//------------------------------// // In the Presence of Mine Enemies // Story: What Remains I: The Griffon and Her Dweeb // by Bateman66 //------------------------------// King Zahn (or Governor Zahn, as written on official government papers) saw himself as a just griffon. He punished when it seemed necessary, taxed when it seemed necessary, and if need be, killed when it seemed necessary. But most of the time he enjoyed relative tranquility in his borders, with only the occasional frost troll to keep the guards on the alert and well enough trained. But when it came to more pressing matters such as trade, diplomacy, or internal affairs, he understood that the court aides who’d been assigned to such tasks more than likely could do a better job than he hoped to. He saw himself more as a war chief in the manner of his position; such had been the tradition of monarchs stationed at his current stronghold. However, whenever the topic of battle meddled into any of the other more intellectual topics of leadership, he immediately knew that it was a problem he must face and not some egg-headed court poindexter. So when it was announced that a human diplomat from Equestria had appeared at his stronghold walls, he immediately rose to his title. He ordered that the young man be treated with moderate respect, enough to not seem hostile, but enough to show that he was not very welcome in these parts. And, the boy was also to be brought before him as soon as possible for an immediate “discussion” between the two to personally discover what he was even doing here of all places in the world. From the commotion he heard from nearly the other side of the castle; he knew his guest had arrived. Down the main court hallway marched in two lines of guards adorned in full metal battle dress with their golden spears pointed skyward in anticipation of whatever may happen. Another cluster of guards in a box formation surrounded something small and bipedal, cloaked in a brown cloth that shadowed whatever was behind it. The front line of guards dispersed to the edges of the court chamber while the boxed guards stopped a few meters from the raised King’s wooden throne. For awhile they stood in silence, with only the crackling of the large wall torches providing any audible sounds. Before anybody could speak, Captain Machek strutted down the court aisle and passed the formation of guards. Stopping by the box of guards, he kneeled before Zahn. “My liege,” he greeted formally with respect and caution in his tone. “He arrived not even twenty minutes ago. So far we’ve—” “I am well aware of this, Captain,” he said with a raised claw. “I wish to speak with the…diplomat myself. Now, if your troops would be so kind…” Machek nodded and gestured for his troops to disperse. Hesitantly obeying, they marched in formation back down the aisle and out of the court chamber, leaving the cloaked bipedal absently standing in a now very quiet empty space. The Captain stepped out of the center aisle and up towards the raised area of the room where Zahn’s throne sat, and stood off to the monarch’s right, waiting for his next order to be given. “Take off your hood,” commanded Zahn with an already impatient scowl. “I do not speak with masked beings.” Slowly, the human pushed back the hood to reveal the entirety of his face. He was young, with light skin, chestnut hair, and a pointed nose that awkwardly clashed with the rest of his face. The boy looked up toward Zahn with a placid expression, a neutral stance that revealed nothing of what took place behind his small eyes. “Excuse me for doing so,” the human responded, his voice boyish and green but with a weathered and aged edge. “I was not sure what you would find appropriate in your court, your majesty.” Zahn snorted, finding the pleasantries patronizing to his own self-status. “If you were so concerned about the proper attire, then where is your diplomatic flag? Most griffons up here would kill you on sight if you didn’t have it strapped to your back.” He leaned forward in his throne to further emphasize his point. “This is dangerous territory.” The human’s face remained composed but Zahn could see the front of his teeth begin to grit slightly with a subtle disdain. “Your guards confiscated my pack, the flag and its pole along with it.” “That wasn’t intended,” the King said honestly with a disapproving shake of his head. “I’ll see to it that your belongings are returned to you once our business is finished.” The human coolly raised an eyebrow. “Does that still leave the possibility for them to be searched?” “Of course, you represent a slimy and dishonest faction that’s been trying to gain a foothold in our lands for years. Searching through your equipment is one of the lightest security measures we’d take on an Equestrian diplomat. See it as a compliment if you will.” A light frown of disapproval crossed the human’s face but was quickly suppressed by an understanding nod. “Very well,” he said with hesitant submission. “Your leadership is unquestionable, especially in your own domain. But if I may explain my reason for coming here today, perhaps you would be a bit more lenient towards my accommodations.” “And what is your explanation?” “A proposal of sorts.” The monarch feigned absolute shock while dropping his jaw to further the exaggerated act. “Wow, a proposal from Equestria. This should be good.” “I don’t believe you understand your majesty,” he said with a shake of his head. “Oh, I understand,” Zahn retorted with poisoned grimace and an accusatory talon. “If you’re one of those namby-pamby slime balls that think they can sweep hundreds of years of history under the rug to establish your own masked sense of control over us, you’ve got a nothing coming, friend. My ancestors have dwelt with swarms of your alleged ‘diplomats’ for years and just because you’re a blasted human will not change my response.” “Some of the other governors would say different,” said the human with a smirk. “Your opinion alone doesn't account for the entirety of the loose confederation your government claims is a united country.” The griffon snarled. “Watch yourself, human. You’re a long way from home and your pretentious little title won’t protect you from everything. And considering your attitude, your lucky that it’s protected you this far.” The human ignored the masked threat and pressed on. “Although your assumptions toward my business may prove true for my predecessors, I have a different request.” “Then state it or get out of my sight, you’ve already outstayed your welcome, boy.” The human briefly muttered something as he responded to Zahn with growing annoyance. “I require safe passage along your eastern front, three weeks of supplies, a well armed escort and a promise of further assistance once our goal is achieved in however long it takes.” Zahn grinned smugly while rubbing the end of his chin. Leaning back in his throne to further the sense of control he had. “And why, of all things in this wide and wonderful planet, should I ever even consider granting you such outrageous damages?” “Treasure,” the human uttered with a wolfish and excited grin. “Fantastic and immense treasure just waiting to be cracked open, right under the sliding ice of your very own territory. So easy to acquire but yet so difficult to reach.” “How do you know of this?” Zahn demanded in sudden nervous rage, taken back that somehow the Equestrians had discovered something in his own land before him. “Old maps and documents, dating back hundreds of years ago. They were recently come across in a crumbling Canterlot library that was scheduled to be demolished. From there it was quite simple, follow the dotted line till ‘X’ marks the spot.” The human smiled a confident grin, feeling some satisfaction in Zahn’s distress. “I assure you; our spies had nothing to do with it.” “I would hope not,” he growled in response. “But…if the map is so easy for you to embark upon it’s given journey, why would I have any need for you if we—say—hypothetically go searching for this imaginary treasure without you? We could do it well on our own.” “I was expecting you to say that. But in case you haven’t realized yet, I am here, with the map originally in my possession. If you were to follow through on this unapproved journey, I would simply return to Canterlot and report the theft of my materials and your deliberate rejection of any possible joint venture to search for the treasure, and in turn, share it’s contents equally once acquired. What position would that leave you in, especially with the other warlords that you all insist on calling ‘governors’?” Zahn felt the words sting against his feathers but tried to put on his best face of pondering. No matter which we he saw it, the boy was speaking the truth, and the truth hurt. Of course he wished to uncover whatever the human spoke of, but considering it came from the mouth of Equestrian (a human no less) made him question his credibility entirely. He knew that something was buried beneath his talons, but what it was remained to be seen. ‘Treasure’ to a pony could mean anything from the actual meaning of the word, to useless piles of books written in a dead language or a piece of canvas with a useless splattering of paint across it. If he was to put his reputation on line to find which of the two it was, he’d need to act in a more inconspicuous way than simply stealing the map itself. “Tell you what,” Zahn said after his moment of thought. “I will grant you the supplies you request and the safe passage as well, but your travelling party must be reduced, I can’t go wasting my soldiers on wild goose chases now can I?” The diplomat nervously swallowed and nodded his head, the color beginning to drain from his face. “Y-Yes, that will do quite nicely.” The king smiled. “Wonderful, we will have your requested equipment ready by tomorrow morning. From then, you may leave whenever you wish. But for now, the Captain shall escort you to your quarters for the night.” Captain Machek, who’d been standing watchfully by Zahn for the majority of the meeting silently stepped off the raised section of the room and nodded for the human to follow him down the court aisle. Quickly bowing to the king, he followed after the griffon officer. Once he was sure that the two had left earshot, he snapped a talon expectantly. “Squire!” he commanded with a booming urgency that sent the young lad dashing off from the side of the room at a lightening pace. “Yes, your majesty?” “Fetch Corporal Gilda for me, would you? I wish to speak with her immediately.” The squire nodded. “It shall be done, your majesty.”