//------------------------------//
//  Preparing the Soldiers. 
// Story: Equestrian Doom 
// by tankmanbrony 
//------------------------------//

Chapter Eight: Preparing the Soldiers.

Stahl was drilling his soldiers for the defense of the city. He had even put the diamond dog platoon into the field with the rest of the military. It had gotten cramped until the Princess Luna ordered that all the cities and towns were to send no more soldiers until the cities had at least two divisions garrisoned inside them. He had enjoyed the halting of additional soldiers into Canterlot but also knew that they weren’t receiving additional soldiers to fight with. He had recently ordered by his commander to begin training for the impending siege and not to alarm the civilians. What made that part difficult was how the nobles were constantly asking his commanding officers for him to be part of their guard. They always refused on the grounds that he was needed more by his soldiers. 
“Stahl when do the beasties come?” asked Runius.	

He shook his head despite commanding the largest company in the whole army he still had a few problems with keeping discipline in the majority of his force. He turned to face the diamond dog that stood several feet above the top of his head. They shared a mutual respect each having killed a great deal of demons in the pass. He was still in his armor the crude nature of it actually helped him when he had been leaped on by a maggot who hurt itself on the large bolts. 

“I don’t know but I think in about a week and a half. Also remember when the rest of my battalion showed up well this battle is going to be like that part but a lot bigger.”

“more beasties mean more gems” said Runius

“more demons mean that we take more causalities and possible be killed ourselves besides where do you think you’ll get the gems it’s not like the demons to wear any sort of armor.”

“From you ponies of course we get paid in gems” the diamond dog’s greed obvious from his voice. 

He wasn’t surprised that battalion paid them in gems since diamond dogs loved gems more than most and had proved themselves at the pass to be capable fighters. Having made up the bulk of the soldiers who fought there. He owed several his life and promised them that they would be justly rewarded for any action they took helping the ponies. 

“you’ll get those gems but we have more pressing matters to deal with for instance how are we going to survive the coming battle.” 

They despite their hero status were still just one albeit larger than usual company in a larger army. Past them they saw several ballistae being wheel towards the wall. He knew what that meant that this was the target for the siege. Behind them march several companies of soldiers all making their way to wall. Both he and his companion could hear the noise of all the hooves marching. He turned and looked at Runius.

“Looks like we’ll be back in battle again my friend.” He said remembering the previous battle and giving an involuntary shudder. 

“yes shall.” The diamond dog seeming almost excited and wary at the same time.  He patted his mace “more beasties to kill.”

Stahl turned away from his friend and walked away various thoughts demanding his attention when he looked up at the sky and saw a dark shape fly above him. He stared trying to see what it was when he recognized the Princess flying above him. He stared at her wondering why she was away from the palace and didn’t she prefer the night to the day. His curiosity got ahead of him and he started walking in the direction of her flight path. He avoided the columns of soldiers marching throughout the city preferring a slightly quieter journey.

He felt something. At first it was ignorable but it steadily increased in strength eventually he recognized it. Dread filled him as hellish laughter filled his head. He grasped his head and squirmed on the ground resisting the urge to run.  He looked around feverishly trying to see where the noise was coming from.
Darkness clouded his eyes as he stared up at the sky and a fresh wave of fear washed over him. Everything was covered in blood splatter. Bodies surrounded him float in a tide of blood. Shrieks and roars filled his ears but he could see nothing. 
His vision slowly returned to normal but still he shuddered quickly leaving the street. He needed to get checked out by somepony who knew about magic. Hadn’t Princess Twilight told him that should he require some help with the demons he should go and ask her?  Yes she had. He made his way to the castle passing several soldiers that he didn’t recognize but apparently all had fought against Gorrog himself when they captured him in the early weeks of the invasion.  All had also fought against the small groups of demons that occasionally attacked the cities.
He walked up the stairs leading to the royal quarters. He paused at one of the doors. He had never visited one of princesses before and was surprised by the fact that none of the guards had stopped him. He assumed it had to do with his status as a national hero or they were confident that she could protect herself he hoped that the former was the reason. He knocked on the door.

“I came to speak with Princess Twilight Sparkle” replied Stahl his voice echoing around the hall. He looked around and saw several guards watching him. 

The lack of response troubled him so he knocked again. Now several of the guards had turned all the way around to face him. He opened the door quickly and to his horror saw the princess on her bed shuddering looking around. 

“Princess” he said putting force into his voice.

She turned to him taking several second to recognize him. “Captain what happened and why in Tartarus are you in my quarters.”

With several guards at the door and an angry princess in front of him he had to be careful here. “You told me that if something demon related happened to come and see you. I take it you had a similar encounter I did.” He said trying to be as diplomatic as he could.

The annoyance on her face vanished replaced by an apologetic smile. “oh I didn’t think you’d come so soon.” She was obviously flustered by his appearance.

He recounted the moments of horror to her describing the total fear that had swept over him along with the inescapable feeling of dread. The blood and bodies filling the streets. He told her everything. She listened to his story the look on her face growing more and more troubled. 

She stared at him and said “I felt it too but nowhere near as far bad as you.”

“Really, you didn’t have the visions and see the blood” he asked incredulous that she despite having been affected by it didn’t see what he had?

“No but I have a more important question why was yours more intense than mine. “her horn glowed for a few moments and a look of apprehension flashed across her face.

“I don’t know why, but thank you for your help princess.” He replied and first the first time he felt at ease since he had gone into combat.

She smiled and said “no, thank you Captain.”

“I have to get back to get my soldiers to defend our ponies from the demons but thank you for relieving me of that burden.”

He had left the room uncertain that his thoughts were safe from further demonic intrusion but as the day went on he found no further problems. Later when he asked about the demon intrusion only the unicorns in his company had any idea what he was talking about.  They all especially the ones that had been in platoon all reported varying degrees of what had happened to him. The earth ponies and Pegasi however had largely unaffected by it. He was troubled by this and reported it his commanding officer Commander Strong Wing who promised to send word to the high command about his findings. He went to his quarters pondering what could have sent out such a broad and overwhelming wave of terror across the entire armed forces. He especially noticed how a greater portion of it was concentrated on him and to a lesser degree his soldiers. Why us he asked himself why us…