Almost three days in, they finally arrived at the capital of Gryphonia, First Keep. Unlike Canterlot, when they chose a mountain for their home, it was logically built into the mountain, as opposed to attached half way up. The kingdom of Gryphonia was fairly mountainous region, but was blessed with many fertile valleys hidden between its high peaks.
As they closed in on the largest peak, a pair of Gryphon soldiers flew up to meet them, and once they were identified, directed them in for landing. The carriage touched down in a large courtyard, surrounded by low stone walls.
Upon exiting the carriage, they were met by the welcoming party, which consisted of Gyphron King himself, his wife, and his son. All of them were dressed in full ceremonial armour, which caused Cadance to give a knowing smirk to Shining, eliciting a grumble from him. Cadance gave a nodded low towards the king, and introduced herself;
“King Horus, I am Princess Cadance, niece to Princess Celestia, and I come in her stead. She regrets that her duties keep her from attending your Founding Day, and hopes that by sending me, you see how we are still committed allies as we celebrate the momentous day for your Grand Kingdom.”
“I can understand the needs of royal duties, and though it saddens me that your Aunt could not be here, I welcome you your Highness, and hope you enjoy your time here.” Cadance nods respectfully. “And who may your companion be?”
“This is my escort, and a member of the Canterlot Royal Guard, Shining Armor. He looks tough, but I can take him.” Shining glared daggers her way.
“Well, I bid you welcome to First Keep, and I look forward to talking more with you at dinner.” He stomped his talon a couple times, and servant appeared beside him. “Grenda, see Princess Cadance and her group to the diplomatic quarters, and see to their needs for the duration of their stay.” The female Gryphon bowed, then proceeded to direct Cadance and her company to their quarters. The pegasi were given the rooms directly next to the diplomatic wings entrance, and they helped drop off Cadance's and Shining's stuff before retiring themselves.
Both Her and Shining got their own rooms, each one designed to hold visiting diplomats or royalty, and they were equal to one of Manehattan’s fanciest hotel rooms.
“Will you need anything else, your highness?” Grenda asked.
“Only the time dinner is set for.”
“It's at seven, your highness. You can pull this rope if you have need of my services”, she pointed towards a black rope that ran down the door frame.
“Thank you Grenda.” The Gryphon bowed and left. Cadance took a seat, the first one on solid ground for almost three days, and melted into it. Using her magic, she removed her armor, and restored her regalia, relaxing by a window and observing the city below.
* * * * *
Grenda showed up a few minutes before seven, collecting both Cadance and Shining. They were led to the ‘Imperial Dining Room’, which was apparently one of five the castle held. They were offered seats to the right of the king, and were brought plates of fruits and vegetables. A large goblet was given to each of them, filled with a deep red liquid. A quick sniff told her it was wine; and if the many parties she’d attended since her arrival were anything to go by, then this one was quite a vintage. She eyed the rest of the room, the tables is a rough ‘U’ shape surrounded by the royal family, and hordes of gryphon nobles. Every single one was digging into a plate of meat as if it was their first meal in over a week, looking as if they were trying to make it an especially bloody and gory affair. Shining was starting to turn a shade green from it. Cadance turned to him, and put a hoof under his chin.
“Pony up Shining, they are doing this on purpose, trying to test your metal.” With that, she lifted a carrot and resumed eating, not bothered by the scene around her. Being a former omnivore, she was in fact a little jealous. SHe hadn't eaten meat since she got here. She continued eating and enjoying her meal, and she noticed they gory sounds grew less and less, the nobles obviously aware that their guest weren’t easily put off. King Horus decided to break the silence.
“So Princess Cadance, I’m curious to know what title you hold amongst your kin. Your aunt, Princess Celestia, is the Alicorn of the Sun, so I am wondering what you are the alicorn of?”
“I am the Alicorn of Love.” She ignored the snickers around the room, and continued: “I can see and feel the potential couples, follow love lines between strangers, and feel the love beings have for each other. For instance, the love you have for your wife and son; it feels like a warm breeze, and I can feel it radiate from you to them, and back again.” There was a definite muttering about her being the right colour for the job.
Horus smiled, and placed a wing around his wife seated next to him. “I think I understand. Yet you come dressed like a warrior.” Horus commented. “Strange for a pony with such a title.”
“I believe in tough love. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind, and sometimes love is like a war in your heart.” The King gave a nod of his head, and Cadance inwardly smiled, thinking she may have won some personality points with him, as they both returned to their meals.
-'They aren't use to dealing with a pony like me'- she thought. Dinner went on with small talk, broken up with stories of the gryphon’s great feats.
* * * * *
The next morning, Cadance had a light breakfast in her room. With nothing planned till later, she walk the castle’s halls till she stumble out into a flagstone quad, where some of the gryphon guards were sparing with wooden weapons. Shining soon located her, and together they watched the training session. She carefully observed how they moved, and noticed how often they used their talons in their fighting. Shining was making his own observations. The current bout between an eagle gryphon and a hawk gryphon ends as the hawk one is ejected from the ring. The spectating guards clap at the victory, and Cadance joined in. The sound of clip-clopping hooves catches the victors attention, and spinning around he notices Cadance has been watching him.
“Care to try your luck, miss Pretty in Pink?” His tone was almost as full of ego as Rainbow Dash, as was his confident smirk. The name got a few laughs from the crowd. Giving a smirk of her own, she got up and strode forward.
“Sure, why not.” One of Shining's hooves blocked her path.
“Why don't I take care of this Cadance. You are here to represent Equestria and Princess Celestia, we can’t have you getting hurt.”
“No, Shining I’ll be fine” She looked past Shining to the gryphon. “Besides, I think I can take him.” A few of his fellow guards chortled at his expense.
“Cadance, I can’t…”
“Now now Shining, this is just a simple sparring match” she looked towards the gryphon “correct?”
“Yes your highness. The most you will get are a few bruises, but if you’d prefer to get the armor, we can spare that dainty hide of yours.” That got a few more snickers from his fellow gryphons. Cadance kept her smirk.
“No, I don't think that will be necessary.” She moved past Shining, who lowered his head in defeat, muttering something about being banished to the moon. She just shook her head, and picked a wooden sword out from a nearby rack, before entering the ring. They both took a combat stance, and waited. Another gryphon broke the silence.
“BEGIN!”
With that, they both leapt at each other, and their swords clashed. Cadance parried, thrusted and swung her sword; her opponent blocking most blows, and answering with a few of his own.
They soon took to the air, diving and rolling, almost turning the spectacle into a type of dance. Wood met wood, the constant clacks almost like machine gun fire, only punctuated by grunts of exertion from both combatants.
Finally, Cadance did a backwards flip, trying to bring the blade to bear from below the gryphon. At the last moment, he barreled rolled out of the way. Cadance, her blade having met no resistance, was subject to momentum, causing her upwards strike to continue far past her intended arc. This forced her head and neck upwards, opening her stomach towards the gryphon. Seeing his chance, he plowed bodily into her, forcing her to the ground, and placing his blade to her neck.
“Crap.” She dropped her sword and yielded. The sword at her neck was removed, and a talon held out for her.
“You fought well, your highness. I wouldn't mind you at my side in combat.” The Gryphon complimented as Cadance took the assistance up.
“I was still hoping to win there though.”
“I've had years of combat experience, and you have just had training, correct?” She nodded. “Experience trumps training every time. But even for just training, you did very well. Take pride in that. You certainly have my respect.”
“Thanks, mister...”
“Raven Warfist.”
“Thank you Mr Warfist. It was fun sparring with you.”
“Like wise your highness.” Cadance walked over to Shining, who looked past her. Following his eyes, she and noticed the looks of respect coming from the assembled gryphons. She may have lost the match, but in the effect of the gryphons, it was small a victory for Equestria. She was happy with that.
* * * * *
Cadance spent the next few hours enjoying a long hot bath, soothing the bruises earned in the match, and man was it relaxing. When she went to dinner that evening, she noticed a huge reduction in the amount of sneering or snickering directed her way. News of her spar must’ve travelled quickly throughout the castle.
After the dinner, the king asked for an audience in the throne room. Seeing no reason to deny the request, she and Shining headed over.
The king led them through the castle, and into its throne room. While it couldn’t hold a candle to the one back home, it was still impressive. One arrival, they were led up to the throne, were the king took a seat, and offered the pair the adjacent divan. Once they were seated, he clicked his talons, and a servant appeared, holding numerous scrolls.
“Princess Cadance, I have drafted some trade proposals between our two kingdoms, and would like your input on them.”
“Of course King Horus, let me take a look.” The servant gryphon passed the scrolls to Cadance, and quickly scurried out of sight. Herself and Shining started to sift through through them. They were basic proposals on easing tariffs, and the trading of important resources.
“While I can't approve these suggestions myself, I can see the appeal of such agreements, and give them my support when I deliver them to my aunt. I don't forsee any reason for her to reject these. There maybe a few nobles who refuse, but I have little patience for them. I'll give these to my aunt when I return home.”
“That's all I can ask. Thank you. Now please, have a good nights rest princess. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“They same to you your highness.” She said with a light bow, before leaving for her quarters.
* * * * * *
The next day saw Cadance again in her armor, stood before a mirror and adjusting it to fit snugly. There was a knock at the door.
“Come in.” The door opened to reveal Shining Armour, wearing his full, and highly polished, guard armor.
“Time to go Cadance.”
“Okay, I'm coming.” She made one more adjustment before walking over to him. Tapping his armor with her hoof, she quipped “Shining Amour’s shining armour?” He gave her a shrug and a sheepish smile. Rewarded with a smirk from her, the two followed Grenda. Cadance noticed the gryphon seemed to be moving rather stiffly, and avoided look at the pair of them, so she decided to pry. “Grenda is anything wrong?”
“N-no your highness. Nothing's wrong.” Cadance gave the gryphon that dead-pan knowning look, and the gryphon wilted and caved. “It's just that I'm worried about my performance your highness. Have I displeased you in some way? You barely summoned me for any of your needs and.....” Grenda stopped when Cadance put a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Cadance eye to eye. Cadance tried to project caring and warmth.
“Grenda, you have done nothing to displease me. The reason I have barely summoned you is that I'm a very hooves on mare. I like doing stuff myself. Shining can vouch for that.”
“It's true, it drives us all crazy half the time, but it’s true.” Cadance responded by sticking her tongue out at him, earning a giggle from Grenda. Cadance turned back to Grenda, glad to see her mood improving already.
“Put your mind at ease. When I needed your help you were right on top of it. With the lunch deliveries, to guiding us around the palace. Now come on and cheer up. This is a day to celebrate the founding of your proud nation.” Grenda's spirit perked up at the reminder of the holiday, and the three continued their journey.
Grenda brought them to a large balcony, over looking the main part of the city. She was given a spot next to the king, where they and engaged in small talk with the royal family until the time came to start the ceremony.
“My fellow Gryphonians! Today we mark the three hundredth anniversary of forefathers leaving Griffonstone, and bringing to pride back to our race! Since then we have experienced a great run of prosperity! Even a nation who was once our enemy, and since turned ally, has seen fit to honour us as we celebrate our Founding Day!” He paused, and Cadance waved a hoof to the crowd below. “Now my fellow Gryphonians! Let us show the world our pride and our MIGHT!” With a a nod to the left Horus signalled to somegryphon. Cadance heard a gong, then silence. Soon though, she began to hear the sound of marching in armor, and flap of wings. A military band soon struck up; playing a cheerful tune she was sure she had heard before. Shock took over her system, as the tune started playing notes she knew all to well. She would bet her crown is was a modified version of John William’s ‘Imperial March’. Faust must be having a laugh at this, the troll. She looked closely at the armored gryphons as they flew past.
-'Nope, none in white armor. Darn, I still wish I had brought my Darth Cadance outfit. I’d fit in more.'- She gave a small shake of her head and sat back to enjoy the show.
The march was impressive, hundreds of gryphons in armor either marched or flew passed, almost blotting out the sun at times. Gryphonia was not a nation to be trifled with, but neither was Equestria. God have mercy whoever gets both nations mad at them.
* * * * * *
After an hour the march was over, finished with the equivalent of a Wonderbolts spectacular air and a fireworks show. When that was all said and done, there was a hearty meal. It was strange; this whole holiday was an alcohol free event. This meant that when it was time for them to return to Equestria, everyone was able to see the, off. King Horus and his family even hugged them goodbye.
“Have a safe trip home Princess Cadance.”
“Thank you your highness. May your reign be long and glorious.” She secured her stuff, and took her spot next to Shining and with a double tap of her hoof the carriage took off. She waved at King Horus and his family as they waved back, until both parties were out of sight. She sat back and sighed.
“It’s good to be going home again.”
“Indeed Cadance. I need to see my L.S.B.F.F.” That earnt a facehoof from Cadance, before she got an evil grin on her face.
“So shall I start with 100 bottles of Cider, or 1000?”
“WWAAAAAAAAGGGHH!” All five of her companions wailed, causing the alicorn to laugh.