They arrived in the small room that qualified as a triage in the boat. A kindly, but tired, earth pony mare was beside Nefertari, trying to placate her. "You're not a prisoner, miss, but you can't go, please, lay down."
Celestia nodded to the tired mare. "It's alright." Celestia's presence and kind words were enough to relax the nurse, who fled gratefully.
Her words were enough to make Nefertari spring up into a seated position with a hiss of pain. "Come to gloat? You've earned that, I suppose."
Celestia settled beside her bed, and Silver laid out beside her. "I have come to do no such thing, though I imagine you have your own boasts to make. How are you feeling?"
Nefertari chuckled softly. "Your spirit was strong, once roused. I haven't been thrashed like that in years. The spirits whisper softly, tell me you have no anger or hatred, and this surprises me. Are you not shocked, ready to seek vengeance against me?"
Silver snorted softly. "That's not how we try to behave."
Celestia nodded in agreement. "You have shown me something quite special, and I thank you for it. You've brought me and my stallion closer than before, and for that, I am grateful, even if you did it with less-than-pristine reasons."
Nefer pushed off the blanket and sat up slowly. "Is that so? Tell me then, what do you plan for me, and for my people?"
Celestia inclined her head slightly. "That depends largely on you. Have you come to tell them of war? I have proof that this is a lie." At Nefertari's dubious look, Celestia smile. She sat up and rose as she became mostly human, with those furry arms and legs and tail. She reached for Silver and pulled him up. "Let us show her a brief taste of our spirits' power."
Silver rose as Celestia guided him and latched onto that feeling of growing desire for Celestia, as a person, as a human, and as a pony all at once. He digged for that same rush of fury he felt before, but instead pushed it through that infatuation. This became easier as Celestia ran delicate fingers across his body and whispered in long ears little nothings. With a flush of desire and deepening affection, his body tingled with change.
His human spirit rose up and his form changed to match it, and soon they were hugging each other with arms and hands instead of pony legs. Her lips found his, and he eagerly returned the touch. Nefertari gawked at the exchange before a low laugh began to escape her, hysterical and a little unhinged as she began to slap the top of the bed. "You've done it, prince of the horses! Just as they said you would! You've reforged it!"
Silver wasn't sure what she meant, and couldn't focus on it. He was in a rage, as this form tended to be, but that focus was not on violence, but in a desire to love and be loved by the goddess in his arms. He was painfully stiff, and she was ready for him, and he wanted to proceed, and she agreed with every move she made. They collapsed to the ground, and only the impact shook some sense into Silver. He kissed either of her cheeks. "Celestia, my love, we have a guest."
Celestia rubbed noses with Silver gently as her legs hooked around him, her hooves pressing against the taut flesh of his back. "She can watch, if she wishes. She would watch us battle if it came to that."
"I would," agreed Nefertari. "Is it true? What you have shown me, it makes every hurt I've suffered more than worth it. Will you show me? Will you show my people? Our spirits cannot be denied. If it is not war, then show us what it is."
Celestia calmed herself slowly, still holding to Silver, but not nudging him to mount her. He held her back and snuggled with her, stiff and ready, but also holding back from making love in front of Nefertari, even if she seemed to not mind. Celestia let out a slow breath. "Love. It is a thing ponies have learned well, that the human spirit knows as well. It is a quieter emotion, easy to lose in the rush for action, protection, and vengeance, but just as vital in the end."
Nefertari frowned a little. "How disappointingly weak sounding... How will we be worthy of our spirits by following the flow of love?"
Silver sat up a little, his hands casually exploring Celestia's bountiful front. "Love lets you push through when the world tells you to stop, just like rage can, but to create. I would do anything to protect what I have with my wives, and it drives me. It got me this far."
Nefer nodded with a soft chuckle. "That it has, prince of horses. Very well, show me this love." She leaned back against the wall with spread legs, offering her hands. "Go on."
Celestia snorted loudly. "It's not that simple. You need your own lover. He's mine." She pulled Silver protectively close. "And you are no mother." Perhaps Celestia's loving thoughts were interrupted, or something else, but she became a mare underneath Silver. She was still enchanting in either form, and Silver continued to hold her gently, which she seemed to appreciate with a fond smile on her snout.
Nefertari grimaced as she stood up slowly on her feet. "Fine. I can be patient for a time. The spirits will not keep me away, not when I'm this close. Perhaps when we reach your kingdom of love, it will become easier to find such a thing capable of keeping up with me. Your nurse was quite insistent that I was not a prisoner, and I plan to hold her to that. I am going for a walk."
Silver grabbed her right hand as she went past. "Hold on. We're coming in to dock and supply, and distrust of Anubians is high. Please don't go on deck, not because of any mistrust on our side."
Nefertari crouched down and kissed him on the cheek without pause. "You're cute." This left him blushing intensely. "... for a horse," she added with a chuckle. She rose smoothly to her feet. "I will be good for you, king and queen of horses. My people need checking on." Despite her injuries, she strode from the room with her head held high.
Celestia tried to squirm out from under Silver, but he didn't want to let her go. Satisfying that burning lust felt like a better idea, and who better than his wife to do so with? He began to rub that urgent erection against her furry belly, working downwards.
She let out a soft sigh. "Your advances are... stimulating... but hold yourself, Silver Stars. I've not grown used to the idea of... all this. I think I will, in time, with you, but don't push me into it. This is a lot to accept, even if I make it look simple."
Silver brought himself to a stop almost instantly, a flush of fear of hurting Celestia running through him. "Of course. We can go at the speed you prefer." The desire for lust fled him, and he became a pony on top of her. She seemed to relax quickly, and she began to snuggle with him as a pony, which he quickly returned. "Do you think she'll be alright?"
Celestia nodded. "I think we're past the first hurdle. She is convinced I can fight if need be, which is important, she knows we have a way forward for her, and her people. I don't know if she has the mentality to ever surrender to love, but she seemed willing to at least hear it, which is enough for one day's effort."
They separated and rose up to their hooves. They ascended to the deck to see land coming in swiftly. They were approaching a city that wasn't as large as Catro, but not a small town either. Silver smiled. "They should have all the supplies we need. I imagine they'll be happy to see us, and our money."
Celestia tapped at her chin. "I should think so. The sooner we can be on our way, the better. I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing to see Equestria again."
Silver thought of those he left behind. "Of course... and my foals. I can't... I need to see them."
Celestia raised a brow. "It is easy to forget you are a father now. I would like to see them as well, these children of a human. Do you think they have this 'spirit' that you and I have? To think any foal of Twilight would have such a thing, and such strange parentage."
Silver imagined little half-human children, running around and playing in the war/love form without a care in the world. He chuckled at the thought of it. "They'll do what's right, have it or not. We'll raise them right, together, and make them ready to make their fate the way they want to. I will be the best father, and stallion, I can be."
Celestia leaned over and kissed his snout. "Of this I have little doubt."
The ship sailed in smoothly and was soon tied to one of the piers, keeping it secured in the dock. Several cats hopped aboard and quickly got to enacting minor repairs. It seemed the law had gone into effect in more than one city, as Celestia was offered a receipt to sign that would get them money for the repairs. Another approached with a sheaf of papers and took orders for supplies. Celestia pointed to the middle of the deck. "Load it all there. My ponies will take it into the ship. I want it balanced just right, and we won't take up more of your time than we already have."
Shei settled beside Celestia and Silver. "I remember this port. We traveled through it on our way to Catro. They're doing well enough for themselves."
Silver nodded. The docks seemed clean, and the workers who had serviced the ship were eager and knowledgable. "I think everything will be fine here."
Shei frowned a little. "For the cats, at least."
Silver looked over at Shei. "Well, yes. There's not much to be done for racism. It's one of the oldest injustices."
Shei sank to her belly before leaning against Silver and going quiet.
Patty Windsong trotted over to the group and flopped down beside Shei. "Why the long face, dear?"
Shei smirked ruefully. "That was a joke the cat's adored throwing at us."
Patty seemed to not get it at first before it came to her. "Oh! I get it! That's a good one." Shei's expression didn't lighten. "Cheer up. We're just taking a bit of a pit stop here, then we're off to Equestria!" She looked to Silver then. "You're looking especially good today, dear. Something have you in a good mood?"
Silver smiled gently at Patty. "Yes, it really has. Thanks. How's the trip been for you?"
Patty waved a hoof. "Bah, a bit crowded, and I never saw so many of them jackals before, but most of them are polite enough. They at least know how to play cards. I have a poker tournament going in the evenings. Now that's a lot of fun!"
Silver couldn't help but giggle at the older mare's good mood. Even Shei seemed lifted by it. Soon, they would be back on their way to Equestria.