Much of the ground was still trampled from our previous training session. The typically pristine snow was dirty and coarse, mixed with the debris from the forest floor. The glade was otherwise undisturbed in the last hours of daylight, and ready for us to resume our exercises.
Starshadow entered ahead of me, levitating her packs off of her back and setting them down against a tree at the edge of the clearing. “Having reviewed the basics, I believe now is a good time to test your abilities.”
The snow was so matted down it made no noise beneath my hooves. “I, um… okay? I mean… alright? What should I do?”
“This will be a simple exercise to teach one very important lesson.” Her horn glowed, and her own hoof blade, the simple metal piece, emerged from her satchels. Slipping it onto her hoof, she struck down into the snow. “The rules are simple. We shall fight until you are able to hit me, or until you give up.”
My eyes went wide. “H-hit you? S-starshadow… I… um… I don’t know if I… I don’t know if I’m ready for that?”
She lowered her snout, her eyes watching me from beneath her forelock. “Do you give up already?”
I straightened up, “N-no… of course not.” I shrugged off my flight satchel, digging in to retrieve the Bracer before affixing it to my hoof.
“Then I will not make it easy for you. But I promise that I shall not injure you,” she paused, giving that rare, mirthless smile. “Lethally.”
My hoof shook just a little as I set my Bracer in place. I sighed, stretching my limbs as I positioned myself into an awkward defensive stance. “Th-that um… that’ll have to do, I guess.”
I swallowed nervously.
Starshadow paced a bit at first, watching me as I watched her. She bounced, balancing a moment upon her hind legs. Her eyes stayed on me the whole time as she walked.
I tried to maintain my posture, but her casual gait and piercing stare made that even harder. She seemed to almost leave herself open, but still I waited, unsure what to do.
“Come, Night. You cannot hit me if you do not attack.” She bounced on her hooves again, almost anxiously. “And let me assure you, you really do not want me to take the initiative.”
I took a few cautious steps forward, not wanting to immediately jump in, but still not sure how to start. I hesitated a moment, but maybe that was all part of the test. I didn't even know what Starshadow was really capable of. If she wanted to know what I could do, what sense was there in stalling?
Swallowing my fear, I jumped forward. My wings unfurled, pushing me upward to raise my forehooves and extend the hoofblade to slash at Starshadow.
Like lightning, her own blade emerged. She hopped back just enough to raise her blade and parry with a great “Aha!”
Her deflection pushed me back far harder than I’d expected. I flapped my wings quickly to recover, but struggled to keep my balance.
Starshadow settled back down and resumed her relaxed stance.
I set my hooves down as I leveled myself out, then rushed back as soon as I was able. I feinted left, then stabbed forward at Starshadow’s side.
She stepped aside, knocking my hoof away with a downward parry. My hoof wavered, the force of Starshadow’s parry like a hammer up the length of my leg. I had nearly lost my balance, rear hooves flailing to find purchase as my wings worked to level me out. As she let my hoof fly wide, she made as if to strike, but stopped short. “You are open.”
As I managed to steady myself, I looked up. Starshadow rushed at me faster than I thought any unicorn could move, her own hoofblade flashed through the air, and I stumbled back further.
“That is twice now.” She drew back, the blade on her forehoof disappearing as she settled back onto all fours.
I paused, pulling myself together, back on the defensive. “T-twice?”
Starshadow pointed a hoof to my left, “There. On the ground.”
I carefully tracked her hoof, letting my eyes look to where she pointed, while trying to keep her in my peripheral vision. On the ground lay a small clipping of brown hair. It only took a second to realize it had been cut from my mane in Starshadow’s last strike.
“Had I aimed just a bit closer, that would have been the second time you had been killed in this encounter.”
Her words were said so matter-of-factly, they were chilling. I looked down at the clipping of hair again and shuddered.
“Three, were I to take advantage of this distraction.”
I quickly looked back at her. “B-but… You… I’ve barely begun training. You’ve trained… h-how long have you trained, anyway?”
She bowed her head, eyes never leaving mine. “Much of my life, to be honest. Now, then, enough talk.” She bent down, spreading her hooves into an aggressive stance.
I stepped back. “B-but… I can’t win. There’s no way.”
Starshadow advanced, step for step with my retreat. “Surely, you’re not holding back? You did catch my sister to pass the trials of Knighthood, did you not?”
“I…” I had not. I didn't even know what that trial had consisted of, as Merri had all but lied to her sister to see to my knighthood. My ears dropped. “W-well…”
Rising out of her stance back to her full height, Starshadow nodded. “As I suspected. Merriweather was not exactly forthcoming to me about the nature of your trial.”
I dropped my eyes, focusing on the trampled ground. “I… I didn't even know there were supposed to, um… be trials. Not until… until she was already lying. I just... I thought...“
“Thought what?” She relaxed, trotting through the snow towards me.
Had I thought that I was somehow worthy of knighthood? That I was at all capable of this? That I could ever manage to do anything right? No.
“I… j-just thought… I…” I saw Dusky. Mahogany. Terrabona and Bree. “I just… I wanted to be able to do something to protect my friends…”
Starshadow smiled at me, and raised her hoof to set on my side. “So you have said. Were you doing this for some misguided sense of glory, or lust for adventure, you would not have been worth making a knight of Ostfriesen.”
“But… I…” I shrugged away from her, turning my head. A part of me wanted that life of adventure and glory. And another part of me knew it was all a lie, especially after what had happened in Fetlock. The promise I’d made to Dusky echoed back in my mind. “I don’t know.”
“This test had two purposes, Night Flurry.” She withdrew her hoof and stepped away, counting her hoof once. “First, I did wish to confirm that she had not given you the test proper. I find it curious that she seems so interested in assisting you beyond her… usual intentions.”
I flushed slightly at the implications. “Sh-she’s of no interest to me. N-not like that, I mean. But… Merri and I… we’re friends.” I tilted my head back towards Starshadow. “I mean… so are we, right?”
Starshadow seemed taken aback. “Friends?” She pondered a moment. “Do not think that means I shall go easy on you in training.”
I shrank away, fearing I‘d somehow overstepped. “I wouldn't want it to mean that… I just… I thought… we’re talking, like this… and… with how much you were helping me… well… you keep sitting at our table in the bar. So, um… you must like our company...”
She looked at me curiously, raising an eyebrow. “Well… yes. You have treated me with respect. Dusky was one of the few who showed genuine interest in me and my homeland, and Sister seems to get along with Mahogany and Terrabona quite well. I suppose we could be… friends.”
At that moment, I could swear a hint of color reached her cheeks, and Starshadow actually appeared flustered. I gave her a short nod, and waited for her to recover.
I waited for her to continue, but Starshadow had gone quiet, and didn't seem in any rush to continue. I quietly tried to get her to resume. “You, um… said this lesson was for… two things?”
“Oh! That is correct. I would be remiss if I had not told you the most important portion of this exercise.” She counted her hoof twice. “Second, you could have easily won this encounter.”
My jaw dropped. “I-I could? How? You completely outclass me… Th-that was a hopeless fight.”
“Exactly.” She seemed quite pleased with herself. “Knowing defeat was inevitable, you could have refused to fight. I did give you the option to give up, if you recall, although I admit I deceived you slightly in my intent.”
“N-not fight?” I raised my hoof to look at the bracer. “But… what if I have to? I mean, isn't that the whole point of this?”
She nodded. “In part, yes. But another aspect of your training is not just to know how, but to know when you should bring force to bear.”
Starshadow lifted her hoof, removing her hoofblade carefully with her magic. “Every encounter will be different. But knowing that if you are not in an advantageous position, that nopony else would be hurt or held hostage by your inaction, there are times it is better to flee.”
“T-to flee? That just doesn't seem um… very knight-like... ”
“Perhaps not.” Starshadow continued. “But I am not training you to die. As a pegasus, you could easily evade an earth pony or unicorn. Or at the very least, you could lead them to a location where you may hold an advantage. Remember this, Night Flurry. Live and learn.”
I let what she was saying sink in. Old words crept into my mind from a past life. A hero wouldn’t run. A hero would stand, and fight. The talk with Dusky on the train from Fetlock suddenly came to the fore. And… die.
Something didn't add up. If that was what Dusky believed, why had she stood her ground at Fetlock Falls. Then it hit me. “Oh… Luna…”
My injured wing. She would have fled, just like Starshadow said. Except then I’d have been left alone. My stupidity, jumping out to try and save her, could have gotten her killed in the long run.
“Night Flurry? Are you alright? You have gone pale.” She moved closer.
I quickly nodded, doing my best to shake off the dark thoughts. “Y-yeah. Yeah… I just… you’re right. You’re so right….”
“Quite. Keep that in mind, Night Flurry. Are you ready to continue?”
I straightened up, checking the bracer to be sure it was secured. “I… yeah. Let’s go.”
Starshadow replaced her own bracer and nodded. “Very well. We shall continue with the basics. I will have you go through the practice drills now, then I wish to show you some basic dodges.”
I pushed the terrible feelings down and focused on Starshadow, beginning the drill regimen she had showed me the day before. Dusky had put her life on the line for me. I didn't want to ever put her in that position through my ineptness again. More than that, I wanted to be sure that if the day ever came that she needed me to do the same for her, I would be there for her.
---
Training, work, and sleep were all kind of a long, tired blur. After I finished up with Starshadow, I headed in for my shift. It turned out slightly longer than usual, as we received some new snow clouds that had to be set into place for the morning team. My whole body felt sore, but I was too tired to care. I wanted nothing more than to climb into my cloud bed and curl up tight. Sleep came quickly once I got home.
I meandered my way to the Lusty Seapony the next night as soon as I woke up. Curious how this has become such a habit so quickly. Merri was there, along with Starshadow, and Bree had made the trip down as well, though she still sat somewhat apart from the other two.
She waved as I came in, smiling as I gathered my tea and finally settled in at the table. “Heya, Night! You been thinking about what I said?”
I nearly dropped my teacup, having all but forgotten about Bree’s talk in the weather office. “Err, not exactly. I've… actually been waiting to talk, um… with Dusky. J-just to get another weather pony’s opinion on um… the whole thing, you know?”
She grinned. “Right. I’m sure that’s all you want to talk to her about.”
“Err… yeah. Maybe a few other things too.” I sighed. “Honestly… I’m starting to get a little worried.”
As if on cue, Starshadow looked past me as the bar door creaked open. She bowed her head in greeting. "Ah. Hail, Dusky."
My ears perked up. "D-Dusky?" I turned in my seat, waving a hoof at the familiar mare. "Oh! Hey, Dusky!"
She slipped in, closing the door behind her with a quick look back towards the street. She looked over the table at the group and smiled tiredly.
As I gave her a closer inspection, I noted the bags under her eyes. Her mane looked unkempt as well, as if she’d not had the time to brush it the past few days. I blushed a bit at that thought. "You, um... you okay, Dusky? You... s-seem kind of tired..."
"I'm okay. I've... just been flying for awhile and had a few long nights lately." She looked at each of us in turn before her gaze settled on Bree. "I found a few things out that you may be interested in, Blizzard."
Bree blinked, looking about the table at the rest of us before nodding. “Me? Err… sure. What’s up?”
Dusky glanced about the bar cautiously, then leaned in closer. "Although, I'd actually like to talk to all of you. In private."
Without another word, she slipped away from the table. After a quick word to the Barkeep, she motioned us towards the rear of the bar, into the private rooms. Bree stood to go, giving me a confused shrug before heading over. Merri and Starshadow exchanged glances, then followed after as well
My mind was piecing together the worst scenario. Somehow, Bree had been framed for some horrible crime, and Dusky was here to warn her before the Guard arrived. Or perhaps, having found Dusky in Fetlock, the whole of the Leaf Cartel was after us. I spared a look at my flight satchels as I trotted to the back room. No matter what the truth is, I'll be here for her.
Dusky waited at the entrance, giving the commons one more glance before she closed the door. She waited, ears twitching slightly as she listened. My thoughts strayed to when she'd pulled me back here alone, and Terrabona had attempted to eavesdrop. Dusky's caution now seemed more foreboding than it had then.
We sat, waiting, until Dusky was at last satisfied with whatever events were transpiring outside. She came to the back table where we'd arrayed ourselves and dug her snout into her satchel. At last, she carefully pulled out a bound scroll and gently set it upon the table.
She unfurled the scroll, facing it towards Bree, before leaning her forehooves upon the table to smooth it flat.
I tilted my head in to take a look at the paper. It was covered in long, written notes, numbers, and various detailed math work. I strained to read through it. My experiences at the weather college included more than enough math and science, but I couldn't recognize exactly what this paper was trying to tell us.
Dusky answered the question before I could ask. "This is a chemical analysis confirming a sample of plant extract I found."
Of all the things I’d expected her to reveal, this wasn't one of them. "A... plant?"
She nodded, either not noting my confusion, or too worked up with the answers she'd discovered. "The more I thought about it, the harder it was to shake the feeling that the Cartel’s presence and the vandalized ice were somehow connected."
Starshadow was rapidly reading through the scroll. "Intriguing... then this extract was mixed into the ice?"
"Yes," Dusky confirmed. "Ghost Leaf’s a powerful hallucinogen. A favorite among the rave crowd. And worth a pretty bit."
With a snort, Merri shook her head. "We don't have that kind of stuff back in Ostfriesen." When Starshadow shot her a grim look, Merri gave a quiet cough. "Just... different stuff. Which the queen has outlawed, of course..."
Dusky nodded solemnly. "There was another ice sculpting competition in Hoofington." She paused. "I got a sample from their warehouse, and had a friend in Canterlot confirm my suspicions. That's where that analysis comes in."
Drugs. The Leaf Sister Cartel wasn't just thugs, or criminals, murderers. Drug pushers. My hooves shook. Killing somepony was terrible, an unforgivable act, but for the victim, it was over. Getting a pony addicted to drugs though, it was like you took control of them, twisted them, made them something they weren't and then exploited that. I’d always found that far more horrifying. "M-monsters..."
Starshadow pursed her lips and nodded towards Dusky. "Then you shall have to turn this over to the proper authorities, yes?"
She lifted a hoof back, taking the scroll off of the table. She paused, taking a moment to steady herself. "Yes, I… I think I have to. Especially since there can be little doubt about the connection. Two nights ago, Hoofington's display was also vandalized, and its surplus destroyed.
Bree stared down at the scroll, her face expressing her confusion. “Why would they be smuggling it in ice blocks? Why bother sabotaging sculpture festivals?”
Dusky tapped a hoof against the table, “I don’t know why they’re using the ice. Maybe their old methods of smuggling just aren’t discreet enough. As for the sculptures… well, my guess is they did it to cover up for the theft and make it look like full-on vandalism.” She looked up, taking a deep breath. “And before anyone asks, yes, there was a Guard detail assigned to the display. I... stumbled across one of the corpses on the way out."
Scowling, Bree shook her head. “Bastards. All seems a bit elaborate to me… but I guess I can see the logic. As twisted as it is.”
I barely heard Bree, Dusky’s words had nearly knocked my breath out. They'd killed somepony to enable them to spread their poison. They'd killed a Guard, and Dusky had...
The shaking of my hooves persisted, but suddenly it wasn't just anger that fueled it.
"D-Dusky... th-that means... you..." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "You put yourself there? I-Into that level of danger? W-without telling us?"
To my surprise, she looked away from me. "I'm sorry, Night Flurry. Time was of the essence. I hadn't expected them to raid the warehouse that night."
I pointed a hoof, anger pouring out before I could think. "We... We could have helped! Y-you go, telling me not to play the hero, and... I listen! B-because... I care about you... and then you put yourself back into that kind of danger without even telling us what might have happened?"
She raised her head back to meet my eyes. "If I had waited, the surplus would have been gone. If I had hesitated at all, they would have secured the perimeter before I could get in."
Part of my mind wanted to stay angry at her, but more I was just relieved she'd made it home. Her eyes were hard, I couldn't help myself as my concern overwhelmed the anger and I broke her gaze. "I... I just don't want anything to happen to you. But... you're right..."
"I understand." She smiled a sad and gentle smile. "If it makes you feel better, my good luck was on par with my bad. They were so surprised that I didn't even need to draw my weapon."
Starshadow nodded. "The best kind of luck. I am glad you managed to avoid any significant confrontation."
"Yeah!" Merri cheered, a bit too enthusiastically. "You'd have kicked their flanks anyway, right? So what do we do?"
Dusky sighed, her exhaustion more pronounced. "We can't do anything. If our little group tried to oppose them, we'd be crushed." She looked down at the bar floor, and suddenly she was far away, somewhere else. "Trust me when I say I know what I'm talking about."
I grew silent. Nothing we could do. Not even with Merri and Starshadow. This was a terrifying organization; what good could five ponies do against it?
And yet... Dusky had done something. The sample, the chemical analysis, she'd taken a step, even knowing she couldn't oppose them directly, she still fought. She'd found something that could help bring the ponies responsible for all these tragedies to justice.
Bree let out a tired sigh, but raised her head to give Dusky a smile. “Thank you, Dusky. You put a lot of work into this, I can tell… and it means a lot to me.” She stood from the table and wrapped Dusky into a full hug, forehooves and wings. Responding in kind, Dusky hugged her back.
“I’m happy that it does. I… I wish I could do more. Really get them into the public eye. But the last time I tried that…” She started, looking away as she pulled out of the hug. “Let’s just say that it didn't end well.”
Bree pulled her wings back and sighed. With a sidelong glance at Merri, she smiled guiltily. “I suppose I owe you an apology. I just thought it was you and some drunks being stupid.”
With a giggle, Merri waved a hoof. “Don’t worry about it… Not the first time I've been accused of getting drunk and accidentally smashing something.”
Starshadow cleared her throat and gave Merri an ungentle nudge.
Merri coughed. “Oh. But yeah, I mean… I am sorry about what happened.”
“As long as I know it wasn't just some ponies being stupid, it’s fine.” Bree shrugged sadly, but gave Merri a sympathetic look. “I’ll live.”
Dusky shifted her weight to ensure her bags were in place and rose from the table. "Now, the real tough part will be finding someone in the Guard who I can absolutely trust. Or at least trust enough to not burn the report as soon as I leave."
I started as the realization that had been creeping up finally hit me. Absolutely trust. My voice slipped out in a choke. "I... I kn-know somepony."
Dusky turned her attention to me, her ears perked up. "You do? Someone you'd entrust all of our lives to with complete certainty?"
"I... absolutely." There was no question of trust. I knew I could trust this pony with anything. The question was if he'd even want to see me. "I trust him."
"A shame." Starshadow rose up. "It would have been interesting to engage with this Cartel."
Merri giggled, shaking her head. "C'mon Sis’, weren't we going to practice your whole non-interference thing? They're handling things just fine."
Her sister gave a quiet sigh. "I suppose. But should our friends be harmed, those responsible shall get the worst of us."
Dusky watched Starshadow carefully, giving her a steady stare. "No. That's too dangerous. This isn't about revenge. I needed to know they weren't after me or my friends. And to soften the collateral they wreaked upon Blizzard. We'll pass on the information to Night Flurry's contact, and then leave it be."
Starshadow relented, leaning back from the table. "So be it."
Dusky let out a deep breath. "Good. That's all. Thanks for listening, all of you." She smiled at me a moment longer. "And could you stay a moment, please, Night Flurry?"
"Er... s-sure?" I stayed put as Bree left, and Merri and Starshadow excused themselves from the back room.
Merri paused at the door and winked back, mouthing out "Good luck" as she shut the door behind her. I rolled my eyes.
Apparently Dusky had seen Merri as well, as she shook her head. She waited a moment after the door closed, then turned her attention back to me. "All right, about your contact in the Guard: you're sure they can be trusted?"
I took a moment to gather myself together. "Y-yes. I do. He's a Captain in the Solar Guard. I... I would trust him completely." My ears dropped slightly. "H-he and I... we just..." I paused, unsure how to tell this to Dusky without making her turn away from me. At last, I sighed. "We haven't spoken in a long time."
She narrowed her eyes at me, and I could practically see her calculating. “How can you know he’s trustworthy if you haven’t spoke to him in so long?”
I almost cringed, but I knew it wasn't an accusation. How could it have been? Dusky didn't know about him. “He… he never let me down. I know he’s trustworthy… A-and we lost touch because… I was the one who stopped reaching out.”
For a moment, she seemed taken aback, although she quickly recovered. "Then, as long as you're comfortable setting up the meeting, this should work."
"I... Yes. I don't mind. I... I'll write a letter tonight." It'll probably be a short letter, anyway. "And... I'll let you know once he wants to meet with us."
She raised an eyebrow. "Us? You sure? You wouldn't have to come, especially if you're uncomfortable."
"No." I knew I'd have to see him. That much was certain. "I'll come too... if um... if that's alright with you?"
"He's your contact. If you think it's best, then sure." She smiled, then rose and stretched a bit. "I think I'll go and get a drink. I've had a long last few days. I could use a little relaxation."
I nodded blankly as she moved towards the door, and flailed to get my hooves working, following after her as we slipped out of the back room. "R-right. I'm... I'm going to h-head home. Get that letter written."
"Thanks again, Night Flurry. You have a good night."
"Y-you too. And Dusky... t-take care." I lowered my head, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "B-be careful."
"You too." She stopped to give me a weary wave as I headed towards the bar door. Dusky's revelations only made me want to push ahead with my training, but that'd have to wait. I'd meet up with Starshadow a little later, once I'd finished writing my letter.
A letter to a Captain of the Equestrian Solar Guard, the greatest pony I knew, one who I could never match up against. He was a pony I could trust absolutely, but whom I had turned away from long ago. Captain Noble Light, My father.