The medical ponies as I now knew they were called had finished treating my arm. The upper half of my armor was currently off, revealing the simple doublet I had created to wear under the armor had become a true velvet doublet.
It was black with white accents. It was clear it was made to be worn under armor as any form of flair was sewn as part of the doublet, making it appear as a flat shirt. It was comfortable to wear, and looked good enough for me to actually wear it to a formal event. Overall, this was one change I could easily get used to.
My arm still hurt, but at least it was bandaged and mending. Their medical skills were predictable for medieval society in terms of technology, but apparently healing spells made up for that by leaps and bounds. It obviously wasn’t completely healed, but it wasn’t bleeding at least.
Assuming my earlier guess at the ponies being between 5 and 6 feet, then that meant I was somewhere above 6 feet tall, perhaps 6’5. I wasn’t sure how tall the Princesses were, but they were taller than any other pony I had seen so far, that much I knew.
With all the changes to what had come with me to this world, I asked for a mirror. My hair went unchanged, still its usual straight black self. It travelled down just past my shoulders, same as usual. In fact, the only change was in my height, everything else only changed in proportion to that. If I didn’t know of the height change, I’d actually think there was no change to my appearance. If I had to take a guess however, I would say I was likely a bit more muscular than before.
I was roused from my thoughts by someone entering the room. I was currently still in the pony equivalent of a hospital, which is to say a single room, a sort of office/reception area, and an area for patients. When I turned to see who had entered, I saw that both of the Princesses had come to visit.
Looking quite annoyed with something, the solar Princess spoke first, “My sister tells us that you are a ‘Knight of Gwyn’ as she calls it. Is this true?”
I was taken aback by the sudden question, and I’m certain the confusion was visible on my features as she went on, “You said this to her while she visited your dreams, did you not?”
That was when I remembered what she was talking about, that’s why this lunar Princess looked familiar. I had seen her in that weird dream I had, but a question came to mind, “Wait, you mean to tell me you can enter dreams?” I looked to Luna as I said this, assuming that to be her name as she had introduced herself by that in my dream.
“As well as being the ruler of the night, we are the warden of dreams, it is only fitting that we should be able to,” came her rather simple explanation.
I merely blinked at her. “Right… Well, as for your question, I am,” I hesitated for a moment, should I admit that I wasn’t really a Knight of Gwyn? The solar diarch, as I now knew her to be, motioned for me to continue, so I quickly finished with, “I am indeed a Knight of Gwyn, though I am also the last of Gwyn’s knights.”
“If that is true, then what has become of this Gwyn, and these Knights of Gwyn?” questioned Luna.
I hesitated for a moment before looking down in mock sadness, I’d gone this far, I might as well go through with it now, “They are… no more.”
What I meant clearly sunk in, as they shared a glance between each other, not pressing the issue any further. An awkward silence took over the room, as neither of them seemed willing to break the silence, though it didn’t last very long.
“Knight Revan,” I looked up to the solar diarch as she addressed me, “we would like to request that…” She trailed off, but her sister continued for her.
“We ask that you aid us against this Dragon menace, as thou well saw, they are attacking our subjects unprovoked, with little care for the lives or property of anypony whom stands in their path.” Luna paused a moment before continuing, “We would of course be willing to compensate thee with housing, payment in the form of Equestrian bits, and of course, something to eat.”
With the way these Princesses had put it, and my own observations from my encounter with the dragon from earlier, it sounded like I’d be doing people a service by agreeing to this. Not to mention they’d just offered me payment, housing, and food. Wait, did they just say anypony? Oh I hope they don’t expect me to get used to that.
“Should thou require time to think it over, we are of course willing to await an answer.”
With a sudden conviction I said, “I want to see their crimes for myself. I refuse to judge an entire species based upon the deeds of but one creature.”
The solar diarch replied with the same conviction, only perhaps less forcefully, “Then we ask that thou accompany our sister to the outskirts of our land so that thou might see for thyself what these creatures are capable of.”
My reply was obvious, “Of course, that should be all I require to make my judgment.” If these dragons were at least somewhat good-natured, they’d at least avoid harming civilians. Right?
Luna then spoke, “As thou say. Celestia, we shall be leaving with our personal troop shortly.” Celestia nodded to that as Luna continued to me, “We expect thou have no qualms with this?”
I bowed at the waist as I said, “None at all Princess, it’s not as though I have anything to prepare.”
“Very good. Then without further ado, we believe the kitchens should be finished preparing our meal.” With that, Luna turned and left.
A moment past in silence before I spoke, “I take it I won’t be allowed to roam freely until I give my answer.” I had ensured my expression was unreadable before I spoke, and I think I got it down too.
Celestia shook her head with a frown before replying, “No, you may roam the castle grounds, followed by guards of course, but no more unless you are departing with us or my sister.”
I nodded, starting to find it difficult not to mimic the Princesses and refer to myself as ‘we’ or ‘us.’ This was a reasonable stipulation I supposed, one I wouldn’t like, but reasonable. Then I remembered how I had killed the dragon, causing a frown to crease my otherwise neutral expression.
“We understand that it is not an agree-”
I quickly interrupted Celestia, knowing what she was about to say, “No, it is not that Your Majesty. I simply can’t help but remember how I killed that dragon earlier.”
The solar Princess raised an eyebrow in question at that, I still found it odd seeing human features and expressions on an otherwise equine fa- muzzle. “Pray tell, why ever would you feel bad about saving ponies from a creature that was clearly content with killing them, simply so it could expand its hoard?”
I began to formulate my reply when the last part sunk in, “These dragons are doing this simply out of greed?” My voice was level, but deadly serious.
She nodded solemnly, “Indeed, they are driven by their desire to gather valuable gems such as rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, to name but a few. Dragons are natural hoarders, with the majority of them stealing that which they crave at the worst. However, as you yourself saw, this particular group is not the majority. They are vicious, and willing to pillage our subjects’ homes with the knowledge that Equestria is known for its abundance of gemstones.”
I paused at that, if it were true, then these dragons were no better than petty muggers, only they steal from an entire village at once. I voiced my thoughts to Celestia, “Assuming what you say is true, which as of now I have no reason to believe isn’t, then they are petty thieves, holding up entire villages and towns. Should I fail to find anything contradicting this while with Princess Luna, then I shall accept your offer Your Highness.”
Celestia nodded to me, “Tis all we ask of you, Knight Revan.”