The caverns went very quiet as Gilda finished up her tale. Sunset and Luna both were rather stoic, and perhaps their lack of immediate reaction disturbed Gilda far more than aggression from Luna. Gilda clutched at the jewel hanging from her neck, perhaps taking some solace in it.
Sunset had heard a variant of this story as well; however, a significant difference this time is that Gilda had not divulged the identity of the griffon attacker, as she had figured it out shortly after seeing his face. Why had she omitted that this time? Perhaps the griffon clearly stating that he wanted her talons might make the story less believable if the identity were revealed?
When Luna spoke, her skepticism once again showing in her tone. "So you want me to believe that, by some coincidence, the very dagger that had only your prints on it transferred that many wielders, and by accident ended up in the head of Grackus Bellamy? And that Charles Franks was a traitor who wished to kill off Grackus?"
Sunset now realized that, at this point, Gilda did not need to name the griffon. After all, Luna would have been among the ponies to know about the incident and those left dead in the room.
Gilda nodded in confirmation. "Yes. I would not learn till later, but Charles had indeed followed Antoine's instructions; however, he had made use of these caverns alongside a dragon co-conspirator. It is the truth."
"So you tell it," Luna scoffed, eyeing Sunset, "Dratina had a close call that day as well, though Celestia wanting to keep an eye on her paid off to her advantage. The evidence all points to you, Gilda, murdering both Charles and Grackus for reasons unknown. The dagger, the fact that you and Grackus had a mutual disliking of each other, and that your skill with daggers and level of alertness would not have been sufficient enough to throw hard enough to embed the six inch blade deep into your uncle's skull. The evidence does not match the story."
Gilda scowled and rose from her sitting position. "Listen, I didn't want my uncle dead, it just happened! We had our disagreements, but when shit hit the fan, we had each others backs till the very end."
Luna dismissed Gilda with a wave of the hoof, summoning a small host of guards in the process. "Yes well, as much as I would be thrilled to take your word for it, I do not believe you. However, I do believe that you have ventured these caverns before; and feel that it would be unwise to continue to detain you here."
Luna looked to the four guards who had come in, two pegasi and two unicorns. "Take her to the old Canterlot Prison-"
"Your highness," one of the pegasi spoke, hesitantly at first, "If I may interrupt, we have received a message from the Republic. They seek Gilda's release."
"How shocking." Luna leered at Gilda, who seemed genuinely surprised. "Your father wants you out of prison. Did they agree to our terms?"
The pegasus shifted uncomfortably, looking towards his comrades. None of them seemed eager to deliver the answer, so when Luna turned back towards them, the original speaker was thrust forward.
"They made a different set of terms. They say that if Gilda is released, then they will not have to come take her by force."
Luna's eyes widened, her wings flared outward, and the wind began to howl in response to this announcement. Sunset and Gilda took a step back from the Princess, lest she take her rage out on either of them. Gilda took the necklace from her neck and placed it around Sunset's neck.
"How dare they threaten Equestria, the audacity!" Luna stomped a hoof to the ground, a crack of thunder shaking the entire cavern, "Tell them that if they threaten Equestria again, I will personally reduce their new Republic to ashes as an example!"
Because of Luna huffing and puffing like an enraged bull prepared to charge, a few of the guards began backing away, pushing the talkative pegasus guard forward all the same. He shot a glare to his comrades, who merely responded with helpless looks.
After a few moments, likely upon realizing how she was acting, Luna calmed down, her breathing leveling, her wings folding back to their sides, and the wind calming yet again. The rattling of bones and metal became the dominant sound as Luna's eyes closed. She took a deep breath, and then shook her head. "Report to them that if they want to come and get her; they can have her. Place her in the old Canterlot Prison in the meantime."
The guards hastily surrounded Gilda and practically swarmed her, hooves and rope flying in an artistically precise fashion. All Sunset saw were the four guards for a few moments, until they backed off, revealing a hogtied Gilda, a scowl on her face. "Is this really necessary?"
The pegasus guard from earlier looked to his comrades with a snicker. "All we need is an apple in the beak and we would all be set for alicorn dinner. Anyone got a shiny red one?" The guards chuckled at the joke, relieving some of the tension that had been brought on by Luna's earlier outburst.
Luna shot her guards a look, which prompted all four of them to hoist Gilda and carry her out in haste. Before being carried out, Gilda called out, "Good luck Sunset! If they do execute you though, I am going to want that back."
It was at this point that Luna noticed the amulet around Sunset's neck and scrutinized it. Stepping forward some, Luna brought a hoof to the heart-shaped gem, a scowl written on her face. "If she thinks she is getting this back, then she must have been telling tales to herself. Pick up on your story where you left off, Sunset. Moonlight is being burned." With this, Luna strode back over to her side of the cavern.
Sunset sighed, though she felt an oddly renewed vigor in the pit of her stomach. Luna had not yet seemed to realize just what Gilda had passed back off to her. The alicorn amulet created from Cadance's magic, which would have came in quite the handy in her fight with Luna. Then again, she would have recognized it and confiscated it by then had that been the case, so in hindsight, perhaps not having it for that fight had been a saving grace. With these thoughts in the back of her mind, Sunset carried on, intent on distracting Luna from the seemingly inert jewel.
"Well, some time after we left the hospital, we went straight to Canterlot. By train. The ride there was uneventful, at least compared to my last train trip..."