One perk of being in Haven was how quiet it was in general. Canterlot had a lot of hustle and bustle that, regardless of the time, you couldn’t really escape. It was one of the few things about home that I didn’t miss.
After a meal downstairs and a hot shower, I had settled on the couch in the suite to wait for the princess. The suite itself was unchanged from my last visit. It was still immaculately kept and appropriate for an alicorn of the night. The moonlight-themed tapestries and curtains were on prominent display and all of the furniture was covered in dark blue upholstery.
Much to my surprise, Princess Luna had settled Willowy in a different room and kept the smaller, second bedroom available for me. It was a nice gesture and would probably annoy her assistant to no end. I was completely alright with that, of course.
I went through all that I wanted to tell Princess Luna over and over again, trying to get it all straight. A lot had happened in nine weeks. It was going to be hard to know what to bring up first.
The door opened and I stood up and off the couch as the princess came inside.
“Good evening, Silent Knight. I see you found your room again.”
I nodded. “Yes, Princess, I appreciate you keeping it for me.”
“I could not imagine any other roommate.” She removed her satchel and slipped out of her hoofguards.
I remained standing and just watched, more or less. It was an old habit, standing in her presence. Plus, as friendly as we were towards each other, she would always be the princess and I would always show her due respect.
Princess Luna stretched her wings and then nestled on the large blue pillow that dominated most of the sitting area. “Now, what news do you bring me?”
Alright, Silent Knight, you’ve been through this several times. Tell her about Midnight’s Peak and then hit her with the engagement to disarm her. Or should I soften her up first with the engagement?
“Silent Knight?” Princess Luna was looking at me. I was doing that thing again where I stood in silence working out all of my options.
“Yes, Princess, I’m sorry. Would you like to hear about news of the realm or news of myself first?”
She drummed her forehooves on the floor while she thought it over. Finally, she replied, “I suppose I should hear news of the realm.”
Anger first, then. “Do you recall the reports crossing your desk about dragons arriving to Alicorn Spire? A few at first, and then more and more?”
“I do. Obsidian dragons, I believe? It was fine, I thought.”
“Yes, well, it was fine, when it was two or three of them. The mountain is certainly big enough. By the time I returned from leave, it was closer to sixty and they were looking to roost. Suffice to say, that the civilian leadership was getting quite upset and pestering the regional commander for a resolution as soon as possible.”
Princess Luna’s ears stood tall and focused on me.
No questions? Alright, then. “So Sunny Day, still in command of the palace, was run ragged. Regional command pushed it down to her. She asked me to get rid of the dragons. So… I did.”
The princess blinked. “Get rid of? You got rid of sixty dragons? Forgive me, Silent Knight, you are an accomplished warrior, but how did you get rid of them?”
Here we go. “Well, warrior skills didn’t come into play here. I took a page from the book of harmony and decided that it was better to negotiate. The dragons felt they had a valid claim to live in the Spire.”
“Is that so?” Her head tilted to one side.
I shrugged lightly. “That’s what their matron, Ragnhild, said.”
“Ah. I know of Ragnhild.” Princess Luna’s lips drew into a tight, thoughtful line. “If she says they have a claim, then it must be so.”
I cleared my throat and continued, “However, they were willing to move if I gave them something of equal value.”
“What could possibly be of equal value to Alicorn Spire?”
As plainly and as clearly as I could, I replied, “Midnight’s Peak.”
The princess’s breath caught and her eyes went momentarily wide. “What!” She took a deep inhale and forced herself back into her normal, calm state. Her ear twitched. A subtle tell. “And Celestia agreed it was necessary to trade it?”
“Well, no.”
“No?” she asked, brow furrowing.
“Yes. No. I didn’t consult her before I made the deal. Sunny said to get rid of the dragons. I was standing in the cave, alone, negotiating with their matron, and I had to think fast on my hooves. So, I made the proposal, she accepted, and Princess Celestia blessed it.”
I turned my head so that only one eye was facing her, and it squinted a bit as I waited to be hit with a pillow or some such equally safe projectile.
Instead, the princess just stared at me. She looked… broken. “You traded away Midnight’s Peak?” she finally asked in a quiet voice. “That was what you chose to offer? The dragons accepted and left?”
“Yes,” I replied, still bracing for impact. “Their matron swore that Nocturna’s keep would remain intact. I’m… I’m sorry, Princess.”
Princess Luna sighed and looked at her hooves. Her mane seemed less bright as she sat there in silence with a deeply complex series of emotions playing across her face.
Her shoulders heaved with another great sigh, her head slowly shaking from side to side. “Do not apologize Silent Knight. You were given a mission and you completed it. That is what you do. I just… wish I had been there to have my say in it. The idea of giving up Midnight’s Peak is... devastating. It was my home, after all.”
I turned back to face her, guilt welling in my stomach. She had tears in her eyes. “I didn’t know that.”
“Indeed, you did not. It was not something I had shared and probably should have.” She wiped the tears away with a hoof. Now, I wished she had been angry. Anger would have been easier to deal with.
“I shouldn’t remain attached to things like that if it means protecting my ponies. It was a barren town that you traded to reduce strife in our capital. It was a wise decision even if it was made in great haste.” She sniffled.
“Yes, Princess,” I replied before adding, “You may visit any time. I negotiated those rights.”
She half-smiled at me and nodded. “Of course you would. That isn’t really what I was worried about. Though it may be foolish, I imagined that one day, Midnight’s Peak would be restored to its former glory, that I would sit on Nocturna’s throne, and the nox ponies would thrive.
“That doesn’t seem likely, though. The nox ponies are comfortable in Haven, and even though her doors now stand open, few have ventured forth. Perhaps in a few generations…” She sighed and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now. You did what had to be done. So be it.”
“I hope so,” I replied, now feeling a bit sick to my stomach. I’d given away something so important to the princess just to solve a problem quickly. Something I could never get back.
“Is there any other royal business?” the princess asked, her expression returning to one of even disinterest.
Torn from my thoughts, I replied, “Nothing of that level of significance, Princess. I dropped all of the smaller stuff off with Willowy so she can work through it and bring it to you.”
The alicorn nodded. “That suits me fine. Then you have news of your vacation? I am most pleased with my earrings, but I’m certain they were quite expensive. We’ll look to fixing that expense when we return home.”
That would be wonderful. Although, now it felt wrong, taking her bits after giving up her home. I’d been standing the whole time waiting to be dressed down.
Since our official business was concluded, I crossed the room and settled in front of her. Lightly, I rested my forehooves over hers.
“I’m really sorry,” I whispered.
She squeezed my hooves and shook her head. “You couldn’t have known. You completed the mission in front of you. That is what makes Silent Knight, Silent Knight. It is commendable, really.”
I wasn’t sure how to answer that. It was a fact. Guilt might weigh heavily on me for this, but I didn’t want it to ruin the evening. It had been so long since I’d seen the princess, and I wanted to tell her about so much more. Right then, I had to bring both our spirits up again.
“I proposed marriage to Crystal Wishes and she accepted,” I blurted, looking up at her.
Princess Luna gasped and whatever sorrow or regret she was feeling seemed instantly gone. She squeezed my hooves in hers and pulled me closer. “Silent Knight! You did so? You didn’t even hint to me you were thinking of such!”
“I wanted it to be a total surprise for her. If I’d told you, you may have found yourself in a position where you had to lie to her.”
The princess bobbed her head in a begrudging nod. “This is a huge step, Silent Knight. You two have not been dating that long. Are you certain about this?”
She was right, of course, which was secretly another reason why I hadn’t told anypony other than Runic prior to the proposal. Crystal and I had only been dating seven months or so, but we’d made up for a lot of lost time. We’d been pining for each other at least a year before that.
“I’m not certain about much these days, Princess. I’ve found myself stepping into things I never imagined I would, but I am certain I love her. Proposing is the only thing I’ve done lately I know was right.”
The princess’s grip on my hooves tightened as she smiled wide. “Well, that is certainly the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard you say. Crystal is good for you. I have little doubt that you two are right for each other. To be honest, I was worried you might move too slow. You are a cautious, calculating pony, after all.”
I chuckled at that and smiled up to her. “Thanks, I think. I just… well. After the cockatrice attack, when I thought she was hurt… or worse… I couldn’t imagine anything more horrible than that. Being apart from her, I mean. We’d waited so long already, and I wasn’t willing to wait any longer before making it clear to her how I really felt. I was worried that some other pony might swoop in.”
She leaned in to nuzzle my cheek. “Good for you, then. Though I doubt she’d cast you aside so easily, engaged or no. Have you set a date?”
“No, I really just wanted her to know how serious I was.” I shrugged. “I’d prefer to be married sooner than later, but I also want to make certain she gets the wedding she wants.”
Princess Luna nodded. “I understand. Well, you absolutely must allow me to hold a shower for you two.”
My ears flicked. “Do I have a choice?”
“No, not really.” She smiled.
“Then I most eagerly accept.”
The alicorn let my hooves go before looping her own around me to hug me close. “Huzzah! You’re getting married! Just think, mere weeks ago you were a foal. I think I like you better that way.”
My nose scrunched up and I tried to push her away. “That was a dream, Princess. I was a foal in a dream! Please don’t make me one again in my dreams tonight. I do not want that.”
“It could happen on its own, you know.”
I frowned up at her. “I’ll suspect you regardless.”
Princess Luna set her chin between my ears and huffed, “I shouldn’t have told you.”
“It speaks volumes that you did.” I paused a moment before asking softly, “Would you mind telling me something else?”
She let go and leaned back to look at me. “Of course. What do you wish to know?”
“Well… you were once a unicorn. Now you’re an alicorn. How did that happen?”
The princess’s nose wiggled. It looked for a moment like I was about to get the speech about how I didn’t need to know. Then she shrugged. “To be quite honest, I don’t have a clue.”
“Truly?” I asked.
“Truly. You see, when I say I was once a unicorn, I mean I was once a unicorn for a long time. I lived a full life.”
“In the stained glass, you looked young and beautiful. You were an old unicorn?”
Princess Luna set her hoof on my nose and pushed my head back slightly. “Thank you ever so much, Silent Knight. I was beautiful into my old age. So was my sister. Although… she passed around that time. I remember that.”
Carefully, I swatted at her hoof, but the silliness took a rather quick turn towards the serious. My ears folded back. “She died?”
“She did. And, I suppose, so did I.”
I didn’t like the thought of that. Not one bit. “And then?”
“I just woke up. All of the old aches were gone and I was a foal again. Only now, I was an alicorn, and the details of who I was before were fuzzy. I’d lost much of myself. I am both the same pony and not. I’m afraid I wasn’t under Nocturna’s care long enough for it all to be explained to me. A lot was going on back then.”
I couldn’t imagine it, losing myself like that. Then I had a thought. “Is Princess Celestia really your sister? Was she the same sister?”
Princess Luna smiled. A warm, genuine smile that seemed to be filled with fondness and peace. “Without a doubt: yes. For as much of me that was gone, I remembered her. She was waiting for me, you see. The moment our eyes met, I was almost certain. Then she hugged me and all doubt vanished.”
“That is incredibly sweet,” I said softly.
The princess nodded and looped her hoof back around me. “Yes. We had been so close in life. Being reunited was just a miracle. Nocturna always told me that the bond Celestia and I shared was our most powerful gift and that, together, we would heal all wounds.”
I wasn’t sure what that meant exactly, but I knew it was important. There was likely a reason to pick sisters to be alicorns. Assuming picking was how it even worked.
I leaned up against the princess and settled in. It was good to be back at her side, even if it was potentially for a shorter period of time than I’d imagined.
“Luna?” I asked quietly.
She looked at me in surprise. I’d used just her name without being badgered to do so. “Yes?”
“I want to talk to you about something that has been going on with me. I’ve been a bit frightened to do so. Please just let me get it out.”
“Of course, Silent Knight.”
How do you explain to somepony you look up to that you’ve been working on a secret operative squad to ensure justice was served? What would she think of me? Still, maybe if she knew, we could work on it together. Possibly in an official capacity. Things could go differently.
Idly, I rubbed one hoof over the other. Keeping the secret of how I felt was starting to become overwhelming. Alastair had changed me, and I just couldn’t get past it. Nothing had been the same after that day. He loomed over me like a shadow.
“It is alright, Silent Knight, you can tell me anything,” she said in a gentle voice.
I could. I could tell her anything. Probably. Maybe.
No. I was Silent Knight. I always completed the mission. I couldn’t let her know that I was weak and that I was still living in the last engagement.
A royal guard should be able to handle something like that. Telling her would be foolish. If I did and we worked together, it would put blood on the hooves of a princess.
Not my princess. I was her ardent guardian. I could never allow that.
It would have been better to keep my mouth shut. Now, I was committed to telling Princess Luna something. A deep breath let me stall a bit longer before it clicked in my mind.
“Shining Armor offered me a job as his aide-de-camp and told me to really consider it. I told him I would, but I couldn’t imagine leaving my position… well… that’s really not true. It isn’t really the position that I can’t imagine leaving.” I glanced up at her meaningfully.
The princess blinked a few times in surprise. She then smiled and tugged me closer to her. “That is very sweet, Silent Knight. You should consider your career, though. You’re a young pony that will want to advance someday. I wouldn’t be much of a friend to you if I held you back.”
I frowned. “I never imagined I’d go much further than sergeant. My career is at a stage I never thought it would be. Plus… it isn’t like you’re going to retire or anything. I could spend my whole career with you.”
Princess Luna lightly stroked my mane. “You could. I do not want to see you go, if you want my honest opinion. However, I also do not want to see you give up good opportunities because we’re friends.
“You should seriously consider this and discuss it with Crystal. It may be the right opportunity. It may not be. Either way I would be sad to see you leave but I would most certainly not be upset with you. I’d be proud.”
I nodded “Thank you. That’s what I needed to hear. I’ll talk to Crystal about it and see what she thinks. I’m not keen on leaving Canterlot. This just… well, it came as a surprise.”
“Most assuredly. Well, I’m certain you’ll make the best choice.”
I nodded at her and silently hoped that was true.
☾
Haven, like any city, had a rhythm. Even without the sun to guide them, the nox ponies lived a life separated into mornings, afternoons, and nights. I’d never understand how they kept up with it, but they did.
Moonlit Star and I typically saw each other in the mornings. That was largely luck on my part. When I approached her home, she was sitting on the front porch. I settled down in the rocking chair next to hers. “Good… I guess morning.”
The matriarch smiled at me and nodded. “Believe it or not, you can get a sense for it. There is a pattern even in the dark. The way the air blows in from above. How the heat comes through the stone. In time, you’d probably get to know it. For me, it is as obvious as it is to you when looking where the sun is in the sky.”
“Well, perhaps in time I’ll get the opportunity to learn. I imagine we’ll be spending a lot of days here.”
She rocked in her chair and said, “Perhaps so. I was surprised that you didn’t arrive with Luna. I’m also a bit saddened that my grandchildren did not return with you to at least visit. How are they?”
“Physically, they’re fine, fit, and healthy,” I said honestly.
“But?” the matron replied.
“They’re not walking the path I imagine you’d approve of, and they’re too stubborn to listen to me.”
Moonlit Star nodded and asked, “Should I be worried?”
I took a long breath and settled back into the chair. “I’m going to do my best to make sure they come out of their choices safely.”
“That is all you can do, Silent Knight. I should apologize. I put more on you than was fair. I just saw my grandchildren pulling away from what I believe in, and I thought that perhaps they’d listen to you. That was a foolish thing.”
I winced. “I haven’t been the best influence on them. They see too much of my work and I recently found out they’ve been following me in secret. They want to be like me.”
The mare shifted to look my way. “Oh? Guards?”
That would be a safe lie, but I couldn’t do it. “Soldiers.”
Her brow lifted. “Crimson I understand, but why Tranquil?”
“She’s afraid of losing him, so she has decided to go where he goes. I also think she has developed a belief that she owes me some debt of loyalty. I don’t know why exactly, but she is bent on being my shadow and helper.”
Moonlit Star reached over and set a light hoof over mine. “Silent Knight, I know you can’t make ponies do anything they don’t want to… but can you at least try and make sure they can get back up when they fall?”
“I’ll do my best, even if it means taking the blows for them. I’m hoping that when they get a taste of what being a soldier actually is, they’ll be so turned off they decide to go another path.”
“That seems like a wise enough course.” She peered at me. “Is there a lot of conflict still in Equestria?”
I shook my head. “No, ponies don’t get into battles much these days. Bad things still happen, but not so much that I’d be concerned by the two of them joining the Royal Guard.”
“Then perhaps guide them towards a career there and they’ll forget this soldier foolishness.”
“I’ll try.” That didn’t seem likely to work, but I’d at least make the effort.
Our conversation then turned to lighter things, such as the integration of Haven back into the Kingdom of Equestria. It was odd to view that as light, but by comparison, I was willing to accept it.
Eventually, it was time to get started on my day, so I stood up. “Thank you for the company this morning. I need to see to my ponies before the shift change.”
Moonlit Star nodded and rose as well, though with notably more struggle than me. “Of course. Thank you again, Silent Knight. Come visit me any morning. I enjoy your company.”
“Thank you, I’ll be sure to stop by again,” I said before heading back to the inn.
I arrived just in time to find Miley Hooves getting her morning coffee. As I trotted up to her, I said, “Sergeant, a word.”
“Sir?” she asked, stopping mid-sip.
“I don’t plan to sit here and look over your shoulder.”
Miley’s head tilted and she replied, “Okay? Thank you, sir? You’re telling me this, why?”
“I might seem scarce, is all. A single squad running security doesn’t need a meddling officer, and I have some business here in town to attend to.”
The little mare looked perplexed by that. “Business? You do business, sir?”
“An expression, Sergeant. My point is that, unless you really need me, this is your show. Understood?”
She nodded, although her expression was not one of total confidence. Not in her ability to lead, of course. She and I both knew that was fine. It was clear she wanted to know what business I could possibly have here.
That was information I didn’t intend to share, so we just stared at each other for a moment before she replied, “Understood, sir. Uh… sir?”
“Yes?”
Her ears wiggled. “Are we still going to play games together between shifts? You know, I went over to Crystal Delicacy before we left and picked up a bunch. Ruby Moon had a ton of suggestions, and I wanted to keep my guards occupied. It would be weird if you weren’t there.”
I smiled and lightly tapped my hoof against the side of her helmet. “Yes, we’ll play games. As if you had to ask. Now get to work.”
“Yes, sir!” she replied cheerfully.
Once she was gone, I left the inn and headed to the library. Princess Luna wouldn’t start her lessons for at least another half hour. For the next three weeks, she wasn’t going to be the only student in Haven.
While Miley kept an eye out for trouble, I intended to sequester myself away with the Knights of the Moon tomes. Thus far I’d been through the first two several times. They were for initiates, though, and there were at least eight more. The knowledge contained within had already proved valuable in the face of the dragons. It was going to prove invaluable in the face of gryphons.
After being admitted to the library, I returned the first two books and selected the next two. The spines were stamped with silver symbols of the moon. The third book bore almost a quarter while the fourth was near a half. A clever way to denote progress.
I needed to get the books, find a hidden place to train, and get through as much as I could in the time allotted. I settled books three and four into my saddlebags and headed out.
Firn Bristle was standing guard and looked my way curiously when I came back out so soon after going in.
I nodded at her. “Everything is in order for the princess’s arrival. Carry on.”
She nodded in return and then I took flight to look around the city for a great place to train. I wouldn’t need much more than a few square meters and some privacy. The tactics used by the knights were quite violent, and I wouldn’t want to frighten the locals.
The major problem I had was that no place in particular was known to me. If I lingered around somewhere new, ponies would notice. It would be best to go somewhere farther away from the center of town. Someplace that would potentially be vacant. Someplace like…
Moonlit Star’s house!
The matriarch’s house was secluded in comparison to the rest of the town and even had a small courtyard in the rear. It wasn’t large, but I didn’t need a lot of space and the stone wall that surrounded it would keep the curious away. All I had to do was coordinate my training with Princess Luna’s.
Steel Wings’s instruction had been educational, but it was strictly limited to combat. The Knights of the Moon went so much deeper and took a holistic approach to battle. They discussed the psychology of their foes, methods of dealing with them both diplomatically and physically, and historic accounts of the Knights’ deeds. It provided a much better picture.
I swooped down to the familiar home I’d visited mere hours before and landed in the courtyard. There was a stone bench inside, so I settled on that and opened the third book.
Take heart, for you are an initiate no longer. You see all that lurks in the darkness. Now you shall start the path to truly understand it and, with understanding, vanquish it.