//------------------------------// // Concessions // Story: The Wolves of Equestria // by FenrisianBrony //------------------------------// I shook slightly as I tried to adjust my armour slightly, shifting my back around to make it as comfortable as possible before I got to the war council. My mane, beard and tail were still just as unkempt as before and bits of my fur were matted with the sweat I had worked up in my little brawl. While water wasn’t exactly in short supply around the camp, what with all the ice and the few Rune Priests who could conjure flames at will, I didn’t have the time to hunt one down, have a bath and then make sure I was dry before heading back into the freezing temperatures. None of the Arctic Wolves would care, each one of them sharing my own view on the needs of personal hygiene, and if the others cared, they would just have to put a hoof across their nose. Making my way to the centre of the camp, I made my way towards one of the few permanent structures in the camp, entering the large single room and looking at the ponies within. All of them were armoured, and most of whom I knew by sight and smell, although those few wearing the armour of the Everfree Sentinels were a mystery to me, save for the captain who scowled as I entered. “Your Wolf Guard is here,” he looked towards my father, causing him to turn around and look directly at me. My gaze instantly fell to the floor as I bowed my head. “Hoarfrost. You have been fighting I hear.” “It was hardly a fight my lord, it was only against a Drakeguard,” I replied softly. “Ha, that’s the spirit,” Umbrage laughed, turning back to the other commanders as I took my place with the only other Wolf Guard from the ninth company, the old pony barely even looking my way. “I, lord Icewind, Great Wolf of the Arctic Wolves, commander of the first company and Warden of the North bring this council to order,” Icewind boomed, the Great Wolfs voice demanding instant respect from everypony present, even those from the Drakeguard. “May the lords present state their names and their right to be heard.” “Wolf Lord Hrolf, fifth company.” “Wolf Lord Russ, sixth company.” “Rune Priest and acting Wolf Lord Balefire, seventh company.” “Wolf Lord Jarl, eighth company.” “Wolf Lord Umbrage, ninth company.” “Iron Smith Kiln, tenth company.” “Scorpan, Captain of the Black Ravens second company,” the black armour the pony wore stood in stark contrast with the bare metal or reds of the other Legions present, and he was also the only pony present without some sort of entourage. “Captain Salamander, Drakeguard third company,” the pony bared his fangs as he spoke, rolling his neck as he glared at the last pony to speak. “Blueblood the Seventh,” the white unicorn stallion simpered. “Archmage the Red of Tenth company of the Everfree Sentinels. “What is one of your kin here?” Hrolf asked, leaning towards the unicorn and mirroring Salamanders grin. “I thought that you and you ilk preferred to skulk in your forests practicing your spells.” “And I believed that your kind preferred to sink in to earth ponies barbarous roots,” Blueblood replied, glancing around. “Nothing so far has convinced me otherwise.” “My friends, now is not the time for petty insults over the merits of one practice or the other,” Icewind cut in. “Although Archmage Blueblood, it would be wise to remember that your discipline is not as widely accepted as ours.” “Of course my lord,” Blueblood bowed deeply. “My most sincere apologies.” “Ass,” Salamander sneered, only for Icewind to shoot him and glare that could melt rock, Salamander shrinking in the gaze of the Great Wolf. “Captain, why have we been given the… pleasure, of your arrival? The only message we received through our own Rune Priests was that we were to hold position and to expect a message to be given physically. Do you have it? And what could be so important that an Arctic Wolf Pegasus or our own unicorn cadre could not receive it.” “The message I carry is not physical,” Blueblood explained, ignoring the growls from various ponies in the room, myself included. “Rather, I am to be the vessel through which the message shall be transmitted. The Warmistress herself gave me this task, and I will not let Her down.” “Cut to the chase Blueblood,” Icewind sighed. “What, is, the, message?” “One from the Empress and the Warmistress,” Blueblood replied, unable to hide his smug smile as he lit his horn, casting a pale blue light around the room. For a moment nothing happened, before a brighter light filled the room, finally forming into the visage of the Empress Herself, clad in Her resplendent golden armour. Beside her stood the Warmistress, the greatest of all Her warriors, and the only one whispered to be able to match the Empress in single combat. As one the ponies fell to their knees, averting their gazes from the two goddesses now in our midst. “Rise my faithful warriors,” the Empress commanded, and as one we rose. “Empress Celestia, Warmistress Luna. To what do we owe the honour and privilege of this greeting?” Icewind asked, his eyes still cast low. “Come now Great Wolf,” Celestia smiled. “You have met me in the flesh, you know that you can meet my gaze and that of my Warmistress.” “A warrior such as you should not fear his commanders,” Luna agreed, her own face remaining stony and impassive. “Of course my lieges,” Icewind nodded, looking up and staring directly at their faces. “Good,” Celestia nodded. “As for why we are here, we have made changes to the plans of your campaign, and the reason Archmage the Red Blueblood is here, is due to the sensitive nature of our message. We could not risk our foes intercepting the message if sent telepathically, nor could we risk that the Pegasus we sent be set upon and killed. We could not even risk coming ourselves, as you are too far removed from the mainland to risk our absence.” “I understand,” Icewind bowed his head slightly, before looking up again. “What is this message?” “The campaign against the Minotaur’s is going well,” Celestia began. “On the backs of your ponies Equestria’s borders have been pushed further outwards than ever before, and the safety of my ponies increased beyond measure. Truly it is a testament to your Legions that you have faced such adversity.” “You honour us all,” Scorpan bowed deeply, gaining a murmur of approval from all those present. “I am afraid however that this is not the reason for this message,” Celestia continued. “The campaign must be suspended for now…” “What?!” Salamander cried out, snarling slightly. “Quiet,” Icewind spoke, his voice never raising, but carrying with it an icy chill that cut through even the sub-zero temperatures, kowtowing salamander and earning of nod of approval from Luna, before Celestia continued. “All the reports you have sent us tell of how the Minotaur’s hordes have been broken, their backs smashed and their coherency scattered to the winds. Never again will they threaten Equestria to the same extent again. Other forces that move against us do however. My Legions are stretched thin across the world, and certain forces must be removed from campaigns to combat the greater threats.” “With all due respect Empress, the Minotaur hordes are still far from harmless,” Balefire moved forward as he spoke, his eyes downcast. “I do not believe I know you, Rune Priest,” Celestia cut in. “I am Balefire of the seventh company. I am also the acting Wolf Lord due to the death of Wolf Lord Coldsight.” “His death will be keenly felt,” Celestia began again. “I understand your reservations, and know that even with the losses they have sustained that the Minotaur’s are still dangerous, but it will take them decades to recover from their defeats, ample time for other campaigns to be persecuted and emerged from victorious.” “Yes my lady,” Balefire bowed once more. “The Diamond Dogs of the Granite Hold,” Luna announced, taking a step forward. “Now under the control of a dog calling himself ‘Boss Dog Headsplitter'. He has amassed a force of his kind behind him and is brazenly raiding towns along the frontier. He has been engaged by members of the Western Rangers, but every time he has retreated to his stronghold before driving off our Legionnaires, before emerging once more. The Siegebreakers are already engaged against the Griffons of the west, and are not able to break open the Diamond Dog hold.” “We are currently assembling a force to finally bring an end to ‘Headsplitter’,” Celestia continued. “Every legionnaire we have available is being assembled, but more are required, ponies from your own campaign force Great Wolf. Members of the Lunar Knights, Black Ravens, Drakeguard and Night Warriors have already been assembled under the eye of my Warmistress, and the force will be commanded by her.” “I imagined as much,” Icewind nodded, a frown plastered across his face. “Which companies are you taking from me?” “The third Drakeguard, the second Black Ravens and the ninth Arctic Wolves,” Luna replied simply, looking at each of the company commanders in turn. “What?!” This time it was me who bellowed out, along with Salamander and a few of the other Wolf Lords. Only Scorpan seemed to accept the decision with the grace of Icewind, and I swore I caught a small smile flitting across his lips for a brief second before it was replaced with the impassive stare he had worn before. The others were note so silent. “That’s a third of our force!” Hrolf cried out. “We can’t hold this frontier against the Minotaur’s with six companies!” Kiln agreed. “This campaign is already slowing down!” Jarl snapped. “You wish for our forces to be depleted even more so that we cannot continue further?” “You would have me abandon killing Minotaur’s to fight dogs?!” Salamander spat. “SILENCE!” Icewind bellowed, and instantly the protests died in our throats. The Great Wolfs eyes burnt brightly as he looked between those who had complained, and I felt myself shrink when his gaze fell upon me. The next time he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper, but everypony present knew to speak up now would be to invite his wrath once more. “Any who speak up, out of turn again will leave my presence, and if you answer to me, you will regret making a sound. Am I understood?” “Yes, Great Wolf,” came the unanimous reply. “Good,” he nodded, a slight snarl slipping into his voice, before he returned his gaze to Celestia. “My Empress, I am sorry my commanders spoke out in such a fashion, but I do share some of their sentiments. My campaign force has been reduced many times before, from over two thousand ponies to a little over nine hundred. You would see us reduced further to six hundred?” “Almost,” Celestia corrected him. “You are also to leave and return to the Aesir, Great Wolf. More and more applicants have been found for your Legion, and I wish for you to be on hoof personally to ensure that standards do not drop and that the Aesir is properly manned to reassure the new additions.” “You would have the first company, the bravest and strongest of my warriors, idle in the Citadel?” Icewind clarified. “I would commander,” Celestia nodded. “The rest of your campaign force is to remain here to act as a bulwark against any Minotaur resurgence and to provide a force in the Deep North, to protect both Equestria and the Crystal Empire in the North East.” “The Empire is far behind our lines,” Icewind reasoned. “And yet it is still north of the Aesir,” Celestia replied. “They may not be part of Equestria, but they are ponies, and you took an oath to protect all ponies, be they Equestria, Crystal, Roaman, or other ethnicity.” “My forces are yours of course my Empress,” Icewind bowed, before fixing Her with a determined stare. “I do have conditions though.” “Name them and they will be discussed,” Luna pronounced after receiving a nod from Luna. “Once the campaign against the Granite Hold is complete, my forces will be returned to me,” Icewind began. “The entirety of my own Legion, save for those absolutely required to patrol and defend the Aesir, will also be given permission to join my campaign force.” “Done,” Celestia nodded after a moment’s deliberation. “Second, I want twenty extra companies, two thousand Legionnaires, placed under my command as well, to stay there until we have driven the Minotaur’s into the sea and destroyed their kind utterly.” “I will place ten companies under your direct command,” Celestia replied. “I will also personally ensure that your force will not be taken away from until the Minotaur’s are no more. However, your campaign will only resume when all of the forces are in place, and you are to wait at the Aesir until the force is assembled. I will not have you marching off with only half of your forces. You may of course continue to patrol the north between your Citadel and here, but you are to go no further.” “If that is your will my Empress, then my company and I will wait at the Aesir until the time is right.” “Then my word is final,” Celestia nodded. “Have those companies meeting up with the Warmistress’s forces moving by tomorrow morning. Archmage the Red Blueblood will lead them to the rendezvous point. As for your own company, ensure that those remaining know of your departure and return to the Aesir as soon as you are able. That is all.” “For Equestria,” came the reply from the assembled lords and captain, Celestia and Luna nodding, before Blueblood allowed his horn to fade, pressing his hoof to his head and groaning softly. “Archmage Blueblood, are you unwell?” Icewind asked, instantly noticing the swaying captain. “I am fine my lord,” Blueblood nodded, two of his aides rushing to his side and steadying him. “The spell is taxing over such long distances.” “Fell-Hoof,” Icewind looked round at one of his Wolf Guard, the Pegasus taking a step forward. “Show our guests to their quarters and ensure that the Archmage has what is required to make a full recovery. We wouldn’t want such a fine scholar to die out here from the cold.” “Yes my lord,” Fell-Hood nodded, before trotting over to the door of the building, ushering Blueblood and the other Everfree Sentinels from the room. “As for the rest of you, you are dismissed, save for Umbrage, Scorpan and Salamander,” Icewind looked at the remaining Wolf Lords. “I will ensure that orders are relayed to you when they have been finalised.” The Wolf Lords and their Wolf Guard slowly filed out of the room, the war council suddenly feeling a lot smaller as I looked at the remaining Wolf Guard, a few of them shooting me dangerous looks while others avoided my gaze altogether. “Lord Umbrage, you will have command of the force while on the move,” Icewind began in a tone that let everypony present know that these were not suggestions, but orders. “You are to set off with all three companies at first light, accompanied by the injured. With good graces you will be able to reach the Aesir before nightfall. There you will ensure that all three companies are re-supplied and that injuries are treated, before heading out when all are at their highest combat readiness. From there you will follow Archmage Blueblood, link up with the Warmistress and her host and relinquish your command to her. When the campaign is over, return to the Aesir.” Icewind turned to look at Scorpan and Salamander, regarding them each in turn before continuing. “I expect both of your companies to honour the wishes of the Empress and return to me when called upon.” “Of course Great Wolf,” Scorpan nodded, Salamander keeping silent as he too nodded. “Then if there is nothing else, this War Council is over,” Icewind proclaimed. “Make ready to move by tomorrow, and bring your Legions honour in the coming fights.” I hurried after Umbrage as the Wolf lord left the room, shooting a quick glance at Scorpan, the captain smiling at me, before I lost him from sight as I trotted through the snow behind my Wolf Lord. Eventually we reached his tent and went inside, Umbrage turning to face me as soon as we were out of the snow, bringing his hoof across my face in a vicious backslap. “You are never to speak out of turn like that, especially not to the Empress,” he snapped, gesturing for the other Wolf Guard to wait outside. “I only…” I began, only for him to glare at me. Gulping, I fell silent, my ears drooping slightly. “You are still young Hoarfrost, a lot of ponies say too young to hold your rank. I believe that your skill trumps your youth, as does Raven Eyes, Icewind, Kiln, and even ponies from outside of the Legion such as Captain Scorpan support my idea, but many others do not. They believe you far too reckless to be a Wolf Guard, some even believe that you should still be a Blood Hoof, and that you are only at your current rank because of your bond to me,” he cut off my retort with a raised hoof before continuing. “Outbursts like the one in the War Council only prove their point. Mark my words, if you do that again and dishonour the company and myself like that again, I will ensure that you are back in a Blood Hoof squad before the sun sets, not commanding one. Do I make myself clear?” “Yes, Wolf Lord,” I nodded, scowling slightly. “Good. Now go and see to your squad, then get some rest. Your wife will probably wish to know about your escapades today.” Wincing slightly again, I nodded before turning and walking through the camp, eventually getting to my own squads tent and watching as Bardolf came bounding up to me, fending off the wolfs signs of affection before going inside the tent, scowling at the fifteen ponies within. “Silence!” I bellowed over the noise of everypony, grabbing one of the squad’s members as he dived across the room to the pony he was fighting, stopping him in mid-air and throwing him to the floor, before glaring at the others. “We are moving out tomorrow before first light. Everything is to be stowed away and ready an hour before then, and you are all to be formed up outside of my tent by that time. Questions?” No hooves went up, and I nodded, still scowling before turning and making my ways towards my own bed, finally reaching it and flopping onto the hard mattress, stroking Bardolf’s head with a hoof as I stared up at the ceiling. “Tough day?” Gale asked, startling me as I jumped off the bed and looked at my wife, struggling to wipe my scowl off my face. “That obvious huh?” I replied, moving forward to softly nuzzle her neck, our armour scraping against each other slightly, Bardolf laying down and covering his ears at the sound. “You’ve become much easier to read than when we were in Fitjar,” Gale nodded with a smile, returning the hug, before beginning to undo the straps on her armour, placing each piece in her own footlocker as I mirrored her actions. “Come on, tell me what’s happened.” “I won the fight against the Drakeguard, I attended a War Council with my father with both the Empress, blessed be her name, and her Warmistress. I may have also flared up a bit over a decision made.” “Hoarfrost,” Gale rolled her eyes as she frowned at me. “At least tell what decision it was.” “We’re moving out tomorrow, our company, as well as the Black Ravens and the Drakeguard,” I sighed. “That’s good isn’t it?” “We’re going south, to fight Diamond Dogs,” I spat the last word, before moving to the mouth of the tent and staring out at the camp. “Minotaur’s are worthy foes, they’re strong and tough. Diamond Dogs are pathetic, their only strength is numbers.” “Then they won’t pose a challenge to us,” Gale assured me, walking up beside me and wrapping a wing round me. “I want a challenge,” I replied, before sighing and returning to the bed. “And you’ll get one when we come back here,” She assured me, before smirking slightly. “Now, I believe I told you I wouldn’t forget you starting a fight, and I mean it.” I was about to reply, before groaning and leaning back on the bed, closing my eyes for a second, before a single word passed my lips. “Crap.” I let out a roar as I brought my hammer round into the practice dummy, cracking the thick wood before spinning my weapon again, slamming it into the other side, before delivering a final overhead blow, splinters flying out of the formless dummy. It was still standing however, and letting out a snarl I dived forward, wrapping my hooves around the cracked middle, smashing through it and landing on the floor, half of the dummy still standing while the other half was beneath me as I rained blows down on the inanimate object. I unloaded all of my frustration from the previous days march on the remains of the dummy, throwing all the thoughts of being removed from the front and taken to the south to fight weaklings that the other Legions couldn’t handle. It was still driving me crazy. “Thinking of anyone in particular?” a voice asked from behind me, and I turned to look at the door to the small training room, my eyes falling upon Captain Scorpan. Panting, I got to my hooves, pulling a few splinters out of my hooves and looking at Scorpan, resting on my hammer. “Captain.” “And I thought only the Drakeguard were quite so… violent and angry,” Scorpan laughed. “You didn’t have to watch captain,” I shrugged, picking the final splinter out of my hoof before replacing my hammer in its scabbard and stretching my front hooves out. “I’ll fetch a replacement dummy for you if you wish to train?” “Don’t bother,” Scorpan shrugged. “The mess hall was calling me, but I heard someone in this room. I assumed it was Salamander.” “Sorry to disappoint.” “Come now Hoarfrost, we’ve fought together enough to build a rapport have we not? How long have I fought beside you?” “Four years,” I replied after a moments deliberation. “And how many of those have I named you friend?” Scorpan continued. “Three and a half,” I had to think about that question for a few seconds, before I nodded, content that my memory was still serving me well. “Captain Salamander is a few cages down if you still want him.” “Don’t bother, you’re a better conversation partner than him,” Scorpan snorted. “The Drakeguard and your Legion share their violent tendencies, but you can at least turn it off and become civil.” I let out a sharp laugh as I nodded, before walking beside Scorpan as we headed towards the great hall. I called out as I walked, looking around the cavernous halls before I heard Bardolf bounding after me, a towel clamped in his jaw. “Thanks boy,” I smiled, taking the towel and wiping my brow. “It still confuses me that you have a wolf,” Scorpan looked at Bardolf. “I thought you killed one of them for your initiation.” “We do,” I nodded, smiling at the memories. “Long time ago now I think about it, almost a decade.” I pointed at the cloak on my back. “This is from an old she-wolf, Bardolf was her pup. I killed his mother but I’m not a monster, and as somepony who never knew his own mother, I wasn’t going to leave him out in the cold.” “Admirable, I was told you had a soft heart,” Scorpan mused softly. “Told by who?” I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly. “Never mind,” Scorpan replied as we reached the great hall, pushing the doors open and looking at the long tables, the three Legions within more or less sticking to themselves. “I guess this is where we say goodbye captain,” I turned back to Scorpan. Scorpan looked at his own ponies, all of whom were eating in silence, before glancing at the Arctic Wolves tables and shrugging. “I’d like to see how the other Legions live when they’re at rest rather than war, if you’ll have me at your table that is. And please, just Scorpan for now, I am in your home after all.” “You want to party with the wolves then?” I smirked. “Don’t worry if you can’t keep up Raven.” “We’ll see, dog,” Scorpan laughed, before following after me as I headed to where Gale and Summit were sitting, their own squads and mine around them. Bardolf quickly scampered underneath the table, snapping up any dropped food as I sat down on the bench, Scorpan sitting beside me. “Captain,” Summit nodded as Gale smiled at my discomfort. “Little problem sitting down dear?” “None Gale,” I grimaced, before shaking my head and reaching for two tankards, passing one to Scorpan before filling mine to the top with sweet mead, licking my lips as I knocked back the foaming liquid. “You weren’t kidding about drinking a lot,” Scorpan observed as he poured his own drink. “That’s nothing,” I grinned, bearing my small fangs as I bit into a leg of meat, Scorpan looking away as he reached for anything other than meat. “Oh yeah, you southerners don’t eat meat do you?” “Not all of us evolved teeth like yours,” Scorpan replied evenly. “Plus meat just seems…inefficient. Why eat animals that have to eat food that ponies can eat naturally?” “You wouldn’t be saying that if you’d ever eaten it,” Summit chuckled, taking a swig from his own tankard. “Meat is the best thing since, well, since forever. Trust me on…” “Oi oi,” I interrupted with a smirk, my ears picking up the tell-tale signs of a song starting and downing my drink once more, slamming my tankard down as I roared the first words. There was a mare called Suri Brown. They said no pony could lay ‘er down. Over the hill came Pimping Pete. A hundred pounds of solid meat. He lay her down in the icy grass. And shoved his cock right up her arse. Now Suri Brown she had to fart. Blew his balls a mile apart. Over the hill went Pimping Pete. A hundred pounds of shredded meat! By the time the song had finished all of the Arctic Wolves had joined in, some of the members of the Drakeguard had begun to roar along wordlessly by the end, while most of the Black Ravens just looked on in confusion, Scorpan included as he watched Summit and I race to finish our mugs of mead, my own tankard slamming down a split second before Summits. “Take that!” I roared, laughing at Summit as he growled in annoyance. “How can you drink so much and still be awake?” Scorpan asked incredulously. “Just have another drink,” I smirked, noticing he had finished his tankard and quickly refilling it. “Do you ever think that you drink just a bit too much?” Scorpan asked sceptically as he looked at his now full tankard. “Do you ever think you don’t drink enough?” I shot back with a lopsided grin. “Or maybe you go into a fight thinking that you won’t give it your all? We don’t get do-overs Scorpan, not in fighting, not in drinking. Do it right first time, cause you only get one shot.” “Did somepony say shots?” one of the Blood Hoofs from my squad asked, sliding small cups of bone down the table to me, causing me to laugh. “Amended. One shot at life, but many, many shots of spirits.” “You northerners confuse me so much,” Scorpan sighed as I downed the shot. “How can you drink this much alcohol in one night? Physically I mean? The amount of alcohol in here could supply a small city for a month, and you’ll probably have finished it all by the evenings end.” “No probably about it, it will be gone, I can assure you of that,” I grinned. “As for your question, it’s just the way of the north Scorpan. In battle, we stay as long as we can, we fight as hard as we can, and we kill as much as we can. We only move on when we can’t do anything more, and when we get back to the Aesir, we start it all again, only this time, it’s with drinks like this. We eat as much as we can, we drink as much as we can, then we fight as hard as we can for the last scraps. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Makes us strong, keeps us on our hooves at all times, and it’s glorious.” “That attitude will kill you one day Wolf Guard.” “Maybe, but what doesn’t kill me isn’t trying hard enough,” I laughed, a roar going up from my own squad before I put a hoof around Scorpan, pulling him closer and using my headband to raise his tankard to his lips as I picked up my own. “Now, you wanted to see what the Arctic Wolves are like, I’ll show you. Just two words are needed.” “And those are?” he asked, eyeing the tankard floating before him warily. “Bottoms up!” I roared, before burying my face in my tankard and tipping Scorpan’s back, pouring the liquid into the pony’s mouth before getting to my hooves and letting out a roar. “Let’s drink!”