//------------------------------// // Well, he's an asshole! // Story: The Trouble with Gryphons // by Broniesrponies2 //------------------------------// General Feltha's aide walked in as I was writing a slip to be sent to him. It was convenient to say the least. "Good afternoon, I am the new diplomat from Equestria. I am here to prevent a war. My name is Josh." I stood and walked around my desk, extending my hand. "Good... afternoon. I am surprised that Equestria was able to respond so quickly. My name is Ando. I am the aide to General Feltha. I don't want war anymore than you do." "Then we have something to work towards. When can I meet with the General directly?" "You can make an appointment for early this evening." "A diplomatic dinner then?" "I suppose that it can be arranged." "Perfect, I will see you there. Do you need anything else?" "Well, no. I was just coming to see Angel Dancer again. I suppose that she has already left?" "Yes, she is probably already out of the country." "I am sorry that she had to leave." "So am I." Ando turned and left, closing the door behind himself. Midnight Guardian walked over from the wall that he had been leaning on and faced me. "It would appear that we have an ally." "It would indeed. We will need him. I suggest that we be careful. With all of the anti-Equestrian feeling in this country, there may be some assassination attempts. You have your magic, but what can Night Raven and I do?" "I will send a message to Celestia detailing your concerns. I do not think that they would attempt assassination, however. If they would, what methods might they use?" "The popular ones from my world were poison, long range projectiles or blades. Anything that can kill quietly. A spell that could give us an awareness of the things around us would be good. Also, one that could protect us from poison, if you or the princesses know any." "I can do the first, but we will need to communicate with the princess about the latter." "Very well. Midnight, please cast the awareness spell onto us then both of you get your rooms ready. I will remain here for a short while then go and ready my own room. We should be okay this early, but lets not let haste get in the way of prudence." "Okay." A purple aura flashed over the three of us as Midnight's horn glowed. Then it was gone. "Test it first to make sure that it is working properly." Midnight looked at me, his face pained. "Better to find out now than in some dark alley." I consoled him. "I suppose." he said. Night Raven took up a ruler and threw it across the room at me. I closed my eyes, feeling the trajectory of it and stayed still. It whistled over my shoulder and into the wall. "Perfect. DO either of you feel the need to test. My accuracy would not be as good as yours." "We are confident that is works." said Night Raven. "Okay, we meet back here in three hours. Then we will go to the Gryphon palace and meet with their leader." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was at about 7:00pm local time that we went to have dinner with General Feltha. There was a small reception when we arrived before we were all ushered into a dining room. On one side of the table sat myself, Midnight Guardian and Night Raven. On the other sat the general, Ando and a gryphon that I hadn't met. "I find it interesting that Celestia ushered you here so urgently when hearing that we had requested a new diplomat. One might think that Equestria was doing something in my country that I wouldn't want them to." started the general as the appetizers arrived. Their side was served with a meat stew while mine was served with vegetable stew. It was an obvious diplomatic courtesy. "There is nothing to it. We simply wish to maintain a diplomatic presence in the kingdom during a time of strained relations. Perhaps we can bring our two countries closer together." I replied, before spooning some soup into my mouth. "It is still distressing. Your denial seems only to confirm my fears." "Would you like to screen all of the communications going into and out of the embassy? They must all still be delivered, but you or your aide may see them all personally if you so desire." "Might it be that you have some magical way of communicating that we don't know of?" "If that is the case, you may place a guard to watch me. I would feel more comfortable if you could trust us completely." "Your openness simply makes us more suspicious. I must request that you and your diplomatic team remain in the embassy unless you are attending a function. I would like your movements accounted for." "You may watch us certainly, but to restrict us from your city takes things too far. How may I properly understand your people if I never see them." "We can arrange some interviews if you would like." "General, what I would like is some small concession that would allow my team to work more smoothly." The general smiled a little bit self-satisfactorily. "Yes, I'm sure you would." "I do not suppose that it would be granted then." "No, it will not. I expect you to remain within the embassy, where my people can find you." Assassination I thought, keeping a straight face. He will order his people to try to make it look either like an accident if he isn't ready for war, or deliberate action if he is. The equipment of the assassin will allow me to gauge the kingdom's war preparations. I answered after another spoonful. "I can see nothing wrong with that. I must be in communicable range of course. If I am among your people, an urgent communication from yourself might take time to find me. I do not wish to be unprepared." "I am surprised that you agree so quickly." "It is not unreasonable. I also hear that there is a lot of anti-Equestrian feeling at the moment. It may be safer in the embassy." "I shall send the guard to the embassy with you." "I must request that he not set foot into the embassy armed." "Would you have him incapable of defending himself?" "I would not have him hurt. One of my staff may get nervous if your guard has a weapon in my presence. Perhaps your aide might be a better choice for the position than a guard. You must trust him more than a common soldier after all." "A valid point. I will consider it." "It would be well to agree General. A trained soldier may be nervous and jumpy, but your aide has experience." "Very well. Ando, you will be staying at the Equestrian embassy during the day." "It may as well be full time. He can sleep in the same room as me if he so desires. We do attempt to make our guests comfortable." "You are correct. Ando, upon completion of this meal, pack up your things. You will depart for the Equestrian embassy with Josh." "Yes sir." said the Gryphon from beside his general. The meal was nearing completion. A gryphon butler walked around the table pouring wine into each glass. "I would prefer water to alcohol thank you." I said as the butler approached me. "Would you refuse my nation's hospitality?" asked the general. "I have a distaste for fermented beverages general. There is no slight intended." "Interesting." "Is it not." I said, toning it as a statement.