The duo stood before the grand doors leading to the throne room. After a brief check for weapons by the guards, they were allowed in, the doors silently swinging open. A long red-purple carpet lead up to the two thrones of the sisters, and each side of the hall was decorated by banners of the sun and moon, along with glass murals of scenes unknown to the Dragonborn and crystal pony. Only one throne was occupied, however; Only Celestia sat upon her throne, the larger and eldest of the sisters. Dorian recognized her by the description Ice Strider had given him. Her sister Luna was nowhere to be seen. She was deep in conversation with a purple alicorn, who seemed troubled.
"Twilight, I'm sorry, but I have no troops to spare for Ponyville. We can barely keep Canterlot garrisoned for attack." Said Celestia with a tone of finality.
"But Princess Celestia-" Pleaded 'Twilight'.
"Hush, my little pony, we have a guest." Said the Princess.
Ice Strider stopped seven feet before the Princess, and knelt down in homage. Dorian simply stood before her, and spoke. "Hello, fair Princess."
The royal's eyes widened in surprise. "You-"
"Speak? Yes, I do. My name is Dorian Hollowblade. My associate and I are here with news of the Crystal Empire."
"Uhm, yes. Right." Ice Strider stammered. She took a deep breath, and exhaled. "The Crystal Empire is completely locked down, all contact with the outside sealed off, as you probably know. The High Priest Sombra has taken over, evicted the Princess, and has made the empire food for..." She paused, swallowing. "Dragons. Nopony there is safe anymore. At the current rate, everypony in the Crystal Empire will be... will be dead within six months."
Celestia nodded. "Thank you for your, eh, report, miss...?"
"Ice Strider. Your Highness. Ladyship."
"Thank you, Ice Strider. Much of this information will be proven invaluable in aiding our sister country." Celestia said.
The Dovahkiin cleared his throat.
"And you, Dorian, for...?"
He sighed. "I took the liberty of escorting her here, acting as a guard."
"I see. We have no place in this city for mercenaries." Celestia said, glaring.
"What- I'm no mercenary! I chose to bring her here to you of my own free will. I lost all my money and armor in the process. I did this for your people; not for gold."
"Is that so?" Celestia looked to Ice Strider.
"It is. He risked his own life to protect mine on more than one occasion. He even killed a dragon!"
"Killed a dragon?" Twilight asked.
"Indeed. You probably don't believe me. I don't blame you. But I am what is called 'Dovahkiin', or Dragonborn. I have the ability to kill a dragon- all are capable of that. But I have the power to make it stay dead. I claim it's soul as my own, and use it's power for the ancient art known as the Thu'um. It gives me great powers over the world around me."
"This is... difficult to accept." Celestia said.
"Show us this power. Prove you can use this 'Thu'um'." Twilight said skeptically.
"If I must," Dorian said. "Ice Strider, hold up your knife, please."
"How did you get that in here?" Twilight asked, more out of curiosity than fear. The guards should have found it and confiscated it.
"I have my ways," replied the crystal pony ominously, then ruining the mysteriousness with a giggle.
"Observe," Said the Imperial. He turned to his companion and shouted, "Zun Haal Viik!
The knife was torn from her grasp violently, and the knife slammed to the ground with a thunk, as it's blade sank into the marble. Dorian turned to the Princess with a neutral expression on his face. Unreadable, he thought.
"That is powerful magic indeed," Noted Princess Celestia, completely ignoring the ineptitude of her guards. "You Speak, and the world bends to your will. And you say you can access these powers with the souls of slain dragons?"
"This is true. It's also the only way to make a dragon unable to return to this world, at least, in corporeal form." This world, he mentally emphasized.
"Amazing." Twilight muttered, looking closely at the Imperial man. "I think we could use you, if you're willing to help us."
"Only on one condition. My refugee friend here must be given a place to live." Dorian said. Ice Strider looked to him with surprised. They'd not discussed this earlier.
Twilight and Celestia looked to each other, a silent conversation taking place. Then the two nodded simultaneously in agreement. Celestia spoke, "It shall be granted. If you can show my fellow Princess how you defeat a dragon."
Ice Strider's eyed widened further. Dorian simply laugh, a shorted, chopped gasp of air. "Of course, what else would it be?"
Twilight blinked once, her confusion slight, then continued Celestia's thought. "We received intelligence of the roosting place of one of the dragons that have been terrorizing the city's outskirts, from our guards not two nights ago. Assuming it hasn't moved it's place of rest, we can find it there and you can demonstrate your dragon-slaying skills."
"Mm. I've done it before, I'll do it again." Dorian said. "If you'll excuse me, I need to speak with my companion privately."
"You are dismissed." Said both of them. Twilight then blushed, and refused to look at anyone in the eye.
"I'm afraid this is goodbye," Dorian said, kneeling down to Ice Strider.
"I can come with you. I'll stay out of the way. I'll-" Ice Strider pleaded.
"No. I won't risk you. You're not trained for this type of combat, and you'd be a liability, I'm sorry to say. I can't let you come with me." He stood. "You'll be safe here. Safer than you'd ever be with me."
"I... Alright. But promise me you'll come back?"
"I promise." Dorian said. "Goodbye, my friend."
Dorian turned away and started walking back towards the throne room. He didn't see Ice Strider walk the opposite way, and he didn't see her leave the castle. And he didn't see her get pulled away between two buildings.