White Haven was a fairly big city. Ponies would crowd the streets, their voices heard through the whole city even during the dead of night, a mixed blend of nobles and poverty-stricken people. The sweet scent of baked goods and cooked meat flowed through the marketplace, while the castle smithy smelled of burning griffon leather and the hammer against heated metal spread through the air. Witty banter and mugs slamming down on wooden tables echoed from taverns; the booming voices of griffon storytellers and the laughter of ponies listening just one example of griffon and pony friendship. Children would play in one of many puddles accumulated on on the cobblestone, splashing water on each other and having adults shout for them to either move out of the way or return home. Chapel bells rang and ponies left the safety of their homes to be embraced by The Gods of Old, while others stayed home and practiced their own faith.
Now, soldiers marched through the streets creating a cacophony of metal and orders being thrown by captains. Taverns grew quieter, though the conversations inside could barely be heard from across the street. The smithy was still busy and the markets were almost empty of any stands. Stores and restaurants were open, but lacked customers or families. While the chapel bells rang above the commotion of soldiers, but when one entered, they would find most of the seats to be empty and devoid of any followers of The Old Gods.
Grand Healer Rarity looked down from her apothecary at the sullen city, watching as it withered and died before her very eyes. She remembered when the city was full of life, not just anything, but actual happy ponies roaming the streets not just soldiers acting as ordered replacements. As much as she enjoyed order in the city and her own workspace, she needed to see some kind of chaos, but not be a part of it.
“This war is destroying our lives,” Rarity told herself with a whisper. “Nopony is gaining anything from this.”
The Divine Rebellion was the last war The Followers were ever involved in and since then, the military has only grown by laughable amounts. Rarity didn’t agree with going to war with The Order with such a weak military. She had heard the atrocities committed by The Order and the Lord Commander, most notable, how they handled her fellow brothers and sisters in Manehattan.Rarity shivered at the thought of having her powers stripped from her or even...
No, Rarity threw the last thought deep into her brain and avoided it altogether. They may have branded her a heretic, but she knew where her loyalties were. She’d rather die than bow down to some all-seeing goddess and her lunatic followers.
A bang erupted, sending vials and flasks full of remedies of all kinds, unbelievably none of them breaking upon impact with the ground. Rarity turned with a start. “Sweetie Belle!”
“Oh Gods, I’m so sorry!” The small filly cried, laying on her rump and covering her face. Her small blue robes collected dust on the silky fabric while the circular pin holding it all together on her shoulder popped off and landed on the ground and her robes fell completely. Rarity thanked Tilena Sweetie Belle had taken to wearing clothing under her robes, even if it was just a shirt and pants with a mantle thrown over. Rarity’s black mantel. “Don’t hit me again!”
As Sweetie tried to get up, she knocked down more and more jars and flasks, managing to save those with her magic. Ultimately, she stayed on the ground and waited for her sister’s judgment.
“Sweetie Belle—that was an accident mind you—I can’t have you rummaging around in here and destroying all my potions,” Rarity said sternly, lifting Sweetie up to her feet. “The coming days are going to be full of casualties and soldiers and civilians alike are going to be in dire need of healing.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Sweetie Belle picked up a few of the dropped potions, read the labels and placed them back in their respective spots on the shelves. “I was looking for something.”
Rarity bent down and took Sweetie’s smooth, silky robes in hand, picking up the large gold pin with her magic. “If you need anything, you needn’t be afraid to ask. What is it you’re looking for?”
Sweetie Belle remained silent as her sister wrapped the clothing around her small frame with remarkable speed and finesse. She brushed Sweetie’s mane from her eyes and smiled. “Well now, don’t be shy, ask me!”
“It was a...” Sweetie muttered.
“Speak up dear.” Rarity let go of Sweetie and scanned through her vast collection. “I am sure to have just about anything you need, so long as the purpose be just and it’s for the betterment of a pony.”
A yell erupted from below the castle, in the streets somewhere or in the castle courtyard. Sweetie Belle jumped and Rarity placed a comforting hand on the shoulder. “There, there. It’s just Grand Paladin Trixie bolstering the troops’ resolve. At least I hope that’s what she’s doing. Nopony’s cheering yet so one can only assume what she’s doing down there.”
“Will the war come to us?” Sweetie asked with a hushed voice, like she didn’t want an uninvited guest to hear her.
Rarity paused. “Well...It has a chance of coming to White Haven, but I doubt we’ll ever be hurt.”
“Why?”
“Why?” Rarity asked herself silently, tangling a finger in a curl of her violet mane. “Why, why, why?” She wasn’t sure if her answer was correct, but before she could even think, it just came out of her mouth like it had a will of its own. “Because we’re much too important for anypony to want to hurt us.”
Sweetie cocked her head.
“Look at the work we do together,” Rarity gestured to all the shelves full of the finest remedies in all of Equestria. “The head of The Church will likely see value in us and spare us of any punishment The Templars will throw at us. We’ll have to convert to their faith, but it won’t count if we don’t actually believe.”
“You really believe that?”
Rarity bit her lower lip. She wasn’t sure what to believe in, but a lie to a child can change their whole view of an outcome to a situation and right now, the children of White Haven desperately needed hope.
“Grand Healer Rarity!” A voice boomed from the door. Healer Lotus burst through the door, a mixture of panic and fear in her eyes. She looked briefly at Sweetie Belle and back to Rarity. “Please, come quickly!”
“What has happened?” Rarity stepped in front of Sweetie as though to protect her from any harm. “Is everything okay?”
Lotus took a moment to catch her breath. “It’s Queen Evergreen! She’s—I don’t-”
“Calm yourself!” Rarity felt herself panic internally, but turned to Sweetie Belle, unsure if her sister should watch the process or stay to watch the apothecary. In the end, she didn't utter a single word to her. “Take me to her Lotus.”
“No need!” Aloe shouted from down the hallway. She led a group of guards escorting the fairly young Queen Evergreen, sweat on her brow and her royal dress swapped out for something more modest. But now wasn’t the time to judge Queen Evergreen’s fashion. Each guard stormed in, Rarity dragging out a table and led The Queen to it. She lay herself on top, guards scrambling to make sure she was okay.
“Queen Evergreen!” Rarity placed a soft pillow for Queen Evergreen to lay her head. “What ails you?”
The Queen faced Rarity, head glistening from the oncoming sweat. Her mouth moved, but no words came out. Rarity moved herself closer, Aloe and Lotus spread out an assortment of potions and poultices to an already crowded table behind the Grand Healer. The Queen made an attempt to speak again, but resulted in her crying out in pain, one hand on her stomach and another reaching lower. Groans and screams were all she could muster, Aloe and Lotus pushed the guards away while Rarity scrambled to find the root of the problem.
Another scream erupted and pierced the ears of all the ponies in the apothecary, attention from servants and other healers gathering from the door to the Grand Healer’s work chamber. An aura surrounded Rarity’s hand before she pressed it against The Queen’s stomach, moving her hand out of the way, The Queen now stuck clutching the edge of the table. Rarity’s heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened.
“By Tilena,” Rarity almost fell down on her knees, but she willed herself to stay standing. Words were caught in her throat, but the constant screams and cries urged her to spit the words out. “Lotus! Aloe! Take her hands!”
The healers flanked The Queen on both sides and did as they were told while Rarity worked her way past the tight space between the guards and the table and spread The Queens legs. “Forgive me Your Grace. Give me space guards! Leave!”
The metal clad ponies all rushed away, but remained behind Sweetie Belle, watching as Rarity tossed lifted The Queen’s skirt slightly. “Aloe, give her the golden flask!”
Aloe, without question tried to give Queen Evergreen the contents of the flask, although it mostly splashed on her face, she managed to take in enough from what Rarity could tell. “What’s wrong with her? What are you doing?”
“Queen Evergreen,” Rarity tried to take the fear and worry out of her voice. “I need you to push as hard as you can!”
The atmosphere changed in the room. The shock spread through the room while everypony attempted to take in what had just been asked. Even through the grunts and cries of Queen Evergreen, silence between the ponies managed to overpower The Queen’s voice. Aloe and Lotus firmly gripped her hands while she tried to do as Rarity had ordered. The crowd of guards and the few onlookers from the nearby corridors of the castle watched as their queen writhed on the hard wooden table with only a single cushion for her comfort.
“Keep pushing,” Rarity was muttering by now, the head of the newborn in her hands. Soon the body and arms followed, each inch of the foal coming out making Rarity’s heart slow down and her head spin. When the baby was out, Rarity cradled it in her arms like it were her own, but it was out of pure fascination of the divine pink foal in her arms; a far cry from Queen Evergreen’s forest green coat. She shielded the child from sight with her body, turning her head to the gather crowd. “Guards! Servants and healers! Leave us now!”
And they did as Rarity had ordered, Sweetie Belle shutting the door after the last of the ponies had left. Shortly after, she approached Queen Evergreen, who was breathing heavily and her eyes closed. She opened them and reached with both arms. “Bring me the child.”
Rarity slowly approached, her legs feeling like lead while holding the silent baby in her arms. Sweetie Belle’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of the foal, Aloe and Lotus pressing their hands against their mouths. Queen Evergreen’s brilliant amber eyes widened at the sight of the foal and her arms seemed to have grown weak. Rarity helped support her arms until she brought the foal to her chest. It’s eyes were closed and it remained curled, protected by its messy wings. Queen Evergreen brushed the violet mane of her foal, running her fingers between the streaks of pale gold and rose, and smiled at the sight of its innocent face. She ran a finger across the foal’s face, as if to confirm for herself that it was really there in her arms. Her fingers brushed lightly against the face and up to the tip of its horn. Her heart stopped beating at the touch. She swallowed hard and tried to catch her breath. It was real.
The silence was broken by the sudden hard knocking on the door. “Grand Healer! Queen Evergreen!”
Aloe rushed to the door, raising the iron bar and opening it, letting the glistening, armored pony in, but slamming it on the other guards with her. Trixie looked back at her with confusion, reaching for her blade. Queen Evergreen’s weak voice rose in protest. “You will stand down Grand Paladin. And your men will calm themselves.”
The commotion behind the door ceased briefly and soon after the shifting armor plates vanished altogether. Trixie gazed down upon The Queen. “We heard your screams from the courtyard. We thought you were in danger.”
Her gaze shifted lower to the foal in Queen Evergreen’s arms. “Coretha’s blood!”
“Quiet!” Rarity hushed. “Please keep your voice down!”
“You expect me to keep calm?” Trixie approached Rarity, fists curling. Sweetie Bell stood between her, a feeble attempt at defending her older sister. Trixie closed her mouth and backed away, calming herself. “Do you not realize what is in our queen’s arms?”
“How can I not? But what we all have seen here does not leave this room. Nothing here.” Rarity looked over all the ponies, making sure the point came across.
“The Templar Order must never find out about this,” Queen Evergreen managed, still looking at her child and playing with its mane and tail. “This must become the most heavily guarded secret in all of Equestria.”
“The first alicorn since The Divine Sisters?” Trixie scoffed. “Let The Templars know, strike fear into them.”
“The Templars killed the last two alicorns to have grace Equestria,” Lotus reminded. “A baby alicorn would pose no threat to The Templars nor The Church. The least that foal will become is a martyr and that will be all. This-”
“Enough!” Queen Evergreen shouted. Her wings tensed, but her positioning denied them any freedom to be stretched completely. “I know what I will do with my child. Plans will be made and secrets must be kept. I thank Brenna that I have trustworthy ponies in my presence. For now, I must rest.”
“The foal needs a name,” Sweetie blurted out. She grew read when the ponies, even Queen Evergreen, lowered their heads to look at her. “Apologies.”
“No, no, you are right. I think....” The Queen looked towards the ceiling. “Cadence. After the goddess of beauty. I would much desire a bed to lay in, if I may be so bold. I fear this rickety table will be the end of me and my daughter and stop what The Old Gods have planned for us before they start..”
Rarity smiled, but questions were waiting to be answered. With strong will, she stuffed those questions in the back of her mind. The answers must come later. As will the discussion with The Queen as to what will be done with the child in the days to come.
“You have a blade!” Lord Commander yelled at a Templar initiate. “Use it!”
The Lord Commander shook her head at the pitiful sight. Ponies slashed and their opponents forgetting to use their shields, while others shot magic at anti-magic armor and shields. If this was to be the latest generation of Templar soldiers, Lord Commander Twilight was not impressed. She watched from the safety of a castle corridor overlooking the training courtyard; renovated of all plant-life and expanded to accommodate more than forty initiates at a time. But it this was the best work initiates could manage, then the renovations to the ancient gardens of the Divine Sisters would have all been for nothing.
Lord Commander Twilight didn’t condone the destruction of such a beautiful garden, but as always, everything she didn’t want done was done before she reached the top of The Order. She missed the scent of lilies and roses, as well as the exotic plants from lands long since extinct or from other lands. Sometimes, she wondered if The Unicorn Rebellion was ever necessary, although she never dared to speak it out loud, added with the fact that she was content with the life she had chosen.
“Block! You have shields, use them!” Twilight yelled once more, feeling her expectations have been set way too high for most of these ponies. Dull blades met and shields were finally being raised by most. “Your magic won’t work, stop casting spells! And don’t burn the damn castle down with that fire Torch!”
She shook her head again, looking to the trainer. “Incompetent. Not all, but most.”
“They’re mostly conscripts,” Trainer Beam replied. “Most haven’t picked up a blade or worn a set of armor in their lives. Others are young, but too aggressive for their own good. The one’s who know what they are doing are holding back and trying to train the opponent themselves. A noble task, but not their job.”
“You mustn't be afraid to go hard on them,” Twilight said. “Know each initiate and make sure you watch all of them. I understand you're new to the job, but if we are to retain good soldiers and keep the status of our order, then training must be brutal for all, even if not all of them make it through to the end.”
“Understood Lord Commander.” Trainer Beam nodded. “I’ll get right to it.”
Twilight nodded. She turned to leave, but was blocked by a short stout stallion. “Lord Commander,” he huffed and puffed, but Twilight gave him a moment to breathe. He held up a scroll. “Crow for you. Glint’s crow.”
The Lord Commander jumped, shocked. “Glint? That traitor sent for me?”
“It’s urgent. He had directions to bring it to you first and have you and the council meet.”
She took the scroll in the palm of her leather glove and opened it. Her eyes skimmed through the first paragraph and she stopped, looking up with a faint smile. “Glint, you bastard, I knew you were still with us.”
She went back to reading it, walking down the interior corridor of Canterlot Castle. She was halfway through it when she stopped in her tracks and looked up from the parchment. She was the only one in the grand hallway. Pillars reached from the floor to the ceiling, stained glass flanking her left and right. She was the only sentient being in there. She reread each line carefully before rolling the scroll back up and rushing to Seraph Moonlight’s courtroom with speeds she had never before reached.
Twilight rushed through the maze of corridors, passing other Templars, leaving them stunned and confused. She stopped in front of the door to the grand court and slammed the doors open. Seraph Moonlight looked up from the ponies in the court, who all trained their eyes on the crazed mare.
“Everypony!” Twilight bellowed. “Leave this court! The council has much to discuss. Leave now! Templars, fetch Grand Cleric Lyra and Mother Fluttershy. There is much to discuss.”
Ponies looked to The Seraph for a response. “Well? Go now, we will continue this a later date.”
Ponies crowded the exit after Twilight walked the steps up to the leader of The Church. She bowed on one knee, staring at the ground. “Apologies, Most Holy.”
Seraph Moonlight stood, robes dragging behind her as she weakly took steps down to Twilight without the aid of her cane. The grey old mare placed a hand on Twilight’s shoulder pauldron and the mare rose. “Interrupting my court is a bold move young Lord Commander. May it be for good reason. I should expect such from you.”
“I was ordered to give this to you,” Twilight extended her arm, holding the scroll in hand. Seraph Moonlight’s dark hand took the scroll, opened it and began to read.
“You called for us?” Grand Cleric Lyra stood at the door, alongside with Mother Fluttershy.
“Come, now,” Seraph Midnight spoke. “There is...There is much for us to discuss. Your spy, Glint, is still in White Haven?”
“Yes Most Holy,” Twilight responded. “Will I send a crow for him?”
“Yes. For now, we have much to discuss." Seraph Midnight gestured toward the Templars at the door. "Leave us."