Prologue
The hard smell of cut and stained wood of the carriage, have mixed with the fresh scents from the outside world that have doused the coach since it rolled from the tall and mostly untamed forest; and into the grassy fields that now adorn the side of the crudely made dirt road.
Every bounce of the coach sends the flaps on the primitive windows open and banging against the outside wood. However, this has allowed the occupants of the carriage to glance to the world they slowly but surely ride past.
"The new capital seems to have that glow does it not?" The light purple mare squints her eyes to the far off castle the bend in the road has revealed.
No answer comes from the lean blonde haired man across from her as she turns her head, "Would you not agree Preston?"
The voice now being directed towards him turns the man's head as he takes himself back from the window and to the slightly uncomfortable coach's seats they have been seated in since they left Clover's hometown, "Ya, the new city is great..." He gives a little gesture towards the window with his hand as he continues, "...But just asking, why does it need to be so high up. I mean heck, that thing is practically falling off the mountain?"
Although he is not aware,of the New York accent, the scruffy light blond bearded man use to possess has diminished over the last four and a half months while he has been present in this strange new world of Equestria. Clover of course has not really noticed it’s change either, seeing as how she was tasked with looking after Preston until a later date things like the style of his voice never really mattered to the mare.
Instead, she has found other ways to poke fun with the still strange new being known as a human, "Oh?" Clover cocks her head as she speaks up, "I do believe that you have said countless times humans have structures that reach far over cliffs and some that you have stated can even reach into the clouds."
"Ya, we do." He tugs a little on the curdly made wool shirt he has on as he continues, "You know what else we have? People who can listen to instructions..." Again he pulls to the shirt as he tries to push some fresh air between the sweaty and itchy shirt and his skin, "... I mean come on, this thing is like a sauna."
Clover's ear flicks to the comment as she nods her head, "Sun-Ah...That is a term for being warm correct?"
A faint chuckle rolls up from the man as he suspends his hand's motions, "Sure." He cocks a little eye to her as he continues, "Are you like...Keeping tabs on me or something?"
The mare squints to the words as she speaks up a little unsure, "Keeping tabs? I-if you mean am I recording your actions then yes." Clover slowly starts to coast from her hesitant tone as she continues, "As you are aware the new Princess asked me to keep an eye on you...E-especially after the failed spell."
Preston's slight smile has altered on his face as he nods a little emotionless to the comment, "Ya, that."
Noticing the man's drooping hands the mare speaks up again as her horn sparks up to tug on the earth brown cloak she has on around her, "And from what I understand of humans, you seem to get enjoyment out of complaining about everything." The smile cracks a little more across her snout as she looks to the man, "Of course, you on the other hoof have always wined like a foal."
"Ya ya ya, name one time I have ever complained about something?" The comment brings a faint laugh to the mare as the glow to her halts with a comment from her, "I do not think we have all day."
Preston cocks a faint smile to the mare as he brings his hand up, however before he can speak up a deep male voice comes up from the windows of the slowing carriage, "We have reached Canterlot Ms.Clover."
The words flick the mare's ear as she now sits up a little more in her seat towards the window. Preston follows the mare's movements as he now turns his eyes to the city they roll pass.
However, the blonde man just blinks to the city he now rolls through. The roads still have a dirt path like every other city he has seen here, sure some of the buildings look to be a little bit bigger but only a few are made of stone and as a result the wood buildings do not really scream capital of Equestria.
"Look, you can see the walls they have started to erect around the castle from here." The slightly excited voice of the usually unimpressed and cool headed mare cracks a faint smile to Preston as he continues to look around the medieval world outside.
There is one thing that catches his eye though as they turn a bend in the road...The tall white and gold stoned castle that towers above the city with its spires definitely is impressive for ponies that built it.
Preston’s eyes lock to the building as Clover's voice comes up from beside him, "I wish Star Swirl could see this."
As the words bounce a little from the cabin's walls the rock of the carriage starts to get a little lighter. Preston is the first to notice the change in the road as he looks over the stone ground they have rolled onto.
The castle now only rest a few moments from their current position, and as they begin to near it the carriage starts to slow with a voice from outside, "We have arrived at the castle Ms.Clover."
The mare is the first to stand in the tight area of the coach as her horn sparks up to lower the stairs of the coach, "Thank you."
Preston holds his legs to one side as the purple mare starts to descend into the world outside. However, it only takes a moment for Clover to come outside as she turns her attention to the other rider, "Coming Preston?"
To the words the man stands up in his normal hunched over fashion as he begins to move towards the stairs. A faint groan comes from him as he free’s himself from the cramped coach he rode in for the last few hours.
As he stretches a little he turns his eyes to the castle grounds he now stands in. The sound of hammers and a voice can be heard around the pile of white stones that sit to every corner of the area where the ground's walls are being constructed.
Clover however does not pay attention to the sound around her though as she instead holds her gaze towards the stairs in front of the castle. Her trot comes up without a word as Preston follows after her.
Preston's walk is held to a slow pace as he moves forward, not because he is trying to keep pace with the short pony beside him but instead because of the tight predominantly wool and other fabric made shoes he has on. His feet chafe with every step he takes on the harder stone ground. But knowing he can not run the risk of ruining the one good pair of shoes he came to Equestria with keeps his mind from noticing the slight pain in his feet.
The pace he has kept quickly brings him and Clover to the stairs as they start up towards the large open castle doors.
A few ponies stand near the open doors wearing a tool belt slung over their chest and around their neck. Most of the ponies are unicorns, and they use this to their advantage as they float a quil and ink well next to them along with the scroll of paper most seem to be writing on.
However, as the tall and strange looking creature walks past them, they turn their heads from their respective jobs and instead gawk a little to Preston.
The blonde man noticed the stares for a moment but he does not alter his pace as he and Clover come into the middle of the castle's foyer.
Clover shoots her head up as she stares a little to the tall structure she stands in with a little sparkle to her eyes.
Preston does the same but with a more placid stare to the tall building. However, the idea of this structure being created by animals does bring a strange fascination too the blonde haired man.
But the inquisitive eyes he and the mare beside him hold are cut short to a voice.
"Ah, you have arrived."
The sweet but distinct tone quickly takes hold of Clover and Preston's attentions as they turn to meet with the tall white mare that now steps in.
Clover is the first to bring her voice up as she gives a little bow, "Hello Princess Celestia, you wished to see us?"
The bow brings a quick response from the mare as Celestia now waves her hoof, "Please Clover, I intended to preside over Equestria in a different light, bowing to me is not necessary."
The words bring Clover's posture up as she gives a little laugh, "Sorry, but Princess Platinum always insisted on bowing in royalty's presence.
Celestia shakes her head with a smile as she speaks up, "It is not necessary, now if you would please follow me..." Her head comes up for a moment as she looks over the few ponies in the room that have slowed their jobs to the conversation, "...We should leave these ponies to their fine work."
As her voice comes down her trot comes up towards the two closed doors directly in front of the castle's entrance.
Preston and Clover follow after her as the double doors come open under the control of Celestia's gold magic that now chimes to her horn.
It only takes a moment for Clover and Preston to follow after the leading mare as they come now into the empty and slightly barren throne room.
To either side of the entrance there stands a row of large windows, four on each side. Most of the windows are just simple stain glassed windows, but two have what looks like carvings or pictures in them.
"I have decided it would be better to have the throne room open to everypony of Equestria..." Her eyes hold a little to the one throne in the room, however her silence is brought to an end as she continues, "...I have also decided to record Equestria's most important events on the throne room's windows."
Preston turns his eyes to the six empty panels around the room as he speaks up, "There's only six windows left?"
The man’s voice brings a quick jabbing hoof to his leg as Clover shoots him a look. However, the man's comment does not halt the white mare as she just gives a little smile, "I believe it will suffice. Now, on to why I summoned you both." She straightens her posture a little as she continues, "As you know I currently presided over the earth ponies and unicorns, with the pegasus's emperor Gust's support. So, I wish to make sure that the only changes to tradition are superficial until the three tribes have settled a bit more."
Celestia trots a little towards one of the stain glassed windows as she continues, "According to unicorn custom there must be a head mage to preside over and make the last judgments on the dealings with the unicorn school." She turns back to Clover as she nods, "And as I am sure you are both aware Star Swirl has continued to avoid any and all contact I or the school has sent him..."
The tall mare's tone starts to change a little as she holds the sweet smile, "Star Swirl's successor needs to be picked..." She again nods her head as she speaks directly to Clover, "I have received your recommendations Clover and that is why I would like you to introduce the new successor to your old master, in hopes that Star Swirl will offer him a little more insight into his unique knowledge."
Clover nods as she speaks up, "Who is the successor?"
"Sagitta Duscle, of Hollow Shades."
The name brings a slight smile to Clover's face as she nods, "When will he arrive?"
"Tomorrow." The word cocks Clover's head as she anxiously waits for Celestia to finish, "...That is why I had both of you come, I had assumed both of you would be able to help Sagitta become acquainted with Star Swirl. I have arranged for you two too stay at the old capital castle of Unicornia. There may not be any ruler presiding over it, but ponies are still deciding whether or not to leave the city, so I have tasked a few ponies to upkeep the castle."
Clover stutters a little as she speaks up, "Y-you want us to leave now?"
"Yes, the letter said to pack correct?"
Celestia's words nod the mare's head as she speaks up, "Well yes but it is very light."
The tall white mare nods as she continues, "That is fine, you will only be there for two days."
Clover does not bring her voice up again as she just nods. To the silence Celestia turns her head to Preston, "How have you been Preston?"
The mare's turned gaze shifts to the blonde man for a moment as he speaks up, "G-good, no problems."
Celestia nods as she squints to him a little surprised at the comment, "I am surprised, no problems arose after the spell's failing?"
Preston shakes his head but before he can speak up Clover has started her voice, "Well there has been some weight loss, but other then that no changes."
The comment brings a faint laugh from the man, but it is to light to hear over Celestia's voice, "That is good to hear." Her head comes back to Preston as she gives a sweet smile, "I am sorry my spell to turn you into a pony failed, but it is good to hear you have recovered from it."
Preston just nods as he gives a simple response, "It's alright."
Celestia studies the man's face for a moment before she nods, "There is always tomorrow." She straightens her posture as she shifts her gaze between him and Clover, "...I will let you two get going, that way you can get there before dark."
Clover nods to the words as she starts to turn back to the door, "Thank you Princess." Her head starts to bow, but she is able to stop it mid way as she turns completely around towards the doors of the throne room.
End