Cobalt laid the two wine glasses on the table next to his wife. He went to take the bottle back to the fridge, but Sugar gave him a look.
“Leave the bottle.” She said.
Cobalt nodded and took a breath. He’d been dodging this talk long enough. They were safe back in Canterlot, the foals were all asleep, and Sugar had been more than patient. Cobalt took a seat on the couch next to his wife and gave her a sympathetic smile.
“I guess you have some questions that need answered.”
Sugar nodded. “Yeah, you think?”
“Look, Sugar, what I do, it’s... complicated. There are things that I can’t tell you, as in, I’d lose my job, wind up in jail or worse. But, I’ll try to... bend the rules. You deserve, something.”
“Did they tell you that you had to lie to me about what you did?”
Cobalt nodded. “They thought it was best for everyone. The less you know, the safer you are. That’s the truth.”
Sugar scowled at him. “Do you think I’m that childish? That I wouldn't be able to handle what you do? I’m not some little filly you need to make up stories for, I’m your wife! You know, equal partner in everything for twenty years? Or was that all a lie as well?”
Cobalt cut her off before she could say any more. “Don’t even start with that. I love you, we’ve had children together, I promised to be with you until we’re both old and senile, none of that is a lie.”
“But yet you still don’t trust me?”
“It isn't like that! My department of the RIB doesn't even officially exist to ponies without Top Secret clearance.” Cobalt gave his wife a pleading look. “Please, try to understand, if I could have told you, I would have.”
“So you’re what, a spy?” She ventured.
“No. Spies are the bad guys. I’m a covert operative.”
Sugar stared at him flatly.
“Fine, I’m a spy. There is a difference you know.”
“You’re really not in a position to be playing games with me.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just, you watch the movies and read the books, and you think that a spy is something that it isn’t. I’m not Con Mane.”
Sugar raised an eyebrow. “Well then... What is it, precisely, that you do?”
Cobalt closed his eyes and tried to think of a way to answer that. “Ponies in the government, ponies in law enforcement, ponies in the army... they need to know things so that they can make decisions, keep their own alive, do their jobs. My job is to make sure that they know everything they need to. I’ve saved soldiers lives, I’ve put some very bad ponies behind bars, and I’ve given advice to officials in the highest levels of Equestrian Government. I really can’t say much more than that.”
“So, every family vacation we’ve ever been on, has that just been you working a job? All some kind of smokescreen?” She said accusatively.
Cobalt went on the defensive. “That wasn’t something that should have happened. It was the first time they ever asked me to do anything like that, and It will be the last time. There’s a line and they crossed it.”
Sugar nodded. “Was that... thing you gave to our son... was it the only one?”
Cobalt looked confused. “What thing?”
She shot him a look. “What thing? The instrument specifically designed to maim and kill! That’s what thing!”
Cobalt stared at her blankly. “That.... is a very poetic and derogatory way to refer to my pistol cuff. But yes, it’s the only one.”
Sugar looked at her glass for a second. “Have you ever... well, as part of your job... to, get...” Sugar trailed off, eyes watering. Cobalt moved in closer,confused as she looked away from him. She continued, voice wavering. “To... get close to, someone you had to... learn something from... have you...” Cobalt cut her off.
“Sugar, look at me.” She looked up to see him giving a warm smile. “I know what you’re thinking. And the answer is no. Never. Those movies are escapism, adolescent fantasies. Don’t believe any of it. I’m not an international playcolt, and there’s only one mare on this earth that I’ve ever...” He borrowed her earlier term as he ran his hoof along the side of her neck. “Gotten close to.”
Sugar seemed satisfied with that, giving a weak smile in return. For a moment she said nothing, looking at her glass again. Cobalt continued to smile, hoping his wife had no further questions. But after an awkward pause, she spoke again, her voice almost a whisper.
“Cobalt... have you ever...” Her volume dropped drastically, and Cobalt failed to hear the end of her sentence.
“Uhm... come again?” Cobalt tried.
“Have you ever.... killed anypony?”
The look on her husbands face was all the answer Sugar needed. He stiffened and looked away, debating his response. Sugar took a breath and wiped her eyes.
Cobalt spoke as calmly as he could. “There are some questions.... that I think you don’t want answered.”
“I just need to know.”
“Are you sure?”
“Cobalt!” She snapped at her husband. “Please... just tell me.”
The stallion closed his eyes, silent for a moment, and spoke.
“Yes.”
Sugar looked away, on the edge of tears. Cobalt put his forelegs around her. “Listen to me. I’ve never taken it lightly. Ever. When I kill, there is no other option. I take a life to save a life, I’m no different than a soldier or a Gendarme in that regard. It’s... hard. And I’ve never... It’s kept me up at night.”
Sugar was barely holding back tears, Cobalt could tell just by looking at her. What had she been expecting? She wouldn’t have believed him if he’d said anything else, and she didn’t deserve any more lies. Cobalt placed his forehooves around her neck and held his wife close. “I’m so sorry Sugar... I’m so sorry for all this... this isn’t how you should have found out... I promise I’ll make this right, if it takes the rest of my life I’ll make this up to you.”
Sugar Heart looked up at her husband. In his face was the same sincerity that had been there through every tender moment in their relationship. Through all the sunny days and stormy nights, Cobalt had been there for her, and she for him. There had obviously been arguments, but he would show her that genuine smile and apologize, even when he had been in the right. When Cobalt looked at her like that, Sugar always melted, always trusted in him implicitly.
But not this time. He had lied to them all, lied to his own children for their entire lives up until this point, lied to her since the day he started work at the ‘post office’. But that wasn’t even the worst of it anymore, a liar was one thing, a killer was quite another. That soft, warm smile, the caring, compassionate face, it was a mask. A mask worn by somepony she wasn’t sure she knew, somepony who freely admitted to the taking of lives. And if the debacle on their recent ‘vacation’ hadn’t happened, Sugar might never have known she had married a killer. Sugar trembled, and pulled away from Cobalt, at which his ears drooped. Her voice was shaky as she addressed her husband.
“Cobalt... I need some time to make sense of all of this.”
He nodded. “I understand...” Cobalt looked around the room for a moment as the realization dawned on him. “I’m... I’m sleeping here in the living room tonight, aren’t I?”
Sugar sighed, giving a slight nod. “Goodnight Cobalt.”
Not another word was exchanged as Sugar went up to their bedroom. The bed felt much larger tonight than it ever had before when she’d slept alone. Both ponies tossed and turned for hours chasing sleep,but they found none. Instead their thoughts drifted to each other, and the way things had been before. Both Cobalt and Sugar knew that things had changed, that there was a tension between them that had never been nearly this extreme. Neither could have possibly guessed, however, just how lonely the other felt. Though only a flight of stairs and a door at the end of a hallway separated them, they felt as if they were a whole world away from each other.
The more Cobalt reflected on that feeling, the more he realized that it might be the truth.
*****
Lieutenant General Regal Blade walked briskly through the halls of the palace in Canterlot. Though he had taken his leave today to spend time with his wife, one did not simply refuse a direct summons from the Princess herself. His duties of late had kept him far from the capitol, which had been welcome at first (one could only really drink so much tea, after all), but the rigors of life at the frontier had rapidly done their number on the old Stallion. His wife would never say so (she was far too proper of a military wife), but she yearned for her social clubs, her old friends, and to be near her son. She loved Canterlot dearly, but never had she asked to return. Such a conversation would have been terribly awkward, and the subject became something of a taboo. They were both largely unsatisfied, but too set in their ways to try and change.
As the General walked into the wing of the castle where he was to meet Celestia, he overheard an ongoing conversation between some familiar voices.
“The military advisors will have to be reorganized. If we’re to undertake an expansion such as this then we simply cannot do with less than twenty General officers, and I should greatly prefer around thirty,” The voice was that of Lieutenant General Alabaster Cuirass. A staunch old Pegasus stallion in his mid sixties; Alabaster’s coat was, ironically, not white, but rather a noble scarlet, which had the amusing effect of blending with his dress uniform. His voice and mannerisms were unusually proper for a Pegasus, and a soldier to boot. Alabaster had won over the Unicorns at court with his fierce loyalty, gentlemanly conduct, and unwavering sense of personal honor. Not to mention he had quite literally written the book on modern defensive tactics.
The second voice was a good deal more familiar. “I trust your judgement, General Cuirass. If we need more generals I shall submit them for promotion. Present me with a list of suitable candidates within the next twenty four hours.”
“You’ll have it in six.” Alabaster replied.
As he heard the voice, Blade stopped. Surely it wasn’t... he wouldn’t be speaking to a General officer in such a manner, could it really be?
When the pair rounded the corner into Blade’s sight, they stopped as well. Firstly, Blade rendered a salute to his superior, which was returned in kind. During the salute, the Blade got a good look at the pony to whom Cuirass had been speaking.
“Father...” Courser said, clearly quite surprised. “I wasn’t aware you were in the capitol.”
“A summons from the princess, Procurator; I was to come here immediately.” Blade used his son’s official title; the young stallion technically outranked him due to his civilian position on the council.
Courser looked a little excited for a moment. “You’ve not heard then?”
Blade raised an eyebrow, perplexed. “Heard what?”
“I no longer hold the title of procurator. I’ve been appointed the first Equestrian Minister for Defense.”
The old general was taken aback. Courser was barely old enough to be a politician, but a cabinet minister? The thought was ludicrous. The sheer audacity of the appointment caused the general to forget for a moment that this was his son. The shock on Blade’s face was obviously visible, as Courser for a moment seemed very disappointed.
The crestfallen look on his son's face shot a pang through Blade’s heart. He cursed his self restraint, and looked for something to say to his son.
“When were you given the appointment? And what shall your... portfolio entail?” Doing his best to sound genuinely curious, Blade put a forced smile on as best he could, but his sons ears had already fallen, and he avoided eye contact with his father.
“The bureau will be responsible for conducting the organization and deployment of the Royal Equestrian Army. The appointment was given to me by the Princess herself.” Courser looked at his father hopefully. Blade gave him a soft smile.
“I... Do you feel you’re ready? You’re quite young to hold such an important post...”
“I’m not a fool, father; I’m actively seeking the advice and guidance of your colleagues. And should you wish to offer any, I... I would be most appreciative.”
Blade gave him a worried look. Courser had been full of ambition and ideas, unlike many from noble stock; he had seen politics as an actual civil service rather than his entitlement. Though Courser had undeniably been self important at times, there was a real desire to be of use to his nation. Whether it was out of personal ambition or legitimate patriotism, even his father couldn’t really say.
“If you ever need anything, I’ll be there. I wish you all the best.”
“Goodbye father,” Courser walked away, still looking hurt. He had hoped his father would be proud of him, but Blade could hardly take pride in something he truly didn’t understand. He assured himself that he would watch his son, and hopefully prevent him from destroying his career. If Courser’s tenure was successful, that would be the time for praise.
Blade continued on without another word to his son, he could only contemplate the new development. A ministry for defense meant that the Security Council was no longer in place, which could bode good or ill. But why appoint somepony so young? Why announce the change on such short notice, and without publicity? Such questions were for the consideration of politicians, but after the rank of colonel, a soldier tends to find himself forced to play politician more than he is often comfortable with.
Blade arrived outside the Princesses study, where an aide showed him in. He found the Princess at her desk reading a file. Blade saluted and spoke. “Lieutenant General Blade, Commander Frontier Task Force. Reporting as ordered your majesty.” She looked up momentarily and smiled.
“Ah, General, please, sit down.”
The soldier did as he was told, and accepted a cup of tea from an aide.
“Thank you for your hospitality, my liege. To what do I owe the honour of this summons?”
“Have you heard of the recent developments in the Transvaal conflict?”
Blade was disinterested. The Transvaal Task Force was Bristle’s show, and Blade had had to fork over three companies that had ultimately done nothing but garrison duty for the last year.
“I’m afraid I’ve not. Has there been some major news?”
“One hundred-fifty Equestrian soldiers held a defensive position for nearly eighteen hours against a force of over 4000. The Impi were so shocked that they’re willing to come to the negotiating table.”
This caught Blade’s attention. “150? How many casualties?”
“Fewer than twenty.” The princess said.
That was of particular interest. Blade’s mouth hung slightly open in awe. It was no secret that the REA was far from an elite fighting force; feats such as this were quite rare.
Celestia observed the shock on the General’s face and continued. “The Officer commanding the defense was a former student of the Canterlot Royal Officers Academy, while you were serving as Commandant. He is a young Pegasus Knight Lieutenant by the name of Gale Storm.”
The corner of Blade’s mouth curled into a smile. Of course it would be Storm. He had known that cadet would go on to do great things, just like he had known with Shining Armor.
With a look of pride, Blade raised his chin and smiled. “This is excellent news, Gale was one of my finest students, I had a feeling he would make an excellent officer, are there plans to decorate him?”
“Naturally,” Celestia responded. “He has made a full report, based on his recommendations, medals will be awarded to the soldiers he has indicated. Storm himself will receive the Celestial Sun for his actions. I wish to present the medal myself, but I also would like to know more about the soldier receiving it, which is, incidentally, why I’ve called you here.”
Celestia looked the General in the eye, studying his reactions. There was an unrestrained pride here, the General held his chin up, and seemed to wear Storm’s victory as if it were his own. Or better yet, as if Storm were his child. Celestia continued calmly.
“I want you to tell me everything you can about Knight Lieutenant Gale Storm. Not what’s in his file, I have that in front of me.”
Blade raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure I know what you mean, his record ought to speak for itself.”
Celestia waved her hoof. “It speaks to the soldier, not the stallion. I want to know who he is when he takes the armor off, what drives him to do what he does.”
Blade nodded. “He was... quiet, at first. You could’ve called him introverted, private, a little angry even. He had quite the temper in the first few months and had no patience for his fellow cadets wasting time. It made him decidedly unpopular, but Shining brought him out of his shell. Before long they were inseparable, all the same classes, most of the same training and rec clubs. It took us about a year to realize what potential Gale and Shining had.” The old general smiled, fondly reminiscing. Celestia couldn’t help but wonder if Blade regarded the achievements of his own son quite so proudly as those of two young soldiers whose school he had administered. Celestia took a sip of tea, and Blade followed suit. Celestia knew that Regal Blade had a penchant for storytelling, he loved to regale anypony who would listen about his time in this or that post, and he seemed particularly proud of his time as CROA's Commandant. If there was a better way to learn what the General truly thought of young Gale Storm, Celestia certainly couldn’t think of it.
“I hope you’ll indulge me, general; it sounds like you have quite a few fond memories of Lieutenant Storm during his time at the Academy.”
Blade smiled widely. “More than a few... I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of a student than I was of him and Shining Armor, in fact I’m not sure if I’ve ever been more proud of anypony in my entire life.”
Well, Celestia thought. That certainly answers the question as to his feelings towards his son... “General, I do hope you’ll regale me with one or two stories... I’m very much looking forward to meeting Lieutenant Storm.”
“What would you like to hear, your majesty?”
Celestia took another sip of her tea. Storm would have a role to play in the days to come, but to know what that role must be, she needed to know so much more than his service record and a few brief statements as to his character.
“Everything...” The Princess said calmly. “I’d like to hear everything.”