//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7: War and Joy 
// Story: Harmony's Creed 
// by Gapeagle 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 7: War and Joy


By Octavia Melody

Awakened by unfamiliar voices outside my quarters, I rose from my comfortable bed and slipped on my robes. The sun's light illuminated my room. It was mid-morning. The smell of breakfast filled my nostrils. It seemed that we were having corn bread and rabbit today. I inspected my robes with a tad disdain. The garments were dusty and desperately need a washing. After making a few final adjustments to my apparel, I open the door and walk out.

In the hallway, outside the Bearer's quarters, stood a short woman in gray traveling gear. Her messy hair was gold, the same color of her eyes. Her goofy grin revealed sparkling white teeth. Her dusty and ripped clothes displayed her rough adventures. A large leather traveling pack was strapped onto her back. The most notable aspect to her was that her eyes did not seem to ever look the same direction. This baffled me for a moment, I, however, quickly brushed it aside. She was probably simply blind in one eye. 

"Ah! You mus' be the Den Master. Ah was just telling the Bearer of Magic abou' the efforts in Appleloosa. Newly appointed Den Master Braeburn requests sum more men. The city has become a war zone. The Templar jus' keep sending more troops down there. The Templar are even using lightweight artillery."

The messenger startled me with her high-pitched Cloudsdalian accent. However, the news was even more startling. The southern town of Appleloosa was a war zone? This would certainly not sit well with the Empire nor the Sisters. I feared for the common folk down there. I wondered what was causing the Templar to react so violently. They usually never acted on such a scale. Especially for a small town like Appleloosa.

The Bearer of Magic walked up to us from her quarters. The expression on her face was far from pleased. Floating beside her was a parchment and an animated quill writing some report on it. She cleared her throat before speaking.

"The dire situation in Appleloosa needs to be addressed. However I cannot spare any Assassins from the South Den nor the West Den until after the Summer Sun Celebration. I am going to need as many eyes as I can assemble."

Upon hearing the name of the familiar holiday, my interest grew. "What are we doing for the Summer Sun Celebration, Bearer?" I asked.

"The news about Appleloosa will most likely reach the corners of the Empire by then. I fear harsh retaliation to the Two Sisters by the common folk. They will not be pleased to be in a celebration while their kin die in the south. The Sisters are too important in our cause to be provoked or eliminated. We must protect them, because the Templar will certainly not."

She looked over at the messenger. "Go messenger. You have traveled far. Go to the lounge and get some nourishment."

The messenger bowed and departed. The Bearer stepped up to me and rested a hand on my shoulder. Her face was not as tight as it was before.

"I want you to know ahead of time that if I send any Assassins to Appleloosa, it will be me and you. I am, however, giving you a choice. We have already lost many Brothers down there, I will understand if you rather stay here in your Den."

"Do not worry Bearer, I am willing to partake in the battles. It's the least I can do for our Creed."

She smiled at me. "That's what I thought you would say." She removed her hand from my shoulder. "You should get some breakfast, Den Master."





The lounge was as active as ever. Assassins chat with each other while seated around the short tables. I spy Vinyl sleeping on a sofa in the corner. Her loud snores could be easily heard above the chatter. Apparently she did not sleep enough last night. The messenger sat by the Den's physician, giggling uncontrollably. The physician appeared to be greatly annoyed. I walked by all of them to the side kitchen where a meal awaited me on the counter. I pick it up and look for a place to sit. 

My eyes caught a flash of motion to my left. I turned to see the Bearer of Generosity beckoning me to her table. She was seated next to the Bearer of Kindness. I obeyed the summons and sat at the table, opposite them. 

"Well Den Master, it is lovely for you to join us." Rarity told me with slight venom in her voice. She had clearly not forgotten my behavior from the previous night.

The Bearer of Kindness simply nodded absently in agreement. Her plate had no meat on it. She was only eating the corn bread, which she sliced into small pieces with a fork. Rarity was still inspecting me. She raised an eyebrow.

"Dear heavens, Den Master! Your robes are filthy. How does a Canterlot girl like you stand wearing them in such a state?" 

"Really? Bearer please forgive me, for I had not noticed." I responded sarcastically.

The Bearer of Generosity opened her mouth to retaliate, but was interrupted by Fluttershy.

"Oh, she is fine, Rarity. A little dirt and grime never harmed anyone."

Rarity closed her mouth. She then reopened it to change the subject. 

"You know that Den Master in Appleloosa? Well, I have met the fellow before. He is quite the handsome man. He is also a cousin of the Bearer of Honesty, but unlike her, he has some manners. He is not so uncouth like the rest of his family."

The Bearer of Kindness brightened at this. "Oh yes, I remember him too, Rarity. He is handsome, but he has a mean side though. I don't recall him being the nicest person to his family. I don't think he likes being in the Apple family."

"Well, who would, darling?" Rarity asked. "Being a lowly farmer is nothing to be proud of."

The Bearers' gossip continued. After a while, I stopped listening. I did not care about one's personal life, only if they were efficient at what they do. Braeburn must have been efficient since he was the rank of Den Master. That was all I needed to know. After I finished my meal, I stood up and left the chatting Bearers. They did not notice my absence.





I left the Den. The mid-day air was fresh and cool. The sun brightens the cobblestone. The streets' reflection of the light made it blinding. I began walking northward. The voices of the townsfolk filled my ears. A wandering musician was on a street corner expertly playing a violin. Minstrels sang to those who cared to listen. 

I continued walking. I soon began to hear joyous music and laughter on my right. I turned to see a large crowd clapping in unison. When I reached the crowd I noticed men and women dancing together. The music was upbeat and blithesome. I could not help but smile at the sight. A large man in elaborate clothes raised his arms and addressed the crowd.

"Don't hesitate folks! This celebration of the new couple is not only for my family, but for all! Grab a partner and join us in merriment!"

People cheered and began participating in the dancing. I began clapping along with the bystanders. Suddenly I saw a hand stretched out to me. I looked up to see a tall young man with spiky blue hair. His clothes were one of a rich merchant, or at least the son of one. I hesitated to accept his offer. He smiled at me and then grabbed my wrist. He proceeded to drag me into the dancing circle. My first thought was to reject the dance and head back into the crowd, but I decided to let it slide.

I am familiar with art of dancing, as I have attended many balls in the past, but I had not performed it in years. Being Den Master does not allow many opportunities to do so. The odd man stopped and bowed to me. I return the bow.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him. I did not know what else to say to him.

"Why not? Madame, your eyes do not look joyful. Let us change that." He responded with a large grin. His voice was smooth and elegant.

He gently grabbed my hands again and we began to swing in circles. His feet were light and quick. I had trouble to keep up with him at first but I soon matched his skill. The other dancers became a blur as we moved. The music echoed off the buildings. My hood fell off my head.

"That's the spirit folks! Today is a day of joy! Let us not worry today!" The large man yelled.

"You're quite agile m'lady." The young man complimented me.

"You're not bad yourself."

The song continued. The crowd clapped on. I even saw some Royal Guards join the crowd. The world seemed oblivious to the destruction that surrounded it. Warriors, merchants, nobles, beggars, thieves, gamblers, and housewives all joined in the celebration of a stranger and his wife. Everything felt like it was under the impression of peace in an Empire at war with itself. This sense of ignorance of the south would not last. I started to feel a tinge of guilt as the man and I danced. I knew about the devastation in Appleloosa, yet here I was participating in a party that was not my own. The whole situation seemed to contain a bitter irony. 

Small children joined the merriment. Supportive mothers urged them on. I saw a woman in a long dress dancing with a man in white. They were surely the married couple. The musicians intensified the music and the dancing sped up. I stumbled slightly as the young man set the pace.

"C'mon m'lady. Focus! Lighten up! We can do this all day." The young man then spun me gracefully under his arm. I am impressed by his finesse.

"Oh please, you think you're so suave?"

"Think? M'lady 'suave' is my middle name."

"What is your name, oh desperate gentleman?"

"My name? Hah! I have many, which one do you want it to be?"

I roll my eyes. "You're one of those huh?"

His smile faded. "Well, no. Whatever do you mean madame?"

I quickly shook my head. "Nothing."

We accidentally bumped into a pair of dancers. We both lost our balance but were quick to recover. The other dancers did not seem too gleeful about our little collision. The music carried on, so we continued our jovial dance. 

"Well m'lady, the name I received at birth is Flashius Senti of Cloudsdale. But you can just call me Flash."

I chuckled at the abnormal name. "My name is Octavia Melody of Canterlot. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Well, Octavia, can you explain the oddness of your robes? They are fascinating to observe."

"I could not fully explain them within the time of this song."

Flash simply responded with a perplexed look. He then lightly shrugged as we swing in circles.

"You're an interesting woman, Lady Octavia."

"I wish I could say the same about you." I teased him.

"Ha, she has a witty tongue too!" He laughed.

"HEY YOU!" A deep voice boomed from the crowd.

The music came to an abrupt and screeching end. The dancers, musicians and bystanders stopped to stare at the offending voice. I turned around to see a Royal Guard pointing his armored index finger at me. He was in the company of three other guards all dressed in Equestrian golden armor. 

"YOU FIT THE DESCRIPTION OF SIR RICH'S MURDERER!"

Run! I shoved Flash out of my way and sprinted away from the guards. I heard their metal footsteps follow me.

"You! Get that boy! He is a conspirator like her! The others with me! We'll see to it that she pays for her crimes!"

I looked over my shoulder as I run. A large Royal Guard grabbed Flash by the collar and dragged him away.

"What is your problem guard? I swear I am not affiliated with her! I only danced with her! I don't even know her! Please let me go!" Flash's pleas were of no avail as the guard continued to drag him away. He was most likely to end up in the Old Dungeons.

Crowds ran out of my path as I sprinted by them. The guards were still in pursuit. I made a tight right turn and continued to run down an alleyway. The guards did not slow down. Run! Go! Do not get caught! I sidestepped by a group of gamblers. Faster! You can outrun them!

Hide! I slowed down and walked with a large moving crowd. Nice and easy. I hoped to blend in with the people. The guards rounded the corner out of the alleyway. They stopped and their eyes searched the area. Their long blue crests stood above the masses.

"Where is she?"

"She can't be far!"

"Over there! I see the murderer!"

Dammit! Run you fool! I shoved the pedestrians over. Screams and gasps emitted from the surrounding crowd. Once I saw clearing, my legs carried me at speeds I did not believe I could muster. Go! Take to the roofs!

I jumped and grabbed onto a low beam extending above a tomato stand. The tomato seller cursed at me. I then continued up on the roof. The guards stopped and stared at me.

"You can't get away that easily!" They began to discard their heavier gear. 

"Pay for your crimes, criminal scum!"

"Justice shall be served for the Sisters!" The guards begin to skillfully climb up to me.

Don't just stand there! Move! After my brief moment of shock, I sprinted along the rooftops. Jump over that! Step there! Go! The guards chased after me, but were beginning to lose ground. Look over there! My eyes caught a small pool on the street to my right. I jumped off the roof and ran towards the pool.

I dove into the small pool. I made sure to be fully submerged. Calm down. My body slowed down to conserve oxygen.

"By Empress Celestia! She's gone again!" 

"Dammit!"

"We'll get her next time, lads. We know her face."

I watched them angrily walk away. I was fortunate that they did not see me enter the water. When they had exited my line of sight, I heaved myself out of the pool. The water was a darker color than when I entered. This made me inspect my robes. The robes' dirt and grime were gone. The entire garment was a lighter shade than before. Hmm. I had given my robes the washing they required. 

"I hope the Bearer of Generosity is happy now" I indignantly muttered to myself.

I observed my surroundings. The buildings were not familiar. In my haste, I seemed to have made many turns without thinking. I did not know my exact location in the city. So, with my dripping robes and my mind spinning I made my way back to the Den. Well, I thought it was the right way to the Den. I checked the sun's position in the sky and adjusted my course.


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