Dusk looked from Artemis on one side, still blushing brightly, to Solaris on the other, who wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. There was really only one logical conclusion he could draw from that. “You were lovers?”
“We were.”
“I... uh... suppose I shouldn't be shocked.” He still was, just a little. Last night had not involved a great deal of logical evaluation, for one thing. And one single data point did not a pattern make. Though really I suppose last night should count as more than one... That thought threatened to make him start blushing again.
Artemis snorted, letting his hooves fall. “Nor should I be shocked that Solaris jumped straight to that part of the story with such enthusiasm.”
“If I'd let you tell it you'd have glossed things over. Used polite euphemisms, and so on. You know you would have.” Solaris grinned.
Artemis rolled his eyes. “Just because I have manners and don't behave like a cavepony...”
“I have manners too. I just know how to let them go and live a little. You still are such a wet blanket sometimes, Artemis.”
Artemis just snorted wordlessly at that.
“You said you became friends though,” said Dusk, returning to his questions. He wanted to hear the whole story, every single thing that had happened between them. He had read every scrap of history on the Royal Pony Brothers that existed, but there were huge gaps, and places where history and myth were impossible to tell apart. Now, though perhaps other things should have been on his mind, he couldn't keep himself from jumping eagerly at the chance to learn.
Solaris and Artemis exchanged amused glances over Dusk's head. “Yes, we became friends,” said Artemis. “Being lovers didn't last. We have had occasional... dalliances since then, admittedly, but I do not think we are suited to be lovers. Not,” he added, with a warm smile at Dusk, “without someone to mediate between us, at least.”
“Though we ceased to be lovers, we had much to bind us together in those days,” said Solaris “We were still thought of as gods by most, and we took that duty seriously. We wanted to guard and guide our little ponies, and we could do that best together. And who else could we confide in but each other? We were great friends. Yet there was always a certain... tension between us.”
“The ancient conflict was never truly resolved,” said Artemis softly. “We called a truce that somehow became permanent, but the battle was never properly concluded. And though Solaris was the one I could confide in in all else, there was one pain I could not share with him. So it began to fester within me.”
“And I was too blind to see it. For me the battle had been resolved: in my mind, I'd won long ago. I never realized that for Artemis it was different.”
The construction site was a veritable changeling hive of pony activity. Unicorns floated loads of stone along in teams, pegasi hoisted individual blocks, and earth ponies measured and mortarted and muscled the stones into place all along the rising walls.
“It's coming along very nicely.”
Artemis turned to see Solaris approaching, a genial smile on his face. Artemis smiled back. “Yes. We'll be ready to begin on the dome within a month, I think.”
“I am still amazed at your design, my friend.” Solaris clapped Artemis on the shoulder with one hoof. “No one has ever built a building like this one. The Neighia Sophia will be the greatest cathedral ever built anywhere in the world.”
Artemis found himself flushing a bit at Solaris' generous praise. “Thank you.”
“And your notion for combining our worshipers, just brilliant! The new faith is already spreading like wildfire. I think it may finally ease the last of the tribal tensions between your people and mine.”
“I hope so,” said Artemis solemnly.
“It's only right for our peoples to become friends.” Solaris smiled benignly at Artemis. “Our friendship is something I treasure greatly.”
“I treasure it as well,” said Artemis, returning the other alicorn's smile.
“But come! Show me everything! I haven't been to the site in months. You can leave out the math, please, but I want to know what you're doing here.”
Artemis chuckled. “Of course. Come this way, we can view the construction from atop the scaffolding.”
He took wing, Solaris behind him, and flew up to the top of the towering scaffolds that surrounded the rising building. He always enjoyed Solaris's company, and it was a pleasure to be able to show off his grand project to his friend. “There,” he said pointing with one hoof, “is where the dome itself will sit. And around it you can see the other chambers. They're putting on the last of the arches that support those now, so we'll be roofing them over soon. And there will be stained glass in the windows, of course. I've already had the artisans begin work on the pieces. There are also artisans ready, once we complete the structure, to do a great deal of interior work. Your budget has been quite generous, and some of their ideas for decoration are very exciting. There will be mosaics, of course, the ceilings of the supporting half domes there and there will be covered in them, but we're also bringing things from all over the empire. It will be a grand union of all our peoples, to symbolize our union and the union of our followers.”
“I can't wait to see it finished,” said Solaris. “What about that bit over there?” He pointed, and Artemis explained further, chattering happily about his project, eager to share every detail with his friend. Solaris asked endless questions, drawing more details out of Artemis, seemingly infinitely patient with Artemis' often lengthy explanations.
After well over an hour had passed Solaris finally said, “I should be going shortly. I have duties to attend to.”
“Of course,” said Artemis. “Shall I fly with you back to the palace?”
“I had intended to walk, but you're welcome to walk with me.”
“I would enjoy that,” said Artemis. He was a little baffled by how much Solaris walked when flying was so much easier. And walking was practically an invitation for ponies to bother you as you went. Though perhaps that was why Solaris did it, mused Artemis as the pair alighted on the street outside the construction site and began to make their way across the city. Artemis liked his ponies, but often found their presence tiring. Solaris, however, seemed to absolutely relish the company and attention of his followers.
Indeed, as they strolled slowly up the street a number of ponies approached Solaris. Some seemed merely to wish to greet him. Others had some matter they wanted his intervention on. Of those a few got brief words of advice on the spot, while most were invited to come to his court and present their issue formally.
One earth pony stallion included Artemis in his greeting. “It is a delight to see Your Lordships together,” he said with a bow.
“You follow the new faith then?” asked Solaris with interest.
“I do, Lord Solaris.” He bowed again. “You and Lord Artemis both are my lights.” He bowed to Artemis too. Artemis smiled, feeling pleased to see his idea already bearing fruit.
“I look forward to visiting the great cathedral, My Lords,” added the pony. “Your brilliance in creating it awes us all, Lord Solaris.”
Artemis' footsteps faltered at that. But before he could say anything the pony had bowed again and vanished down the crowded street.
Solaris shook his head. “The cathedral is your idea, not mine,” he said with a faint note of annoyance in his voice. “I really do wish more ponies realized that.”
“Yes, I do too,” said Artemis.