tent from the royal carriage." Three ponies who had followed him bowed their heads, then scrambled to obey. Three minutes later, they returned, with a large purple bag or canvas with them.
On one side was some sort of rope; one of the Prince's servants pulled on it. There was a whoosh as a massive, imperial tent sprang up almost at once; there were windows on a second "floor", and the tower was interlaced with patterns of purple, gold, and blue.
James felt his jaw dropped, and he and Shining Armor looked at each other, both wearing identical expressions.
Did Blueblood just one-up me? he asked himself, turning to look again at the new "tent". That question needed no answer.
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"May I come in?" came a voice with a British accent.
"Hmm? Oh, come in," James called from his hammock. He had been lying in it, with an arm leaning over the edge to pet Kiki.
Blue Fur slid into the tent, taking care not to trip over the canvas door. "Well met, friend."
James sat up and stretched. "You usually have something to say when you come directly to my tent, or cabin, as was the case."
The blue-gray earth pony pretended to look offended. "Who, me? Perish the thought, sir," he said, winking as he finished.
The human chuckled, and Blue Fur went on, "I noticed your firearm hasn't left it's holster since I came back. Am I to assume you do not have a way to fire it?"
"Yes, that assumption would be correct. I've used all but one bullet for it."
"Hmmm." Blue Fur put a hoof to his chin. "If I am able to study it, and it's ammunition, I might be able to make more of it for you."
"Well..." James thought about it. On the one hand, it was an antique, or a replica of an original weapon from the Civil War. He had had to pay quite a price for it, and it had saved his life and the lives of others over the course of the war. Of course, with only one bullet left, it was nearly useless, and without further ammunition, it would remain so. "...Alright, but you have to promise to return it."
"Oh I will sir; my mother did not raise a thief. Unfortunately I will have to take apart the 'bullet', as you call it, to understand it's inner workings and to find the right chemical balance."
Sighing, James replied, "I give you permission to do that. I hope for results soon."
"You'll have them, sir." Blue Fur walked over to the door, then turned his head to face James. "After this bloody business is all over, I hope you and I can get a cold cider at the local saloon."
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Kiki provided no problems to the extent of Prince Blueblood in the next few days. She often took food from friendly ponies, and drank milk in James' tent. She was very scared of fire, which was understandable considering that she had been found in the aftermath of one. That meant, unfortunately, that he couldn't take her to campfires with his friends.
"This one time," Silver Lining was saying, "I was on the sea, tryin' like anythin' ta keep my old ship afloat. If'n it weren't for a few rocks an' tha fool runnin' that lighthouse, I mighta saved 'er."
"Bad luck." Silver Shield spat into the fire. "What happened then?"
"I had ta find another job, tha's what. Weather control was the on'y one open, so I took it. Wasn' the most excitin' job, but it got me a few bits ta save up, and put food on tha table."
"Interestin'," White Knight said. "You evah get a marefriend?"
"Once," the silver Pegasus replied. "We didn't really get along, though, an' we broke up."
James heard a "Mrrow," and turned to his left and looked down. Kiki was rubbing her head at the bottom of the rock he was sitting on, clearly afraid of the fire but very attached to her new companion.
"That cat's been all over the place," Bright said, "meowing whenever she wants us to give her food, rubbing against our legs, very friendly."
James stroked Kiki with his left hand as he replied, "I found her in the Griffon camp, in a burned-out tent. Frankly I'm surprised she's even come this close to a fire." Kiki began to purr as his hand scratched her between her ears.
"The troops have taken a liking to her," Shield said. "She's become practically a mascot to them."
"A mascot..." James said quietly, more to himself that anyone else. He looked once more at the kitten, who was purring like mad. In her features a certain sense of delicacy could be found; so too could a durability and will that he found inspiring. Like the beautiful county he was trying to save, she was pretty and, in her own way, fragile, but she could put the hurt on anyone foolish enough to mess with her. "Yeah, I guess she could be."
"That mangy, half dead thing, a mascot? Are you out of your mind?" came a familiar and disliked voice. Looking up, he saw Prince Blueblood, with a few bodyguards, walking past their campfire. The Prince continued, "It would be best to put this cat down and end it's misery."
"The only one causing misery here is you," James shot back. "If all you can think of is putting others down to lift yourself up, then you aren't as mature or princely as you would have others believe."
And Blueblood understood that, if nothing else. "And who are you," he began, "to question, nay, to insult a stallion of true royal blood? A peasant monkey will never understand..."
James stood up. "If you call me a monkey or any other kind of ape ever again, I will make you regret it very quickly."
He heard gasps from his friends, and Kiki stopped purring.
"How dare you!" the Prince shouted. "You should be thrown in a dungeon, never to see the light of day again!"
"And yet here I stand, in a shared command. Remember that, in the days ahead. Your bluster will not deter me as it will others; I live in a country ungoverned by nobility and royalty, and seeing the result of those before me, I'm thankful for that."
There was a long silence. James gritted his teeth and stared into Blueblood's hate-filled eyes. neither of them spoke; they just stared, each waiting for the other to break contact.
Finally, Blueblood snarled and continued on his way; his guards hissed at James as they passed. The human sat back down, more than a little relieved that this encounter hadn't escalated any farther than it had.
"Not the best move, making an enemy of Prince Blueblood like that."
James turned around. "Star Blaze!"
The thestral nodded. "May I join you?"
"Of course."
"Who's this?" Shield asked as Star Blaze sat down.
"This is Star Blaze. He's from the Lunar detachment that secured the pass from the Griffons a few days ago," James responded, "which was influential in getting us here with relatively few casualties; if we hadn't hit them when we did, we would have had to make a much costlier attack."
"Hi," Star said in a friendly voice, "nice to meet you all."
The others calmed down after that, though Shield still looked at Star Blaze... if not in a hostile manner, then with a face saying that he was a rival of the Lunar Guardspony in every way.
After the initial greetings were over, Star asked, "Do you mind if I pet her?"
James was a little surprised to see that Kiki hadn't run off. "Oh, yeah, sure."
Star bent down, picked up Kiki, and held her in his forelegs, scratching her with his right hoof. "I can't feel her when I scratch her," he said, "but I think she's okay with it." Indeed, the kitten was purring away. "And even if she did try to scratch my hoof back, I wouldn't feel it, so that's a plus."
After a moment, James asked, "Why did you say I made a bad move by challenging Prince Blueblood?"
Star Blaze stopped what he was doing, and looked James in the face, though with seriousness, not hatred. Shield's face had a look on it that said, Are you kidding me? "Blueblood has political power, even if he's... unsympathetic toward others," Star said after a few moments. "I've been on duty at night, and once, I saw a pony run out of his room, crying his eyes out; the day before, he really tore into Blueblood in one of his speeches. The next night, I heard that he had lost his job."
"What happened?"
"Nopony knows. But everypony who knew about it pinned the blame for the job loss on Blueblood."
"That's..."
"I know."
"That's not the half of it," Shield broke in. "Nopony has ever been able to prove it, but it is almost completely accepted that he bribes and blackmails in order to gain and maintain his position. Again, we've never been able to prove it, and Princess Celestia never ordered an investigation - understandable, considering he's her nephew - but I'd bet every bit I own that the rumors are true."
"Deserves to go to jail, conduct like that."
"You got that right. Although as a Royal Guard, I'm supposed to be utterly loyal to the dynasty of the Princesses, so I feel a little... insecure saying all that."
"I understand." James yawned, stretching. "In any event, I suggest we all get some sleep; we're going to begin advancing tomorrow. If all goes well, the war will be over soon."
"It's been too long," Shield said strongly.
"Agreed."
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"I see no reason to press the issue," Blueblood said, in a disdainful voice.
It was the day after the argument between James and the Prince, and Shining Armor could see no way to reconcile them. They were currently going over plans for the campaign, with a map and assorted unit icons indicating positions of friend and foe.
James looked exasperated as Blueblood continued, "Let them crash against our armies at will; we'll break them easily that way."
"That would be a good idea," James answered, "if the enemy had any intentions of doing so. So far, they have seen fit to do no such thing. And, considering that they're outnumbered so badly, I don't blame them; four thousand of them against forty thousand of us? It would be suicidal for them to attack. And," he went on, clearly pressing for every advantage he could get in this debate, "their commanders have more overall experience; they've fought amongst themselves as well as against their neighbors. If we push now we can destroy their army and end the war. All sitting here does is give them time to rebuild."
"But I just had everything of mine unpacked! How can you ask me to just put it all back in the carriage and move at such short notice?"
James' face had the word Idiot! all over it. "This isn't a camping trip; this is the army. We move. We fight. We skirmish. We get dirty. If that's too much for you, go home." With that, James went back to displaying his plan. "We'll march in the direction of their encampment here, and either they'll fight or, more likely, they'll retreat." He moved several blocks around. "Then, with their troops defeated or out of the way, we'll take the majority of our forces and forge through their lands until we take Gryphos. With their king captured and their capital taken, they'll have no choice but to surrender."
Shining had to admit, it looked like a good plan. But something just didn't feel right. "I think we should be careful," he said at last. "They might have a few surprises left."
"See? My.... fellow prince agrees, we should take our time."
"That's not what I said!"
The three generals began to argue loudly, each with his own opinion on how things should be done, until the tent door opened and a rather annoyed Princess Luna walked in. All three of them fell silent. James looked up at the ceiling, trying to look innocent, while Shining bowed and Blueblood just sat there, nodding to the Princess.
James finally coughed. "Yes, er, as I was saying, the best course of action to take is an immediate offensive. Already most tents and equipment have been packed, and the quartermaster corps have told me that supplies are well-stocked."
"I agree with James' plan, but I feel that I must urge caution," Shining Armor put in. "We don't know if they've really played their last card or not."
"Well, I say we'll do well enough right here," Blueblood injected, with a very hostile glance at James a second later.
Luna looked at all three of them; the look on her face was one that said, If you continue to argue, there will be trouble. "I give my approval of the plan. The army shall march." James and Shining dipped their heads in thanks, while Blueblood huffed and looked away. "Furthermore, duties in Canterlot have called me back there. I will be departing tonight. I expect there to be no more trouble between the three of you, or my sister and I will want to know why." With that, she left, leaving all three generals somewhat worried as James and Shining looked at one another; both of them knew that trying to cooperate with Blueblood would be almost impossible.
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The army did not move very far that day, clearing ten miles northward without incident. The lack of enemy resistance both relieved and worried James; he wanted to find them either force their surrender or overwhelm them in a battle. A chase was unsavory to him.
Nonetheless, Equestrian morale was high and food was plentiful. Ponies from liberated villages gladly shared food with the soldiers and cheered them as they passed by. They even cheered the human commander, though few of them knew who or even what he was; anyone who was not a griffon was praiseworthy in their eyes at the moment.
James stood on a knoll, watching his corps set up their encampment for the night, as the moon rose and the sun sank over the horizon.
Movement from the air caught his eye, and he looked up to see Princess Luna's chariot, two thestrals pulling it in in full armor. He saw her look in his direction, her eyes filled with a look that was both farewell and warning.
I know, I know, Princess; get along with Blueblood. I'm gonna try, but...
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The second day began rather inconspicuously, with nothing out of the ordinary at first. James marched at the head of the column, leading his corps. The march was killing his feet (for a few minutes he envied pony hooves, which couldn't feel and thus couldn't get tired), but the sun was shining without a cloud in sight.
As III corps came to a field, a large, round rock crashed down in front of them, bouncing to the side and narrowly missing the first rank of ponies.
"Form line!" he bellowed.
His leading regiments began to switch from column to line, bringing their crossbows (and quite a few reverse-engineered matchlocks) to bear. James raised his binoculars, despite the fact that he was exposed, and looked ahead. Another rock flew from a cornfield up ahead, overshooting his troops this time; if it had hit thirty seconds earlier... he didn't want to think about it.
"Sir, should we unlimber our artillery?" asked a pegasus from the Guard.
"Yes, and quickly!"
The pegasus flew off to deliver the orders. In the meantime, they would have to endure. It seemed like forever, and the catapult, ballista or whatever it was chucked more rocks at them; each time it did, he would follow it with his eyes, only to see it miss his soldiers, twice by just inches. He uttered a silent prayer to the Lord.
At last, a deafening roar sounded behind him; more followed it, and explosions dotted the cornfield, throwing stalks into the air, occasionally with body parts following them. He saw a body fly into the air, then, twisting, it fell to the ground.
That body... it bore little resemblance to a griffon. He took out his binoculars again and took a sharp look at the cornfield, looking for any... there. A another body was tossed into the air. His instincts had been correct; it wasn't a griffon. Instead of wings and feathers, two legs and two strong arms were noticeable, with a dog's head fitted on it's torso and a collar of sorts on it's neck.
He lowered the binoculars. "Diamond dogs," he said.
"Sir?" a private nearby asked.
James turned his head. "Those ain't griffons, boys, they're diamond dogs!"
He heard a chorus of angry shouts; clearly diamond dogs weren't held in high regard. He could understand; if they kidnapped ponies to do their dirty work - effectively enslaving them - then it was unlikely that the Equestrians would appreciate them on their land.
Finally, after five minutes, he held up his hand; the artillery gradually ceased fire.
He waited another few minutes; no more rocks came them. He gave silent thanks for that.
"Advance!"
The two regiments, the 2nd Fillydelphian and the 5th Manehattan, began marching forward, keeping their eyes peeled. Their ears moved in various directions, trying to pick up any anomalous sounds.
As they approached the cornfield, James saw the stalks move. He brought his matchlock to his shoulder.
He was just in time; there was a roar, animalistic this time, and a massive, blue minotaur ran out of the corn, battleaxe raised. James quickly aimed and fired; the minotaur slowed momentarily as the bullet tore through his left arm.
He never made it to the Equestrian line; crossbow bolts and further matchlock fire brought him down well forward of the line.
Diamond dogs began to stream from the cornfield; they howled and yowled, their eyes bloodshot and ancient spears in their paws as they charged.
More crossbows went off; dogs fell left and right. Scores more trampled their fallen comrades.
"Fire at will!" James shouted. He had managed to reload, and took aim at a dog clutching a battleaxe; he fired, the matchlock bucked against his shoulder, and the dog fell with a terrible howl.
More quickly took the place of those who had fallen, but the Equestrian fire took a dreadful toll on them; most were either shot down before they could reach their targets or fled in panic, throwing down their weapons as they did so. From what he could tell, they hadn't expected such a devastating response from their foes.
One of the few who didn't run charge at James before he could reload; he drew his sword and slashed at the spear the dog was clutching it it's right paw; the spearhead came off, and James took the opportunity to punch the dog in the side of the head with his left hand, knocking it down.
"Okay, no more, I give up!" the dog said in a creaking, squeaky voice. He - the dog had a masculine voice, as far as he could tell - pushed himself up as Equestrian soldiers took him into custody.
James looked around. No more diamond dogs faced them; they hadn't had more than a few hundred armed individuals, considering the short nature of the skirmish.
"Take their wounded prisoner, and get some answers out of them. I want to know why they're fighting us, and who their leader is." Giving the orders allowed him to calm down. Ponies went forth to follow the order.
I wonder what we'll find out...
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James finished his tent and looked at the horizon; so far, other than the fight with the diamond dogs and their minotaur commander, there had been no substantial resistance, and they were twenty more miles down the road. So far, no one had come to see him with answers from the prisoners, but it was only a matter of time; the dogs had hardly been brave, and it seemed likely that they would give information very quickly.
He waited. And waited. And waited....
And finally, a brown pegasus flew into his tent, looking tired, but urgent. "General, we got our answers from the diamond dogs.
"Yes," James said, impatiently, "and?..."
"From what we could tell, sir, they were under contract from the Griffons; the birds hired them to fight in exchange for gems and precious metals, all to be given to them once the war was won."
The human sighed. It wasn't as if that hadn't been in his thoughts; there was no other real reason for them to take up arms against the Equestrian army.
"It gets worse, sir. There are a lot more diamond dogs than just this batch who were hired. The prisoners say that they are only a few out of thousands, perhaps tens of thousands. And," the pegasus added, looking glum, "Diamond dogs aren't their only source of mercenaries; a lot of Minotaurs, eager for glory and money, have been brought under contract as well."
"Damn it!" James exclaimed, startling the soldier. He hadn't counted on mercenaries whatsoever. And if what the captured diamond dogs said was true, then the enemy had numbers to match his own, if not exceed his. He had shot a minotaur; they clearly didn't go down easily. "Sorry," he said to the soldier, "nice work. Get some rest. You'll need it." As the Pegasus left, he thought to himself, We're all gonna need it...