When I rejoined the others, the band had started up a new song. Twilight and friends were bobbing their heads along to what I could swear was ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’. This time, the fiddler pony was joined by a stallion in his own Western attire, who I supposed was a vocalist. Indeed he was, for he provided the lyrical narration, backed up in the sung parts by his fellow band members. I arrived in time to hear the first sung section, and soon realized that the Devil in this version was Discord.
Johnny, you rosin up your bow
And play your fiddle hard
There’s chaos loose in Ponyville
And Discord deals the cards
And if you win, you get this shiny
Fiddle made of gold
But if you lose,
Discord’ll be your troll!
Other than that, the song played out very much the way I knew it back in the human world, and that fiddling pony played beautifully. She obviously had a passion for music that was shared with ponies like Lyra and Octavia.
The song ended with its spectacular finish, and the crowd applauded wildly.
“Those guys are great!” I said to Applejack, who was nearest. “Do you know that fiddler, AJ?”
“Her name’s Fiddlesticks,” said Applejack. “She’s a friend of the family, and a favorite at hoedowns and jamborees.”
“I can see why,” I said, watching as Fiddlesticks bowed for the adoring crowd.
“Dave!” I heard Twilight call, and I turned to see her approaching. “Princess Luna told me you have a meeting with the Round Table delegates tomorrow! How exciting!”
“Er, yeah,” I said, “I was meaning to tell you all earlier, so it wouldn’t be such a surprise-”
“Hey, don’t sweat it,” said Rainbow Dash. “You’ve got a royal duty to do.”
Pinkie gave a great “Pffft!” of laughter.
“What?” asked Rainbow, confused.
“You said ‘doody’!” said Pinkie.
“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” I muttered, as Rainbow too caught the joke and snickered. These two were so immature. “Anyway, she told me she wanted to talk about arranging transportation, since I’m gonna have a hard time getting up early tomorrow.”
“Ah know the feelin’,” said Applejack. “Apple Bloom’s an early riser normally, but after Nightmare Night, it’s like Ah need a crowbar to pry her outta bed.”
“Where is Princess Luna, by the way?” I asked.
“Playing at the pumpkin-pult,” said Twilight.
“The pumpkin-wha?”
I was answered by a loud splattering noise. I looked to see Princess Luna standing by a catapult that had just launched, and its corresponding target was splattered with pumpkin.
“Huzzah!” she cried, victoriously. “Another bullseye!”
She turned away from the catapult and spotted me.
“Ah! Sir Dave. Do forgive me for my abrupt departure,” she said, approaching.
“Of course, Princess,” I said, graciously. “You were about to say what the usual transport was.”
“Ah, yes, I remember. The usual way is by carriage. I can send somepony to your home, and he will then ferry you to Canterlot.”
“Will it still get me there on time?”
“Assuredly.”
“Great! I’ll get my suit ready and everything. Thanks, Princess.”
“But of course, Sir Dave. It would not do for Minister Ironmane to have to chew you out over tardiness, especially not for such a festive occasion as this.”
“Between you and me, Your Highness, something tells me the word ‘festive’ is not in his dictionary.”
“Oh, I quite agree,” chuckled Luna, “although I am not one to talk. Before last year, I had not even known the meaning of the word ‘fun’. Still, Ironmane is a pony with a heart for the safety of Equestria, so I can hardly fault him.”
“Hey, Dave! Hi, Princess Luna!”
I looked down to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Their little candy bags were full to bursting.
“Good evening, children,” said Luna. “I trust you are enjoying yourself?”
“We sure are!” said Scootaloo. “I can’t remember the last time I had so much candy!”
“Didn’t you get any, Dave?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Nah, kids, I’m too old for that kinda thing,” I said.
I heard Pinkie gasp sharply behind me. She grabbed my shoulders and whipped me around to face her, giving me a steely glare.
“Never, ever say that, Davie. Nopony, and no human, is too old for free candy! I mean, it’s candy, and it’s free!”
(How do you argue with logic like that?)
“Really, Pinkie, it’s fine,” I said, gently removing her hooves from my shoulders. “I did have a candy bag with me just in case, though.”
I held it up as visual evidence, and this seemed to mollify Pinkie.
“Well, at least you went prepared.”
“You can have some of my candy, Dave.”
I looked down to see Dinky gazing up at me with those adorable yellow eyes of hers, holding up her overstuffed candy bag.
“Aw, Dinky, I couldn’t possibly,” I said. “It’s your candy.”
“I’m not gonna be able to finish it,” she said.
She smiled sunnily up at me. I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed before, but she had the cutest little dimples when she smiled.
“If you really want to,” I said, bending down.
“I do!” chirped Dinky, and she dumped nearly half of her bag into mine.
“You’re a sweet kid, Dinky,” I said, ruffling her mane, making her giggle. The older mares looked on with warm smiles on their faces.
“A most charitable action, child,” said Luna. “Sister knows I myself have a weakness for sugary confections, though not quite as much as she does.”
This brought snickers from Rainbow Dash and Pinkie, but a scandalized look from Twilight. She looked torn between telling off Luna for poking fun at her mentor and not wishing to scold a princess.
“Has anypony seen Moonlight?” I asked, straightening up again.
“I believe she went to Bon Bon’s to try one of her new Choco-Cauldrons,” said Rarity. “Absolutely decadent, by the way.”
“Yeah, Bon Bon always makes the best treats!” said Rainbow.
“I’d better go see how she’s doing,” I said. “I shouldn’t be too long.”
I headed off for Bon Bon’s, and sure enough, found Moonlight inside. She was seated at a table, her chin resting on the tabletop, bits of chocolate sprinkled about. It took me a few moments to realize she was asleep.
“Oh, poor thing,” I muttered.
“I know,” said Bon Bon. “She came in and ordered a Monstrous Marshmallow, because she was worried she’d miss closing time, but I guess she’s fun-ed herself to the bone tonight, because she fell asleep after finishing.”
“I’d better take her home,” I said. “No sense leaving her inside if you’re gonna lock up.”
“Good idea. Thanks, Dave.”
I scooped Moonlight up into my arms and carried her out the door, heading toward home, as Bon Bon closed the door behind herself.
***
We were just approaching Moonlight’s home when she stirred in my arms.
“Mm? Dave?”
“Hey there, sleepy,” I said, gently.
She yawned. “I must have fallen asleep in Bon Bon’s. I thought I could stay up all night, but I guess I overdid it a little.”
“Did you have fun, at least?”
“I did! It was more fun than I thought it would be. I got to meet so many ponies, and I even saw Princess Luna! I didn’t have the nerve to go up to her, but I still saw her.”
“I had a feeling tonight was gonna be big.”
Moonlight smiled sleepily, and I gently set her on her hooves in front of her door.
“Good night, Dave,” she said, “and thanks for taking me home.”
“You’re welcome, Moonlight. Sleep tight.”
She entered and closed the door behind her, and I made tracks for Ponyville once again.
***
“Dave! There you are!”
I had just come back into the town square, when who should come up, but Trixie?
“Hey, Trixie! How’s it going?”
“Magnificently! Not only have I regained my image, but I was granted an audience with Princess Luna herself!”
“Congrats! Things are really looking up for you.”
“They certainly are! I think my vengeance on Twilight Sparkle was the catalyst to a new dawn for the Great and Powerful Trixie! I feel ready to take on the world again!”
“Take on the world? You mean, leave Ponyville and travel around again?”
“Well, yes,” said Trixie, in a slightly more subdued tone. “I’m a traveling showmare, Dave. I cannot stick to one spot and make a living repeating the same tricks to the same crowd.”
She adopted a philosophical, scholarly air that was quite intriguing to observe.
“The art of showpony business is to expand your repertoire through your travels. As I visit other towns and cities and display the tricks that wowed ponies before them, I may pick up on a new trick, or learn how to expand a trick I have already known but wished to improve. It is a never-ending cycle, Dave.”
“So, someday, you’re gonna leave Ponyville?” I asked, regretfully.
“Do not be sad, Dave,” said Trixie, in a kinder tone. “You shan’t lose me so soon. I said I would lodge in Ponyville once I had won their favor again, and I shall, for a little while.”
“Good. It feels like I’ve only just met you, Trixie, and I’d hate to see you go so soon.”
“Who would want to deprive themselves of Trixie?” she asked, wryly.
“Nopony,” I said, chuckling. “So, what have you been up to?”
“I wrapped up my last show, and now I’m just browsing about. I partook in one of those chocolate cauldrons the candy-mare is selling, and I have deemed them more than agreeable for my great and powerful taste buds.”
“No kidding. Those things are some of the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted.”
“And what have you been up to?”
“Oh, I had to take a friend of mine home. She partied a little too hard. First Nightmare Night and all.”
“What a pity. She must not have known that I was performing tonight. That would have been reason enough to stay awake.”
“Oho, I quite agree,” I chuckled.
“Now, I really mustn’t tarry much longer, Dave. I gave my crowd an intermission while I stretch my legs, and I shouldn’t leave them waiting too long.”
“Of course. Happy Nightmare Night, Trixie.”
“And the same to you, my human friend!”
With a whirl of her cloak, Trixie was off again, and I, for my part, returned to the hubbub and clamor of the festival.
***
It was around midnight by the time I was ready to call it a day. I therefore said my goodbyes and good nights to my friends, as well as Princess Luna, who once again assured me that I would have a carriage ready to take me to Canterlot in the morning, though she didn’t specify when. I felt a little disappointed that I couldn’t party on with the others through the night, but I had a duty to do, and besides, I had a great night!
Feeling both tired and satisfied, I made for home, where I found the bowl I had set out to be emptied clean of all candy. Glad the foals (and quite possibly Pinkie) enjoyed it, I brought it back inside with me, set out my fancy Canterlot clothes for tomorrow, changed into my pajamas, and collapsed onto my bed, falling asleep almost instantly.
***
I awoke with a ‘Blech’ and a sore head the next morning, about 9:00. Then, upon spying my fancy clothes sitting out and waiting, I realized what I was supposed to be doing, and leaped out of bed with a jolt that sent another surge of pain through my head. Quick as I could, I washed off, grabbed breakfast, and got suited up, though I was feeling hot and rushed this time around, which made dressing up uncomfortable. Still, at least the weather was getting cooler, being in autumn and all.
I had just put my hat on when there came a rap at my door. I went over and opened it, revealing a large white stallion in the golden armor of the royal guards.
“You are Sir Dave?” he asked.
“Er, yes,” I said, “though I haven’t really been knighted.”
I affected a weak chuckle, but this didn’t change the guard’s expression.
“I am to ferry you to Canterlot, per Princess Luna’s request, and to bring you back once your duties have been completed.”
“Ah, great. Thanks. Let me just lock up and I’ll be right with you.”
The guard left the doorway, allowing me to lock the front door. An ornate open carriage was sitting in the dirt road, and the guard was just re-harnessing himself to it. I climbed aboard, with the strange but inexplicable foreboding that I was entering the car to some high-speed rollercoaster.
“So, how much quicker will we get to Canterlot by this method?”
“Considerably so. Have you not traveled by air before?”
“Oh, a couple times, but-”
Wait.
What did he say?
“Wait a minute, did you say, ‘by air’?”
“Certainly, sir.”
It was only then that I noticed the wings at his sides. He was a pegasus.
We were going to fly there??
The guard had already spread his wings and was taking a running start.
“Er, hang on a minute! I kinda have this problem with he-EEEIIIIIGHTS!”
Too late; he had already swept into the air, bringing the carriage (and me) with him. Hurriedly stowing my hat and cane under my feet, I gripped the sides of the carriage, holding on for dear life as I felt an unpleasant plummeting feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t help myself: I looked down and saw Ponyville disappearing below me, though it only increased the unpleasant feeling within me. I really did have a problem with heights, usually from looking up at something way up high. It gave me the feeling that I was standing up there myself and was in danger of falling off. Weird, I know, but what can you do?
I didn’t even have the nerve to check and see what time we were making. I didn’t want to look toward either side of the carriage, and I didn’t want to release my hold on the sides. All I could do was keep my eyes fixed ahead, watching as Canterlot loomed closer and closer into view. The sooner this ride was over with, the better.
At long last, we touched down on solid ground at the palace gates. Stiffly, I picked up my hat and cane and stumbled out of the chariot.
“Are you all right, sir?” the guard asked.
“Oh, yes,” I said, through gritted teeth. “Just peachy. Thank you.”
“I’ll be ready when your business is settled, sir. Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
With that, I made my way through the palace gates, legs feeling like jelly. In all fairness, I could have warned Princess Luna I hated heights, but I did make it in good time.
***
“Ah, David. Welcome.”
Ironmane was standing by a closed oak door reading “Equestria Round Table”, when I finally made my way through the hallways of the castle, having been redirected by several guards.
“Good morning, Minister,” I puffed. “I hope I’m not too late.”
“No, you are not, though I have to admit, seeing you able to even make it surprises me, and I am not a stallion who is easily surprised.”
(Still haven’t lost that charm, have ya, Minister?)
“Well, thankfully, Princess Luna was attending the festivities, and she volunteered to arrange something.”
“How fortunate,” said Ironmane, simply.
“So, is there anything I need to know about this meeting?”
“It is merely for orientational purposes: introductions and other formalities of that sort. I must, of course, ask you to be on your best behavior, as you are still under my jurisdiction,” he added, warningly, seeing me about to speak in protest.
“Yes, sir,” I muttered.
“Good. Now, follow me.”
Ironmane opened the door and led me inside. I found myself in a room much akin to those you’d see in offices for staff meetings. There wasn’t much inside except for a window overlooking the castle grounds, a massive map of Equestria, and a circular table, where several other distinguished creatures sat.
The most striking was the pony to his immediate left: an alicorn. She was a soft pink, her wings tinged at the tips with purple. Her mane was long and flowing, curled at the ends, striped with purple, dark pink, and cream. She wore a small gold crown, a golden necklace, and gold horseshoes. Her cutie mark looked like a blue heart surrounded by gold brackets. She had a gentle, kind-natured face. Was she a princess, too?
One member was an elderly donkey, with a faded brown coat and a pair of thick glasses resting on his snout. He must have been one of the more senior members of this council.
The second was a pegasus mare, dressed in a prim suit jacket, her silver-blond mane trimmed short, almost boyishly, blending nicely with her pale cream coat. She had the face of one who had seen many unspeakable things in the past, but had only made her tougher. Her cutie mark resembled an eagle with spread wings.
The third was an Earth pony stallion, his coat a dull brown. He was wearing a pinstriped suit and a fedora hat, much akin to someone you might see in a Mafia movie. He had a casual, streetwise look about him, the kind of fellow you’d see lounging in an easy chair as if he hadn’t a care in the world. His cutie mark was a pistol.
The fourth could only be a griffin. He had the white-feathered head, wings, and talons of a large eagle, but the golden-brown body, tail, and hind paws of a lion. He had a dignified, calm air about him, kind of like Ironmane.
The fifth was another unmistakable, though I had never seen a real one before: a minotaur. From the waist up, he had the muscular body of a man, but the head of a bull. From the waist down, he had bovine hooves. He was sitting with arms crossed, calmly observing everyone else.
The sixth was a buffalo, dwarfing even the griffin with his hulking form, and equaling the minotaur. He wore a pair of feathers by his horn, and had an impassive face, looking at ease even with being so huge..
The final member was...a dragon, and not a kind-looking baby dragon, like Spike. This one was an adult, probably 15 feet tall, towering over everypony else like a skyscraper, his scales a lava red, his underbelly and inner wings a steel-gray. He had a scarred, haughty face and yellow eyes. I didn’t want to have to look at him as I took my own place, between him and the buffalo, per Ironmane’s suggestion.
“Welcome, delegates,” said Ironmane, in his clipped tone. “I thank you for attending this meeting today, especially considering the fact that some of you may have been out celebrating last night. This shan’t be a lengthy meeting, but merely a formality, as we have two new members among our ranks. Let us go around and introduce ourselves, shall we? I believe we should begin with Her Majesty.”
So she was a princess. Everyone briefly inclined their heads in respect as she stood up.
“Well, I am Princess Cadence,” she said, “and I have been helping my aunt Celestia as an ambassador across and outside Equestria. I was invited to take part in this council once I had come of age, and have been ever since. I hope to continue bringing peace between our tribes for many years to come.”
(Cadence? Where have I heard that name before?...Feels like I ought to- Wait, I know! Cadence! Twilight’s old foalsitter, and her brother’s wife! He married a princess?! Holy cow!)
Ironmane then turned his attention to the donkey, who nodded.
“I am Cornelius, of Fillydelphia” he said, in a creaky voice. “I’ve served this council for 60 years, and have always done what I could to serve Her Royal Highness. I may not be a pony per se, but we donkeys still hold much respect and gratitude toward the two princesses.”
(Well, they do say experience comes with age.)
Ironmane cleared his throat.
“I am Ironmane, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I have been on-staff for Princess Celestia for more than 40 years, and it has always been my duty to ensure there is nothing to threaten the safety and security of Her Highness or our nation.”
(More than 40 years, huh? How many ponies have had to endure your stick-up-your-flank attitude?)
Ironmane turned his attention to the pegasus.
“You can call me Eagle Eye,” she said, in a tough voice that suited her countenance. “I’m representing the pegasi, and have been part of this council for 15 years. I’ve seen my fair share of skirmishes between locals and foreigners, and have always counted on being able to scout out trouble from afar before it heats up, though I can say those who don’t back off when I say so are never lucky.”
(She could probably kick my butt with both wings tied behind her back.)
Ironmane turned to the Earth pony, who sat up straighter.
“Name’s Sure Shot, from Manehattan,” he said, in a voice marked with a Brooklyn accent. “I’ve been here for about 11 years. I’ve seen a lot of gang activity in my neck of the woods, and, let’s face it, I ain’t been too innocent myself. Still, if I can stop our upcoming generation from following in those hoofsteps, that’s good enough for me.”
(A gangster with morals? Isn’t that rare?)
Ironmane nodded and turned to the griffin, who drew himself up and cleared his throat.
“As for myself,” he said, in a manner of speech that would have made him welcome in Canterlot, “I am Apollo Ignatius Griffellow II, or Apollo G., for short, though I prefer simply Apollo. I am here representing the Griffin Kingdom, and have served this council for 10 years, taking on the role my illustrious father before me had. I have always sought to end violent altercations between individuals through calm and diplomatic discourse. When that does not work, I have no choice but to result to sterner methods of pacification”
(Wow, what a windbag.)
Ironmane turned to the minotaur.
“I go by Rock Solid, and I originate from San Palomino,” he said. “For 8 years, I’ve been a part of this council. In my past, I’ve been a bodyguard to many distinguished nobles, and I wish to employ my skills for the security of Equestria.”
(With muscles like that, you’d have to be an idiot to try and fight him.)
Ironmane then turned to the buffalo.
“I am known as Rolling Stone,” he said, in a deep, rumbling voice, “representing my brethren in the wilds outside the Appleloosan settlement. I have been a member of this council a mere 5 years, and was unfortunate enough to see the brief but violent Appleloosan Skirmish over a year ago. My kin and the settler ponies have long since come to a compromise, but I have always, even before then, sought to respect the ideals and opinions of cultures outside ours.”
(Huh. I kinda like this guy. He’s got a cool voice.)
Ironmane then turned to me. I could see by now that the order was from who had been on the council the longest to who was new. It wasn’t comforting to be sitting beside the newest guy when it was a dragon. It took me a bit to work up the nerve, but I finally said,
“Er, my name’s David, but you can call me Dave, for short. As you might have guessed, I’m a human, and not actually native to Equestria.”
I paused, trying to find the right thing to say. Everyone else was looking at me, as if asking me to go on.
“Is that it?” the dragon asked, in an amused voice.
“Silence,” said Ironmane, calmly but coldly. “Let him speak.”
Hearing Ironmane actually speak in my defense was something new. It gave me a boost of resolve. With a more confident tone of voice, I said,
“I may not have much to offer by battle experience or diplomatic discourse. However, what I can say is that I have never appreciated seeing anyone being treated unjustly or unfairly, especially when it’s being done just for the sake of being a jerk. It’s my hope to be able to do what I can to show people like that why they can’t just...do that. It may not be much, but it’s what I’m wholeheartedly willing to offer.”
I stopped, looking about at the other delegates. Ironmane’s mouth looked less thin than usual, almost as if he were wanting to smile, but was keeping himself from doing so.
“Well said, my good fellow,” said Apollo, pompously. “You are a lad of pluck, I can see that plain as day.”
“Not bad, beanpole,” said Eagle Eye, smirking. “A little Miss Equestria-ish, but I can’t fault ya for having your heart in the right place.”
“Admirable,” said Rolling Stone, simply.
The others nodded their approval. Princess Cadence smiled sweetly. It looked like I had dodged a bullet. Even the dragon elevated his brows in a way that suggested he was impressed.
Ironmane nodded to him, and he placed one gnarled fist on the table.
“Brutus is my name,” he said. “I represent the dragons. For years, we’ve been satisfied keeping our business separate from that of other Equestrians. You could do as you please as long as you didn’t get in the way of our business.”
“And what brings you on board this council in the first place?” asked Eagle Eye.
“Eh?” grunted Brutus.
“I’m curious as well,” said Apollo. “You dragons have proven very much satisfied with attending to your own affairs. Why, now, do you choose to represent your kind as part of a foreign relations council?”
Brutus merely shrugged and said,
“I just figured enough was enough. My people are always being given a bad reputation just for being what we’re born to be. The dragon race was born to conquer, to crush our opposition, to reap the spoils of our victories! I thought Equestria might benefit from a little draconic backup to its armed forces.”
“In exchange for gemstones, of course,” Ironmane said, offhandedly.
“Of course,” said Brutus, bluntly. “Equestria’s soil is chock-full, so why not share the spoils? You hardly use them for anything worthwhile anyway.”
“I know a fashionista in Ponyville who uses them for her clothing designs,” I added, in a slightly irritated tone.
“That so? Well, I guess they’re pretty to look at and good eatin’.”
(E-yuck...I don’t wanna imagine what gems actually taste like.)
“Say, wait a minute,” Brutus mused, scratching his chin as he gazed at me. “I feel like I’ve seen your face before. Weren’t you in the papers?”
“Er, yes. A couple times,” I muttered.
“Ha!” he barked. “I knew you looked familiar! You’re the guy who got drunk on cider! Well, I’ve always enjoyed a frosty one now and then. Maybe sometime, you and I could grab a couple. I know a great joint with brews that’ll turn your head! Course, it might be a little much for someone who goes tipsy on apple cider.”
(Yeah, I think I’ll pass on that, thanks.)
“That is enough,” said Ironmane. “You are all now acquainted with each other, and know what you stand for. I do regret, unfortunately, having two empty chairs at our Round Table.”
I looked about. Sure enough, two chairs were unoccupied around the table, so coated with dust that they looked like they were painted white. I would have thought they were that color, if I hadn’t already seen that the chairs were polished brown wood.
“Who occupied those seats, Minister?” I asked.
Ironmane glanced at me, then heaved a sigh.
“Members belonging to two races sadly lost to time, David,” he said. “One was for the Crystal Empire, of which even Princess Celestia possesses scant knowledge, but has been lost for over 1000 years.”
“A thousand-!” I began, impressed.
“Indeed. And the other was for Aquastria, the capital of the Seapony race. The distinguished Seaponies have long disappeared, and some go so far as to call them a fairy tale.”
That was unbelievable! To think that not just one, but two civilizations still had places at the council despite being absent for 1000 years!
“Some would have gone far enough to say humans were a fairy tale,” said Eagle Eye, “until you came along, beanpole.”
“Indeed,” said Apollo. “You are a piece of history, dear boy, an article of a time long since forgotten. We are fortunate to have such as part of our ranks.”
“Hey now, Apollo,” said Sure Shot, “let’s not make him out to be some kinda collectible.”
“In all honesty,” I said, somewhat embarrassed, “I feel a little overwhelmed. I don’t even begin to equal any of you in your experience. Just to have you satisfied with my being here is more than I could ask for.”
“Ah, don’t be so modest, Mr. Popular,” said Brutus, bending down to give me a punch on the arm that all but dislocated my shoulder.
“Very well, then,” said Ironmane. “All I have more to say is, welcome to our two newest members, David and Brutus. Also, I wish to impose a reminder of what it is you are required to do for this council. You may receive assignments that will ask you to perform missions of diplomacy towards Equestrian and non-Equestrian individuals you may encounter. If we here at the castle detect anything of the sort within your district, I shall have instructions sent to you via the nearest correspondence system. If the situation becomes more than you can handle, send word to me, and I shall arrive as quick as I can to resolve the issue. Other than that, I leave it to you settle your affairs as you see fit. Understood?”
“Yes, Minister,” everyone said.
“Excellent. Meeting adjourned.”
Everyone got to their feet. Brutus, not waiting for anyone, immediately headed out the door.
“Quite a brusque fellow, isn’t he?” asked Apollo of Rolling Stone.
“The dragons have been in conflict with ponies for years,” said Rolling Stone, sagely. “He is merely needing time to adjust. He may come around to our ways soon enough.”
“Yeah, or he may burn this place to the ground and ransack the royal treasury,” said Eagle Eye. “I’m not too keen on having a dragon on the council, either. Then again, Ironmane and Princess Celestia have never been wrong.”
Ironmane merely inclined his head, in a way that said he neither confirmed nor denied the compliment. As much as his attitude towards me had improved slightly, there were still some things I didn’t like about him.
As everyone else was leaving, I stopped Princess Cadence.
“Er, Your Highness?”
She stopped and turned to me.
“Yes?”
“Er, hi. We’ve never actually met before today, but I’m well acquainted with your sister-in-law, Twilight Sparkle.”
Cadence’s eyes lit up.
“Oh, you are? How wonderful! You’re from Ponyville, then?”
“Yes, I am, after a fashion. It’s where I’m staying, anyways.”
“Excellent! It’s been ages since I’ve seen Twilight. Shining Armor and I have been busy with other matters after our honeymoon, but Aunt Celestia called me back to see the new members brought into the council. I’m sure you’re going to do just fine.”
“Well, er, thank you very much, Your Highn-”
“Please, David. You can just call me Cadence.”
I couldn’t help but smile. She was so kind, so easy-tempered. Why did fiction always have to make royalty so stuck-up and snobbish compared to what was before me?
“Thank you, Cadence.”
“Good day, Minister,” she said, turning to Ironmane.
“Good day, Princess,” said Ironmane, inclining his head.
With that, she departed, and Ironmane and I were the only ones left. As I made for the door, he stopped me.
“David.”
“Yes, Minister?”
“You conducted yourself very maturely, for one new to the field.”
“I’m not as new as that dragon,” I retorted.
“True. Still, this is a rare occasion. Brutus was one of the few dragons in Equestrian history willing to compromise with ponykind. He may have some other motive for doing so, of course-”
“Like gems?”
“Precisely, but I have to trust that he may provide insight this council requires. It may do our historians good to have a dragon’s insight for once, and that is an incredibly rare thing indeed.”
“I see. Well, Princess Celestia made the call, sir, and all we can do is trust her judgement.”
“Well put. Very well, David, you are dismissed. And, incidentally, in the case of an emergency, I shall send your correspondence through Twilight Sparkle’s dragon. He is the closest and swiftest connection Ponyville has, beyond the post..”
“That works fine. Good day, Minister.”
“Good day.”
I left the council room, feeling elated at having gone through the meeting with very little incident, but also nervous about having to share the council with a dragon, especially one that big. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to be in contact with him very often; I wouldn’t exactly jump at the chance to send him an S.O.S. for a hairy situation.
With all this in mind, I headed for the castle entrance, knowing what was waiting for me out there: my return trip in that flying carriage. Even when I had entered, I hadn’t seen any sign of Princess Celestia. This shouldn’t have surprised me, as she was most likely busy with...princess business, whatever that consisted of.
Sure enough, the carriage was out there waiting at the gates, and the guard was still harnessed to it. This guy had remarkable patience to stand out there for that long with nothing to do.
“Welcome back, sir,” he said, as I climbed in and put my hat and cane at my feet. “I take it your business went well?”
“Yeah, better than expected,” I said. “Well, let’s get this over with, and can we go a little slower?”
“Sorry, sir, one speed only, per regulations,” said the guard.
“Oh, joy,” I muttered. “All right, whenever you’re ready.”
The guard spread his wings, worked himself into a gallop, and took off for Ponyville. I swear, if I even had any lunch with me, I’d have lost it by now.