//------------------------------// // Promises // Story: Deception on the Darkest Night // by _Medicshy //------------------------------// By the time Rose returned with Sainte Ampoule, the ship’s doctor, there was a lively crowd surrounding the gryphons’ cabin, forcing the two mares to push their way between Canterlot’s frightened elite. Inside the room things had gotten no less grim, the small pool of blood beneath him thankfully growing no wider thanks to some pressure applied by Ink Well’s hoof. It was morbid how the blood in the room caught the moonlight, gleaming like nothing was wrong. The blood on Steelwing’s wing blades even seemed to glow, as though energized by the light of the moon. As soon as the snow white unicorn arrived, she took over, her magic glowing a deep red as she checked on Steelwing’s condition and began to bandage him up. She thanked Ink Well, but he was already across the room, his right forehoof leaving bloody prints on the carpet as he walked to the window, looking out of it curiously. He looked down, then up, one glimpse of his face showing that his mind was racing. Rose watched the doctor work, remembering far too many nights of nursing Ink Well to health so soon after they had met… She found herself mentally noting Ampoule’s bandaging techniques, which was silly, really. She didn’t have the magic to pull them off. Sighing softly to herself, but glad to see the gryphon guard in capable hooves, Rose took a quick look around the room. It was set up exactly like their own one at the end of the hall, minus the balcony and with two cots set up for the guards. Gilda was still in the corner, her face grim and her eyes darting, searching for another threat like the one that got her partner, while Silverbeak seemed to be coming down from a state of shock. Rose had a feeling the room was going to be getting very loud in a moment, especially as she heard the Steward raising his voice at the other passengers outside, and decided to use what little quiet time remained to gain some insight into Ink Well’s mind. She joined him at the window, looking out at the night sky, the distant clouds gleaming in the moonlight suddenly feeling much less safe. She watched Ink Well, lost in thought, and decided to keep her questions simple. Sometimes, if he was really distracted, he would answer automatically. She was hoping this was such a time. “What’s on your mind, Inky?” Ink Well’s expression didn’t change as he looked from the window to his hoof and the blood slowly drying on it, but as he opened his mouth to speak, both of their attentions were drawn to the screeching across the room. “I demand that you land this ship now! I could have been killed, and one of my guards has been seriously wounded!” Silverbeak had murder in his eyes as he stared down the Steward, who was showing a surprising amount of calm considering the situation. “I am afraid we cannot do that, sir. The ship is currently over the ocean. It has been for most of the day, and, despite its appearance, it is not equipped for a water landing.” Behind him in the hall a murmur of worry was rumbling through the elite. There was a juicy, dangerous story going on in the cabin and none of them had a good view. It couldn’t be made out, but Rose could tell the tone from a mile away. It was the one thing she always hated about doing Canterlot business deals. The clients were such gossips… The Gryphon Ambassador, however, was deadly serious. “Then I demand you turn this ship around! I will not spend another instant here while there is an assassin running loose on the decks!” The Steward jumped at the accusation, motioning with a hoof for Silverbeak to lower his voice. “Please, sir, I would like to keep the others from being panicked, and-” Gilda spoke up from the corner. “Panicked? Why should they be panicked? It’s not like one of those dorks have to worry about some unicorn running in and stabbing them!” Ink Well’s ears perked at Gilda’s words, another piece of the puzzle revealing itself to him. Before the Steward could respond, Ink Well voiced his question. “Can you describe what happened?” Gilda looked at him, a heated fury barely restrained in her eyes as she realized it was Ink Well trying to help. “I don’t remember much, just waking up to the pop of magic going off in the corner, then it was all knives and hooves. We took the trained defensive stances, Silverbeak started calling for help, and right before you burst in there was a bolt of magic and Steelwing was stabbed. Then the attacker ran for the window and leaped out of the ship.” Ink Well raised an eyebrow. “And you say it was a unicorn? Was it a mare or a stallion?” “Please!” The Steward jumped between Gilda and Ink Well, glaring at Ink Well as he did. “Can we refrain from these questions until the morning? I would prefer we not raise any more alarm.” Gilda looked like she was about to throttle him. “Not raise alarm? Someone just tried to kill us! It’s a little late for alarms! Now get this ship to port and get Steelwing to a hospital!” The Steward turned around, looking at her placatingly. “I am sorry, miss, but that is not possible. We have already passed the furthest point of the trip and are turning back, but it will take just as long as it took to get here. Until then Sainte Ampoule will take very good care of him with the finest medical attention this ship can give.” “What was that about somepony trying to kill us?” The elderly voice of Greenback called from the hallway. Blueblood’s face appeared in the door. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that maniac turned against her ‘friend!’ You already saw what she tried to do to me in the dining room!” Gilda turned on him, her eyes burning hotter than any sun. “What did you just say, dweeb?!” She advanced on the prince, who began to cower back, but found he couldn’t move for the ponies behind him, and let out a shrill scream. “Gilda! Calm down! He doesn’t know what he’s saying!” Ink Well ran in front of the advancing gryphoness, his wings wide and his hooves pleading for her to stop. She walked right past him, eyes locked on the screaming Prince. The Prince didn’t stop his squeal until long after Gilda was held back by the combined efforts of Ink Well and Rose, and only once Fancy Pants tapped him on the shoulder and pointed out that he was safe. Not a second after Blueblood stopped screaming, a door slammed in the hallway. “Can’t you all silence that awful din? How is The Great and Powerful Trixie supposed to get her beauty rest with all this noise?” All eyes turned to face the blue unicorn with the disheveled silver mane, purple star-patterned sleeping mask sitting just above her horn. It took a moment for everypony to register that Trixie was in the hall. It took a couple more for them to notice that she had just exited from Princess Luna’s private cabin. It took significantly less time to jump to conclusions as to why. “Get her!” “Grab that miscreant for questioning!” “The assassin reveals herself!” “What?!” Trixie’s sleepy and stunned face only managed to get that far before she found herself captured in a silver bubble, the Steward calmly walking from the room and past the elite, who looked rather smug as they stared at the trapped magician, each feeling pride for their part in capturing her. Trixie’s yelling continued inside the bubble, but no noise could be heard. The Steward spoke to the bubble calmly. “Trixie, you are under arrest in connection to the attempted assassination of the Gryphon Ambassador. You will be detained in the brig for further questioning.” He then turned to the rest of the assembled crowd. “If you could all please return to your rooms, this matter has been solved. We should all try to get some rest and consider our options in the morning. Dr. Ampoule, please follow me.” The Steward took his prisoner to the stairs down, followed closely by the doctor, who held a sedated Steelwing on a red barrier of magic. Within moments all four of them were gone. “Right, well, you heard the Steward. If there is to be no further excitement, I shall return to my rest.” Fancy Pants announced as he nodded to the assembled ponies and gryphons. He then made his way to his room. Fleur de Lis followed reluctantly, looking back many times at where Trixie had been captured. The other members of the elite all went to bed as well, leaving Rose, Ink Well, Gilda, and Silverbeak alone at the scene of the attack. As Rose tried to calm down Gilda, who seemed rather fired up by the arrest, Ink Well turned to Silverbeak, a frown on his face. “Silverbeak, I would like to offer you our room for this evening. After the attack and seeing as we broke your door, I can’t imagine you’d feel secure in this room tonight.” Silverbeak looked him over guardedly, examining every last aspect of Ink Well before responding carefully, no hint of appreciation or warmth in his shaken voice. “I am afraid I have to decline, Ink Well. While it is most regrettable what happened in this room, we shall keep vigil here for our injured comrade. The assassin has been caught, and even if she escapes, we gryphons are a proud race of accomplished fighters. We will not be caught off guard twice.” A thought rolled through Ink Well’s head, the worry that a guard of their ‘proud race of accomplished fighters’ had left his blood all over the floor, but Ink Well kept it to himself, instead nodding respectfully. “Very well, Ambassador. We will leave you to it.” With that he walked to the door, letting Rose exit before him and closing the door behind him. He could hear the broken latch catch weakly in the doorframe. Hopefully that would be enough. Immediately he walked towards the stairs, nearly leaving Rose behind as he moved, his face locked in a determined scowl. However, by the time he reached the deck she had caught up, and she knew that look on his face better than she should have. “Trixie wasn’t the assassin, was she?” Ink Well didn’t even turn around, just snorting as he walked towards the railing. “Of course not. For one, she’s far too showy and self-centered to make an effective stealthy killer. Also, she was legitimately surprised by the group outside. She didn’t even try to run, which the guilty party would have.” He looked over the edge of the railing down the siding of the ship, then far, far below to the ocean waves. The dark water rippled gently, the full moon reflecting brilliantly off of it, sitting just as home in its reflection as in the sky. Ink Well shook his head. It may shine like a mirror, but it would be us being shattered if we fell from this height. He then looked up at the balloon, noticing nothing at all out of place about it. When he looked down, he saw Rose looking slightly confused, obviously wondering what he was looking for. “The last reason that Trixie can’t have been the assassin is this: They flew out of the room.” Rose nodded her head in understanding. “That’s why you were looking out the window…” A moment later her brow furrowed in confusion. “But… Gilda said they appeared in a pop of magic.” Ink Well nodded. “That’s what worries me. I know when I entered that I saw a form jumping out the window. This leaves us with two options: either the assassin killed themselves when their plan failed, or there were actually two assassins, a unicorn to get them in and a pegasus to do the deed. I can’t imagine it’s the first, especially since I saw the form flying up, so it has to be the second. But then the unicorn could be anyone, and the pegasus could be any member of the ship’s crew…” He grew quiet, looking around the ship’s deck for any clue here. There were none, not even a crew member to question. Maybe the captain or the co-captain, whichever was on duty, but even that was starting to seem a slim chance. Rose could see the restlessness building up in her husband’s mind, deciding to cut it off before it started by grabbing him in a hug. “Inky, I know that you’re worried, the clever pony you are, that you have to focus on this right now. I understand that. But fretting through the night isn’t going to help anypony.” She released him after that, placing her hoof on his as she continued her thought. “The rest of the passengers have gone to bed, and what crew is on duty is bound to be busy right now. Trixie can survive a night in whatever holding cell they have for her. Working yourself into a frenzy will just make the details fuzzy. Sleep on it, come to it in the morning, you’ll have it solved in no time.” Ink Well looked almost confused at her words, but after a few silent seconds of looking into her eyes, he slowly smiled, nodding. “You’re right. I’ll just make a mistake if I act before I know the facts. We might not have the largest time frame, but whoever did this will be found as long as we think coolly and logically.” Rose smiled back. “There we go. Now, let’s get to bed. And, for safety’s sake, let’s keep the windows closed and the balcony locked.” Ink Well chuckled nervously as the two started back below deck. “Agreed. It won’t be a good night’s sleep tonight without a little caution.” With that thought firmly in both of their minds they walked silently back to their room, locking their door behind them. Morning was unusually usual on the ship. Breakfast was served, the elite trotted about like nothing happened, even the gryphons were out in show, though they looked the worse for wear. Gilda had a couple of bandages on her, while her body was on full alert, eyes darting at even the slightest noise. Only the bags under her and Silverbeak’s eyes showed the true strain of the night before. And yet, with all the excitement and the now missing entertainment, nopony seemed to… well, care. The unicorns were on their own, the crew kept on working its usual hours… and as Ink Well yawned he wasn't going to let that continue. Rose and he followed the routine, joining Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis for breakfast with the normal pleasantries, waiting for the moment to steer the conversation the direction he wanted it to go. He didn’t have to wait long. “Dreadful mess what happened last night, hmm? Who would have ever guessed that there was an assassin in the staff? Goes to show you don’t know who you can trust, eh?” Fancy Pants held a knife in his hoof, moving the sharp blade carefully over the grapefruit he held in his other hoof. “No, you really don’t,” Ink Well said, keeping his eyes on the other couple’s face. “Though, I suppose it’s lucky I was walking by his room when I was. A moment later and who knows what could have happened.” “Zat would have been dreadful!” said Fleur, carefully wiping the milk off of her upper lip. “I am so glad zat zey are safe.” Ink Well shook his head solemnly. “They really are nice people, when you sit and chat with them. Though I think you’d have to be a little more careful to do it now.” He shrugged, leaning against the table to examine his food. “So, I’m assuming all of the noise what what brought the two of you out of your room, right?” Fleur nodded. “Yes. Eet was ze sound of ze door opening and ze screeching zat got me up. I got out of bed and opened ze door, and by zen our heroeen of ze evening had already ran for ze doctor.” She smiled warmly at Rose, though something occurred to her and her delicate features started to crease. “Alzough I guess Fancy must have heard eet before me. He was already up.” “Oh? Did you hear more of the struggle, Fancy Pants? I suppose it would make sense, you being in the room across.” Ink Well’s curiosity was friendly, but as Rose glanced over, interest peaked by his line of questioning, she saw the analysis going on in his tired eyes. He was in reporter mode, though for once he was covering it fairly well. However, Fancy Pants seemed to notice his gaze, looking slightly shaken by the question. “If you must know, I had to get up to relieve myself in the cabin restroom. The timing was coincidental. When the door was kicked open, I came out to see the matter myself, and- Aaah!” Suddenly Fancy Pants pulled his arm up to his lips, dropping the knife to the table in the process. Red gleamed on the tip, a few drops of blood dripping down to stain the tablecloth from the injured stallion’s hoof, more staining his mouth as he pulled it away. “Ah! Dear me, that is deep. Rose! Would you be so kind as to show me to the infirmary?” Rose got up quickly, escorting Fancy and his worried wife from the room and leading them to the infirmary. When they were gone, the Steward came by, having heard the commotion but too slow to help. Nevertheless, he removed the stained cloth, causing Ink Well to scramble to save his food. When the waiter was gone, Ink Well sighed, needing a new subject to question. Picking up his oatmeal bowl, Ink Well made his way over to where Prince Blueblood sat, placing it down across from him as though nothing had happened. Unfortunately, the Prince wasn’t in the same mindset. “Oh, please, commoner, don’t you even think about sitting with me. Abandoning me last night for the gryphons and tricking me the night before, do you really think you’re welcome here?” Ink Well huffed indignantly. “Look, it’s not my fault my conversation partner injured himself at the table. I was going to try to bury the hatchet, but I see you’d rather see it stuck in my face.” “Ugh, such vulgar use of language. No wonder you had to make such a commotion last night. I was having a pleasant dream until you went and burst that door in.” The Prince looked Ink Well up and down, then scoffed. “Though I’m sure you know nothing about beauty sleep.” Ink Well’s eyes narrowed, a deep breath the only thing stopping projectile oatmeal. Instead he just picked his bowl back up. “Fine. I’ll go somewhere else.” He was debating trying to chat up Diamond and Greenback when he saw both of them leave, so he just finished his meal, waiting for the Steward to return with a fresh tablecloth to ask him a question. “Excuse me, sir. If you would just move for a moment I can cover the table and take your bowl for you, if you wish.” Ink Well complied, picking up the bowl as the Silver Bell worked. “So, Silver Bell, can I ask what you’re doing about the assassination attempt?” The unicorn visibly stiffened, but returned to work without more than a moment’s pause. “The assassin has been caught. I see the need for no more worry on our end. And, please, refer to me as the Steward.” Ink Well frowned inwardly, never knowing any working class member to prefer their title to their name. Shoeshine would have had a cow… Wait, didn’t she get married recently? I will have to catch up to her when this is done. “Alright, but humor me, Steward. If I wished to ask the crew members a few questions, find out how Trixie did it, where would I go to do that?” The Steward sighed. “Since I see you have no intention of letting things lie, I will allow you access to the crew bunks on the bottom level. But be careful! Not only is that level primarily for staff only, but going into the wrong room could have you near some potentially dangerous machinery. Do be careful. We don’t need any more injuries on this trip.” Ink Well rolled his eyes, but understood the Steward’s plight. “I will do my level best. One last question: Where were you just before the attack?” The Steward turned, a coldness in his eyes and his face very carefully neutral. “I was in here setting up for this morning, though I did stop by the kitchen multiple times. Any of the staff awake at the time can confirm this.” With an insistent glow of his magic the bowl was firmly taken out of Ink Well’s grip. “Good day to you, sir.” Ink Well watched him go, sighing inwardly. “Well, you certainly aren’t making many friends on this boat, Ink Well. Guess you might as well pester yourself a few more enemies.” With that he went to the stairs, heading into the lower deck. Fancy Pants, his arm bandaged carefully, and Fleur de Lis, worried for her husband, walked out of the medical bay, leaving Rose with Ampoule and the unconscious Steelwing. He hadn't hardly moved since the attack the night before, though he was breathing fine and would hopefully make a full recovery. Rose looked over him sadly, tears welling in her eyes for a moment as she imagined Ink Well in his place. He'd been there before... She shook her head, unwilling to keep that picture in her mind any longer. She was here for him this time. She wouldn't let him go rushing off on his own like that. For once she was able to help him with whatever mystery he was involved in, and she wouldn't let it come to that. As Rose walked into the hall, wiping a tear from her eye, she heard the very pony she'd been crying about. “Rosy, are you alright? Is something the matter?” Ink Well walked up to her, hugging her gently as soon as he saw her. She shook her head, returning the hug gratefully. “No, Inky, I'm fine. It's just hard seeing anyone as injured as Steelwing. We need to figure out who did it before anyone else is hurt.” Ink Well maintained the hug for a few moments, letting Rose know he was there for her, before pulling back. Unfortunately, where his smile that told her everything would be alright normally sat there was a worried frown. “We'll figure this out. Don't you worry. In fact... I need you to talk to the gryphons and the accused and get as much information from them as you can.” He shrugged. “I seem to be making enemies with my questions, and what they know is too important for that. Also, if you could talk to Greenback and Diamond Wishes, find out what they were up to right before it happened.” “Alright,” said Rose, smiling some reassurance at him. “You can count on me, dear.” Ink Well's smile appeared at that. “I always can.” He then leaned forward, kissing her quickly. “Good luck. I'll meet up with you in a bit.” With that he went into the crew quarters, leaving Rose to figure out the best order for things. She did know where Trixie was being held, as she had walked past it while helping Fancy Pants, but she figured it was best to get as much information as she could first, and most of that could be gleaned from the remaining gryphons. Plan set, Rose went up to the passenger cabins, unsurprised to find the gryphon ambassador and his guard holed up in their room. Gryphon pride at its finest. She knocked calmly on the door, about to announce herself when the door shot open, razor-sharp talons closing around her neck and steel-lined wings spreading for an attack. She struggled for a moment, eyes open in horror and hooves out in a sign of surrender, before the gryphoness holding her finally recognized her. Gilda's claws removed themselves from Rose's throat, her wings folding down. “Sorry about that, Rose. I'm just a little jumpy.” Behind her Silverbeak shook his head. “Gilda, you are lucky that it is one of our friends on the other side of that door. The others would not have been so forgiving of your actions.” With that he gently brushed his guard aside, offering the room to Rose. “Please, come in. I hope you are well.” Rose nodded her head, running a hoof over her neck to make sure she wasn't bleeding. “I'm fine. Just a little startled.” She eyed the room, noting that the door was still broken and the blood stain hadn't been removed. Is this a fault of Silver Bell, or Silverbeak? She let the thought slip away as she looked at the ambassador once more. “However, I am afraid my visit isn't purely for pleasure. I was hoping to ask a few questions about last night, if you don't mind.” Silverbeak raised an eyebrow. “Satiating your husband's curiosity? Because I can assure you, we are more than capable of defending ourselves. Nothing like last night will happen again on our watch.” Rose could see the guarded way he held himself, as well as hear the words unsaid in his answer. His stubborn nature was annoying, but she knew how to talk with stubborn ponies. She would just have to hope it crossed species. “I am here for my own curiosity as well. I don't wish to see anyone, gryphon or pony, hurt like Steelwing is. Knowing how the assassin attacked will help make sure it doesn't happen again on any watch.” Silverbeak appraised her there, a look she'd seen more often on herself than the perfume she'd sold in Canterlot. She was annoyingly used to it, and knew not to back down. Her character would win out in the end, a fact confirmed by his eventual nod. “Very well. Gilda! Tell our guest what you saw. I am not ashamed to admit that I was resting when the attack came, but she saw everything.” Rose turned, seeing a slightly hunted look in Gilda's eye. She walked over, placing a gentle hoof on Gilda's claw. “Please, any little bit helps. Just tell me what you remember.” The hidden look of fear within her eyes faded with Rose's gesture, though Gilda quickly looked away, focusing on the bloodstain as she said what happened. “There was a tiny pop, like air being pushed away, and Steelwing was the first to spot the target. It was a scrawny unicorn, all glowing horn and whirling blades. But the coward hid in the dark, so I couldn't get a good look at them.” Gilda sighed. “Steelwing told me to defend Silverbeak, which I did, blocking whatever flew our way while Steelwing fought the punk... They were like a wall of knives, every attack met with a blade shooting around them. And then I blocked one, and it was caught in the magic, and shot into Steelwing's back... He screeched, and the next one went into his chest. The bastard was going for a finishing blow when you burst open the door, and then Ink Well ran to the window, so I guess they left that way.” Rose shuddered at the story, once due to the explanation of the attack, and again thanks to the wall of knives. She knew more than she cared to admit on that fighting style... Her and Ink Well had only barely managed to stop it, and that hadn't even taken down the unicorn using it. She was not looking forward to a repeat of that battle. However, there would be one useful piece of information. “What color was the magic being used?” Gilda had to think for a long while before she answered. “Green. The glow was totally green, but it was really hard to see.” Rose nodded, walking over to the gryphoness. “Thank you. This is going to help a lot.” And then, seeing Gilda still staring at the blood stain, Rose didn't even think as she wrapped her hooves around the larger gryphoness in a motherly hug. Gilda leaned into it for just a moment, her lion tail wrapping around Rose, before she suddenly stiffened and jumped away, eying Rose suspiciously. “Woah! Woah! I don't care what mushy stuff you think you're doing, but I don't need that. You got what you want, so get going.” Rose wasn't too surprised when Gilda jumped away, and she gave the gryphoness a warn smile anyway. “Of course. Sorry to presume. Have a good day.” She turned around, nodding to Silverbeak. “Both of you.” Silverbeak saw her to the door, holding it open for her. “And you as well, Rose. May Ink Well and your search go well, and the wind be beneath your wings.” There was a touch of a smile on his face as he closed the door, and once more Rose found herself alone in a hall. However, this time she knew precisely who to look for. There is only one guest on this boat that has green magic, though I can hardly believe it's him. Still, the cover made sense. If you were going to be an assassin, then you'd want the most bumbling, least suspicious cover you could possibly have. Rose walked out onto the main deck, seeing precisely the pony she was looking for laying on a deck chair. “Excuse me, Mr. Greenback! May I have a word with you?” As she walked towards him, seeing Diamond Wishes hovering over him, a thought occurred. Wait... there might be a unicorn with green magic on the crew... no conclusions until I talk to Ink Well. Diamond Wishes intercepted Rose, looking the earth pony up and down. “Yes? What is it?” Ignoring the rudeness of being stopped like this, Rose just smiled. “I was hoping I could chat with your husband, and yourself, if you are available.” Diamond huffed, fixing her overdone mane with a hoof. “Of course I am available. There is dreadfully little to do on this 'pleasure' cruise once we locked that delightful sorceress up. But you must be quiet. Greenback is asleep, and any rest is bliss.” Ah. Hiding your contempt well, I see. “It was a terrible business that happened last night. It must have really ruined his sleeping pattern.” Diamond fixed her tiara with a glow of magic, giving Rose a glare that could cut through stone. “Are you kidding? He slept like a rock through almost all of it. But he got up when I did. All that noise from the gryphons really hurt my beauty sleep. I'm surprised I didn't get bags under my eyes after that.” Rose kept an even temper, though she had a lot to say on Diamond's manner just from their short time together already. “Yes. How terribly inconsiderate of the gryphons to be brutally attacked in the middle of the night.” “They should have paid more attention. At least give us until morning to worry about them.” She pulled out a makeup compact, checking herself in the mirror, which was good because it meant she missed the incredulous look Rose gave her. “Anyway, it's all taken care of now at least. We can get back to the important things.” Rose had found that she couldn't stand the presence of this mare a moment longer, so for that last statement she could actually agree. “So, just to be sure, you and Greenback were both in your room before the attack, correct? Sleeping soundly?” An aged tenor chuckle came from the chair. “Why yes! After the activities beforehoof, one could hardly expect an old stallion like me to do much but sleep soundly!” Greenback looked up from the lawn chair, smiling lecherously as he looked through Diamond's legs to meet Rose's eyes. “I've done a lot of work, Mrs. Roseluck, I try to relax as hard as I can on my few days off. Wishes! Be a doll and see if the bartender can't get me a frou-frou umbrella drink, could you?” Diamond Wishes had an unamused look on her face as she headed off towards the doors inside, and Greenback watched her sway her way there. When she was gone, he looked at Rose, his dirty smile not fading in the least. “She is a complete pain in the flank, and she only wants my money, but the paltry agreement I made in the pre-nup is well worth watching her go.” He cackled to himself. “Got to enjoy the later years! Or what was the point of all that hard work?” Rose, not sure how to say anything without being offensive and sure she should be feeling more offended than she was, just contemplated the stallion silently as he did the same. After a moment he stretched before getting up and facing her as an equal. “Alright, alright. Business is business. Now, Mrs. Roseluck, what was it you wanted to ask me?” “Just what you were doing last night, but I believe you answered that question.” Greenback chuckled again. “Yes, well, what can I say? At this point I could have a bunch of secrets, or I could make everypony's life simpler by keeping things obvious. I get enough complexity with contracts and business deals. You should see some of the wording in those letters. Speaking of which...” He looked Rose straight in the eye. “You're the lovely mare I'm getting that Rose Ink stuff from, right? Rosewater shop, in Ponyville?” Rose raised an eyebrow, her small scented ink line the last thing on her mind. “Yes, that's mine. Though I didn't realize you were ordering, if I'm honest.” Greenback waved her last line away with a dismissing hoof. “'Course not! I got it for the admin offices at the bank, not for just myself. The soothing scent in the ink keeps business partners calm, it really helps with negotiations. I don't remember which noble it was that turned me on to the stuff, but I have to thank you for it. And, if I may ask, do you have a card? I can smell the scent you're wearing, and it's much nicer than whatever my wife drenches herself with.” Rose may not have been ready to talk about her products when she'd come to talk to this pony, but that didn't mean she wasn't prepared to sell them. She reached into her mane, pulling out the spare card she kept tucked in there for just such an emergency. “Here you are.” Greenback took the card in his green magic, tucking it into his jacket pocket. “Thank you kindly. I'll be in touch.” He gave her a friendly smile, one of the few genuine ones she'd gotten from any of the nobles on the trip, and it made her thoughts stutter. This kind stallion can't possibly be a killer. There's something I'm missing. “I look forward to-” “Doll! There you are! I was starting to wonder.” Greenback's attention was completely off of Rose's appreciative response as he grabbed the drink from his wife's magic and flopped back on the chair. “Now come over here, sit on my lap, and enjoy the view. These clouds aren't going to view themselves.” Not sure if he's an assassin, but he's definitely not kind. Don't know what I was thinking. Rose left the couple on their chair, cuddling and giggling like creepy old school ponies as she went below the decks. “You must believe Trixie when she tells you she is innocent! It is no right of yours to accuse her in such a manner!” Trixie pounded against the small crew cabin she'd been locked into, the closest thing they had to a brig below the ship. It was a small consolation to her that she was at least forcing the doctor to sleep the the medical bay. At least a tiny bit of discomfort would be felt by somepony else. Still, she'd been going on and off yelling for most of the morning, both the early dark hours and, after finishing her rest and being served a tiny, tasteless breakfast, the remainder of the morning. It was now starting to get into the afternoon, so far as she could tell from her window, and still nopony had come to save her! “The Great and Powerful Trixie demands you open this door right now! She has a show to perform!” The blue mare kicked against the door frame angrily, then sat back down on the bed. She was more than tired of this, and the chain around her hoof wasn't helping things. She wasn't even sure where they had gotten a shackle, but it wasn't from her kit, or she would have had the false pin out in no time. Maybe if she conjured enough fireworks she could set fire to her cell... Then they'd have to let Trixie out! Then she could do her show and win them over again! “It's not a very good show, though your tricks have gotten better since Ponyville.” Trixie turned to the door, poised with her rapier wit to retort, but the tip was dulled by amazement when she realized the door was open. “Trixie thanks you, kind servant! Now, out of her way!” Trixie ran past the cream colored earth pony mare, making a b-line for the opening, only for the chain to catch her and bring her rather unceremoniously onto her back. The other mare just shook her head as she watched, closing the door behind her. “You aren't free, Trixie, and I am not a servant. I am a passenger on this ship, and I wish to ask you a few questions.” The red and pink maned mare had the nerve to walk past Trixie and sit on the bed calmly, a slight smile on her face, as though she found it amusing! Trixie would not stand for this! “The Great and Powerful Trixie demands your respect!” She said, standing for this next line. “If she were truly accused of the crimes suggested, she could have killed you like that!” A spark traveled from her horn, popping threateningly before fading away. The other mare's smile left her. “If I thought you'd done it, I wouldn't be here to ask you questions! You're lucky I'm not asking you to pay me back for the roof of my shop.” Her glare told Trixie two things: that she wasn't going to take any more nonsense, and that she knew Trixie was not the mare she claimed to be, both of which put the lid on Trixie's ego, causing the silver maned illusionist to sit calmly on the floor. Once Trixie was settled, the other mare cleared her throat, smiling. “My name is Rose. My husband is Ink Well, and neither of us think you are guilty.” “Then convince them to let Trixie go! She had nothing to do with the assassination of that eagle!” “Gryphon,” Rose corrected, a hint of annoyance in her tone. “And I was about to say that if you can account for where you were last night, I might be able to convince the rest about this. Now, what were you doing in Princess Luna's suite?” “Trixie was...” Trixie didn't have shame, not after all of her shows, not after a lifetime of lies, and not after she had that heart to heart with Sparkle those years ago. She did, however, have a quiet, personal voice she rarely used. It came out now. “I was in there because I wanted some comfortable sleep and the crew quarters are far too loud. Besides, I knew it was going unused, and the bed is a dream to sleep on.” Rose seemed to have expected this, though as she heard Trixie speak, her face grew softer and friendlier. “Trixie, could you please recount everything you remember from last night? Any detail could be important.” Trixie nodded, thinking back to the night before. “Well... the show's reception was dampened from the evening before, so I finished my act a little early. I was in a foul mood, so I was going to use the time I knew that the guests were eating to go out on the deck and get some fresh air, but as I passed I saw the hall, and the great doors of the Princess's chambers... I knew it would be my one chance, so I ducked inside, making sure nopony saw me, and... that was that. I washed, I stood on the balcony she had built into the back, I watched the clouds roll by, I grew bored, and I went to sleep. I didn't even have an exit plan for the next morning, I just... I wanted to be pampered, for once, like I used to be... Before Ponyville...” Trixie sighed. Sure, life had only gone up since that one mistake so long ago, but by the same coin, it had been work. Performance after performance, from silly little theaters to the mansions of nobles, and yet each night she still returned to her modest apartment, or whatever was provided when she wasn't in Manehattan, and that was it. Her Showmare life had been so much... better when she was a traveling hero. Sure, it was in a wagon, but with all the gifts she'd gotten, that wagon was nice... She missed it almost every day... Trixie realized she had been staring off at the floorboards for a while and immediately brought her eyes to meet Rose's. “And that is all. I was sleeping soundly until I heard the crash of the door opening and the screeching of those eagl-err gryphons, and then with the racket in the hall... I couldn't control myself.” She massaged one hoof into the wood before her. “Trixie is grumpy when she is interrupted from her rest.” Rose looked at Trixie expectantly, but the show mare shook her head. “That's everything, I swear. The rest of the night was the bubble ride here and yelling at the door.” After a few more moments of inspection, Rose nodded. “I believe you. Unfortunately, your alibi isn't much to go with, but I'll see what I can do. Thank you for this, Trixie. Hopefully you'll be out of this room by morning.” Trixie stood up, bowing her head in thanks. “Any escape would be appreciated, Rose. As much as Trixie wishes, she can't teleport from her chains in here, no matter how much amazing she is on stage.” Rose smiled, walking towards the door, though she paused there for one last question. “Out of curiosity, knives were used in the attempt. They aren't from your performance, are they?” Trixie shook her head. “I can't imagine they would be. Trixie's knives are dull. It's a fair bit of illusion to make them appear on the spinning board like that, but I don't even think I could throw a knife like that if my life depended on it.” Rose nodded. “Just curious. Sit tight, try to relax, you'll be free soon.” With that Rose exited the cell, closing the door and leaving Trixie to pass the time. She was so very bad at that part. “If somepony touched Trixie's knives...” Another spark shot from Trixie's horn, threatening the empty room. “Like that!” she announced triumphantly. But she was performing for an audience of one. Ink Well walked out of the crew quarters rather annoyed. He had spent all day talking to pony after pony, and all he'd come up with was that the entire crew had very solid alibis. Or slept very hard... it was almost annoying. Still, his search hopefully wouldn't prove fruitless. There was still the co-captain to talk to, who was currently setting up to fly for the night and didn't want to be disturbed, but claimed he wouldn't mind company in the wheelhouse. Everypony else was a bust. As he neared the stairs to the floors above, a door opened behind him, and turning he found a pleasant surprise. “Rose! There you are! I hope your search has gone better than mine.” Rose smiled as she trotted over to him, a look of pleased excitement on her face. “Oh, yes it did! I found out from Gilda that the pony that attacked them was definitely a unicorn, and it used green magic. The only one I ran into that fits that description is Greenback. It has to be him, unless there's one on the crew that fits it.” Ink Well shook his head. “No, most of the ponies working behind the scenes are pegasi and earth ponies, and the ones that aren't... well, I didn't test magic color, but they all had good alibis. The problem is... I know I saw the attacker fly out of that room.” He took a few steps, tilting his head in thought. “Though... I did just see them diving out the window. There might have been a rope out there, or a quick spell to hide against the ship...” It was more than possible. Twilight probably had a host of spells that could do something like that. It wouldn't need the Element of Magic herself to learn just one. “However, there are still a few ponies I'd like to talk to before we jump to conclusions. And it must be getting late. We can keep an eye and ear out at dinner, see if we missed anything.” Ink Well's attention was caught by a sky blue mare walking into a door further down the hall. “I knew I was missing somepony.” Heading to the door in question, Rose following closely behind, Ink Well opened it to find a dim engine room, magic charged crystals glowing and rotating rapidly, connecting to a series of gears and drives that powered the massive propellers outside. The only light in the room came from the crystals themselves, making the tight quarters a bit tricky to traverse, but tucked away in the back sat the mare in question, carefully looking over the gears with on oil can in her hoof. Ink Well called to her over the din of the gears. “Morning Dew! Do you have a moment?” Immediately he could tell that bothering her while working wasn't the best idea, as she started at his voice, her hoof getting a bit too close to the gear. Luckily, the one she was working on was rather small, so it was only a quick pinch and a small trickle of blood for the consequence. Of course, that didn't help her mood as she quickly wrapped her hoof with a kerchief. “Ink Well! What do you think you're doing down here? Guests aren't allowed on this deck at all, let alone in the engine room!” She held up her injured hoof, glaring at the couple in her work space. “It's dangerous!” Ink Well rubbed the back of his mane nervously. “I didn't mean anything by it. I was given permission by Silver Bell to be here, and was hoping to ask you a few questions about last night.” Dew's glare held for a few moments, passing over Rose as well, who had the courtesy to shy back and mouth an apology. Then she let out a sigh, looking down at the bloody kerchief, the dark red almost seeming to glow in the light of the crystal. “Well, I know it wasn't intentional, and luckily my shift is done after this, so you have my attention until we reach the doctor.” She started out on three limbs, keeping the forth held in front of her as she tottered. “Hop to it! It's not bleeding any slower!” Rose and Ink Well both backed out of the room quickly, Ink Well even offering to help balance Dew once they got outside, though she declined. “That's alright. It's nothing major, and I'm tougher than I look. Have to be to be a ship engineer. Now what were you curious about?” Ink Well cleared his throat, making sure not to be too far away in case Dew lost balance while they moved toward the infirmary. “Where were you last night after dinner?” “Last night? I was in my bunk. I finished up my rounds while dinner was happening, then ate and went to sleep like normal.” After a second she stopped, looking at Ink Well quizzically. “This doesn't have to do with that magician they've got locked in Ampoule's room, does it?” Ink Well looked curious, but Rose picked up from there, having been the one to talk to Trixie. “Actually, it does. When she came out of the Princess's chambers, she was accused of an attempted assassination of the Gryphon Ambassador. We're trying to find out who actually did it, as well as prove Trixie's innocence.” Dew's eyes widened in surprise. “An assassination? On the Princess's ship? That pony's got guts...” She then started walking again, the rag over her hoof getting deeply soaked when they stalled. “No idea anything like that had happened, but I don't think it was her. When I found her in there she was asleep, and I let her be.” Ink Well put a hoof to Dew's chest. “Wait, you knew she was in there and didn't do anything about it?” Dew just looked puzzled. “No. Why would I? Silver Bell's a snob, and the room wasn't being used anyway. If anything, I was just jealous I hadn't thought of it first.” Ink Well lowered his hoof, letting the engineer keep going. “Anyway, I can't promise you about later, but when I saw her she was snoring louder than the Friendship Express, and judging by the drool on the pillow, she wasn't planning on moving any time soon.” She turned into the infirmary doorway, seeing the bloodied and bandaged gryphon on one of the tables. “Yikes, you weren't kidding about an attack...” Rose shook her head. “No, but I sorely wish we were.” She looked to the doctor, who seemed to share Rose's feelings on the matter, though Ampoule's face hardened moments later as she saw the new injury. She just motioned for Dew to come in and she'd take care of the rest. Once Dew was settled, Ink Well gave her a friendly smile. “Thank you for your time, and sorry about the distraction. Have a good evening.” Morning Dew nodded. “You two too. And good luck with your mystery here.” Neither of the couple responded to that, but both were thinking the same thing. We're going to need it. By the time the two got back to the upper decks dinner was being called, this one with no show. The stage was dark, the room better lit, and the food and conversation was going to be the main entertainment. And, while everyone was a little more on edge from the night before, a pattern could be picked out of the conversations. “To think that such a thing could happen on Princess Luna's boat... It shows a terrible lack of forethought on her part.” Fancy Pants moved delicately with his injured hoof, much care being taken as he worked his utensils over his food. “Imagine if she were actually given power equal to Princess Celestia...” Diamond wishes rolled her eyes. “A pleasure cruise to build up support? And yet she only invites three noble families and one entertainer? What was she thinking?” Greenback lifted his food to his mouth, chewing, but not swallowing, before he talked. “I hate to say it, but you're right. Should have at least had some back up entertainment. The ride I got from the French bankers was much more entertaining. Much bigger ship too.” Even Prince Blueblood had something to say on the subject. “This ship doesn't even show off the power and pride of Equestria. Sure, it's got class for a private affair, but my aunt Celestia could float the Grand Galloping Gala with little effort... It might be nice too. I should ask her to propose that to the budgeting committee...” Fancy sighed, adjusting his monocle. “Bought with her own coffers... It is nice, I'll grant her that, but if this was her best idea I'm afraid I don't know where her mind is.” As he spoke, Fleur's carefully neutral face slowly grew tighter, her glances heading his way more and more. “And allying with the Gryphons, of all things! As if they would truly have the pull in Equestrian society. Yes, yes, her work after the collapsing of the weather factory was rather altruistic, but her stalling the plans for a new one really does her no credit.” This was the point at which Rose excused herself from the table, taking her food with her as she traveled across the room and joined her husband and the gryphons. Ink Well had left after the third time he was shot down trying to defend Luna against the Canterlot politics, and neither of the gryphons wanted anything to do with that bunch of unicorns. Only two had even tried to greet them, and one of them was Blueblood... “Politics.” Ink Well spat out the word like a bit of rotten hay. “No wonder the Princess sunk this low. She just raises the moon every night, nothing special. Only trying to bridge a gap with another nation. No, that deserves no respect at all. Not friendly enough with some pompous old money in Canterlot...” Silverbeak sighed into his food. “Ink Well, you speak much too plainly, and there are always people listening.” He looked over at the table of unicorns, his face remaining neutral. “Their fears are not unfounded, and I admit that I am not impressed by the lack of guard on this ship. But it was naivety on all our parts to think something like this would not happen. Many years may have passed between our nations, but some bruises, while invisible on the surface, take ages to heal beneath the skin.” Ink Well's determination and bitterness didn't fade. “Ambassador, I promise we will find out who it was that attacked you before we land tomorrow evening. What happened to Steelwing is not the Equestrian way. The Princess would not have stood for it, and as both her proxy and my own pony, neither will I.” Silverbeak chuckled. “Ink Well! Please, your theatrics are unfounded. I may still not be impressed by the guard on this ship, but I am more than impressed with the company your princess chooses to keep. I am sure there are many ponies she could have invited that would still be sitting at that table over there. There is only one who would join me here. Justice will come, in time, but the meeting promised your princess has not been effected.” “Thank you, Ambassador, but there are some things I just can't abide. Somepony is hiding something big, and I am going to find out what.” Ink Well looked over at the other table, trying to dissect the ponies there with his eyes, but was distracted by a huff coming from the table's fourth member. “Tough words from a writer...” “Gilda, hold your tongue. You do remember who you're talking about, right?” The intense look Silverbeak gave Gilda silenced her, wiping her cynicism from her beak. He then smiled at Ink Well. “We chose our professions, but they do not define us. What was that saying...? Ah, right. 'One source, endless possibilities.'” Both Ink Well's and Rose's astonished looks were met with a soft smile. “It was something I heard from some of the gryphlets as they were returned to our country. Quite the inspiring message, don't you think? Some in our country even think them words to live by.” Ink Well's smile widened as the Ambassador spoke, but it was Rose that actually responded. “Some of the most noble I've ever heard.” She nuzzled Ink Well gently as she spoke, smiling support up at his beaming face for all he'd accomplished out there. He just smiled back, placing a wing around her as the four continued to eat. When dinner finished, Rose and Ink Well made their way up towards the deck, Rose letting out a rather long yawn as the day got to her. As they reached the crew quarters, Ink Well stopped her. “Rosy, I want you to get some sleep. I'll go talk to the co-captain and watch the deck for Greenback.” Rose shook her head. “No, Inky. We're in this together. You can't just send me off because of a little yawn.” “It's not the little yawn. It's tactics.” He turned to face her, smiling as he did. “I've always been a night owl, staying up late isn't an issue, but eventually I'm going to need to get some rest. Of the two of us, you're much more suited to being woken up early and actually functioning. After a few hours, I'll come wake you up and we can swap places, deal?” Rose frowned, but she saw the logic behind what he was saying. “Oh... alright. But promise me you won't go off on your own and get hurt while I'm sleeping, okay?” Ink Well kissed her gently on the nose. “I promise. When I go rushing off to get hurt, you'll be right there with me.” He chuckled as she punched him on the shoulder, then they hugged one more time. “Be safe. I'll see you soon.” Rose kissed Ink Well's cheek, then went down the hallway, opening the door to their room just as he started up the stairs. She wanted to go with him, but it was more important to make sure they caught Greenback in the act. After nearly half an hour rolling around in an empty bed, Rose finally managed to get some sleep. Rose's restless sleep was interrupted by the sound of hooves in the hall by the door, stopping at it for just a moment, as if hesitating. She rolled off of the bed, not feeling particularly rested from her light sleep, and went to the door, opening it quietly. On the other side stood Ink Well, looking slightly surprised to see her there. “Oh... hello Rose.” Rose frowned at him. “Hello, Ink Well. Is it time for my patrol?” Ink Well shook his head, though the momentary confusion in his eyes didn't pass unnoticed. “No, didn't mean to wake you. Just patrolling a bit on my own.” He rubbed his hoof on his leg, a quick smile crossing his face. “Got to keep watch for that assassin.” He seemed a little nervous, but then, she would have been too if she was in his shoes. “Alright. Well, don't go for too long. I'm here to relieve you when you need me.” Ink Well just nodded, starting off down the hall, which left Rose slightly disappointed. She was hoping for a hug or something. “Goodnight, Inky.” Ink Well stopped, looking towards her and smiling. “Goodnight, Rose.” Rose closed the door to her room, wondering what could have gotten her husband so on edge as she walked back towards the bed. She'd never seen him that kind of nervous... not even as she'd walked up the aisle at the wedding. He had always been calm, even when beneath the surface he was terrified... This must really have been bad. She walked to the bed, sitting down on it and starting to get comfortable, but her mind couldn't stop focusing on Ink Well's face just now. The hint of fear in his eyes, the way he hadn't hugged her, even the nervous ticks weren't ones she'd seen... Even if he hadn't told her, she knew him more than well enough by now to know something was wrong. Setting her goal in her mind, Rose got off of the bed, walking back into the hallway. Ink Well had already gone off somewhere else, but that was to be expected. She was just going to make sure everything was alright. Or, more realistically, make him tell her what was wrong. Probably start her shift then, too. She was up anyway. However, as she walked past the gryphon's broken door, noise could be heard coming from it. A struggle, fighting... and a voice she knew by heart was involved. Without a moment to lose she bucked against the door, kicking the weak frame open wide. Gilda was bleeding badly, standing in her same defensive position she'd maintained the night before, Silverbeak behind her outstretched wings. Further in the room... Rose couldn't believe her eyes. Ink Well was fighting himself, the two mirrored forms facing off, but one was covered in cuts and gashes, while the other had a dagger floating before him, a green aura around its hilt and glowing from his eyes. Eyes which turned towards her for just a moment, letting the bloody Ink Well's hoof connect with the imposter's cheek. The fake looked stunned, his glowing eyes widening for just a moment, before narrowing in rage. In throwing the haymaker, Ink Well had left himself open. The glint of metal in the candlelight was all the warning anyone had before the dagger sank into his chest, his eyes widening in shock. “No!” Rose gasped out as she ran into the room, fury blazing in her eyes as she saw her husband hurt. Ink Well couldn't even react to the blade embedded in him before it was twisted, his face writhing in pain. And then the steel was pulled back out, dripping deep crimson as it lashed out at Rose, sending drops of her love's blood smattering her face. She had to stop her charge or meet the blade head on, but as soon as it had passed she resumed, chasing the fleeing false pony towards the window. One more slash and a few more drops of pegasus blood hitting her cheek and the assailant was gone, leaping from the window once more. Rose followed him, leaning out to look to where he dropped, only just seeing the tip of his tail disappear beneath the hull of the ship. With him gone, Rose's full attention returned to her Ink Well, collapsing to the floor, clutching at the hole in his chest. She was with him in an instant, tears trailing through the blood on her face as she looked to the ambassador. “Get Ampoule, NOW!” The force and fear in her voice send the mighty gryphon out without hesitation, screeching for the doctor as he ran down the hall. Rose didn't pay the noise any mind as she cradled Ink Well in her arms, pressing her hoof to his chest to stop the bleeding. But there was no telling what was inside, or what damage had already been done. “Inky... Please hold on. The doctor is on the way! Just breathe and stay calm!” As she spoke, tears began to cloud her vision, horrible, horrible thoughts entering her mind. Thoughts where she and Newsprint were alone... Thoughts of a wonderful stallion leaving this world. She felt a hoof on her cheek, a warm wetness following it where it moved. She followed the parchment colored fur down to Ink Well, looking at the sad look on his face. “Sorry...” His voice came out hoarse and wet, almost like it was blowing bubbles inside him. “Don't talk. Save your strength. You'll be fine!” Rose was stopped by the same hoof moving down to her chin, then onto her muzzle to shut it. She could see the blood covering it, and taste what it left on her lips. Ink Well shook his head. “Sorry... I broke... my.... promise.” The hoof slid down from her muzzle, falling onto his chest and grabbing onto her, joining her efforts to keep up the pressure. Rose just watched as his eyes closed, all of his energy going into breathing and keeping his heart beating. “Don't worry Ink Well. You'll be fine! The doctor is on the way!” Rose's vision clouded with tears, but she kept talking. “This isn't how it ends, love. We're going to have many long years together. You promised me!” She felt his breathing slowing, ever so slightly, the gurgling in his chest not quite as intense. “You promised...” His hoof began to grow slack, just resting on hers as she kept up the pressure, almost manually keeping his lungs moving. She even leaned down, blowing her breath into him, then leaving it with a kiss. He didn't respond. She cried onto him as she began CPR, ears listening for the doctor, mind hoping to the moon, the sun, and all the princesses that would listen that this would not be the end. After seemingly countless cycles, she paused, tears falling onto his coat as she reminded him of one important fact. “You never break your promises.”