Free from the angry mob Gideon and Sir Wallace found themselves still a little dizzy after the teleportation. In the peaceful, though slightly spinning world, they took stock of where they had ended up this time. Not enjoying the sudden shift in location the horses pulled and danced before being reined in and given a chance to settle after the narrowly avoided stampede of tiny hooves.
Ahead of the small group was the Queen. Her dawnlike glowing mane and tail drawing in any gaze, though the bright white coat and golden regalia helped with the effect. She stood just a few paces away next to a wide, stone, staircase looking eagerly towards the mounted pair before turning to look up the steps towards a large and impressive, white, columned building. While the humans remained cautious of her power, she had clearly been the one to get them out of the crowd so both felt a little less intimidated by her, at least for now.
“Is that a palace?” Gideon had never traveled to any of the human capital cities, but she imagined that the Kings would live in something like this. Two carved gryphons adorned either side of the stairs while carvings of ponies were set high above the entranceway and into the roof edge. The only thing that made her unsure of her palace theory were the lack of spires or spikes to put heads on. On second thought was likely a good thing.
“I don’t think so Giddy. No guards or banners, and judging from the Queen’s first appearance I think her palace would have a lot more gold. This might be a place of worship though.” The knight scratched at his beard. Religion in different cultures was best avoided, there were just too many opportunities to either insult them, or their Gods.
Despite the lack of gold the building was, on all accounts, impressive. Four pillars supported the three grand arches that framed the front of the building, while intricate carvings and depictions graced any stone surface available. It was clear that a lot of time and skill had been spent on this structure. The building was also very large, though much wider than it was tall, a feature that made it stand out amongst its kin. Both of the humans found it to be much more pleasing to the eye then the smooth, featureless towers that stretched up into the clouds around them. It was also much kinder on their necks.
Sir Wallace urged Honor to take a few steps towards the building and thus towards where the Queen stood waiting. There were other ponies dotted around the area, most had moved towards the Queen upon their arrival but stopped after she had presumably commanded them. Now they just stood watching. Waiting. As her eyes met the knight’s her regal head began nodding with a gentle and encouraging smile while a nicker called to them both. The Queen then stretched out a single swanlike wing to point in the direction of grand wooden doors that stood open and welcoming atop the steps.
“Looks like she wants us to go inside. Come on Giddy, best not keep her majesty waiting.” Sir Wallace dismounted and gave Honor a pat on her neck before leading her slowly to the steps. He was grateful to see that they would be wide enough to pose his mare no issue in scaling them, so long as they went slowly.
“Um, Sir.” Gideon paused, it was now or never.
“I know you don’t like this Giddy but I can already hear the mob starting to get closer, best we get off the streets and let this all blow over.” It was true, there was definitely more noise than there had been just a moment ago.
“I know Sir, it's just that, well, there are not many of the ponies around here, its only really the Queen. So don’t you think we should be trying to escape while we can?” Giddy could count twelve ponies around them, there were two pegasi, seven unicorns and three that didn't seem to be either. If they had any chance to get away then now would be the time.
Sir Wallace turned to face his squire who ducked her head before looking back up at him. She hated when he looked at her like that. It always made her feel so small. Worse was when he crossed his arms.
Sir Wallace crossed his arms.
“Gideon,” The man started, but he didn't get chance to finish.
“Sir, what if it's the glamour? What if you are so willing to follow the Queen because she wants you to?” Gideon looked down at her hands as she twisted the leather reins between her fists. She was scared. She was scared that she couldn’t trust Sir Wallace anymore. Her teacher, her mentor, her protector, her friend. After everything they had been through together in just two years she didn't think she had ever felt so scared.
Silence
When she eventually looked up from her hands and towards her knight Giddy found his face troubled, a look she so rarely saw on the man. With a deep breath the squire knew it was up to her to do something.
“Let’s just go. We still have plenty of daylight to get somewhere safe, somewhere away from here. There is no way these pony’s little legs can keep up with the horses, we can even use your forest trick to get away from the pegasi like we did the dragon.”
“No.” Sir Wallace's face settled to a strong resolve.
“Sir we can’t,”
“No Giddy, I understand you are worried, you have no idea how much it scares me to think that my thoughts and choices might not be my own, but right now running is not an option.” Sir Wallace looked his ward in the eyes and could already see the rebellion forming.
“Do you even know which direction to head?” Gideon resolve cracked as she turned to look around her. They had teleported so technically they could be anywhere. The only reason they knew they were still in the same city was due to the sound of the angry crowd, which was really starting to get louder now.
“And don’t forget that we both saw there is only one way in and out of the city.” With that he saw Gideon deflate as the whole idea of running fell to pieces around them.
“Gideon, look at me. Right now is not the time to run but there might come a moment when it is. I need you to promise that you will keep me on the right track. If I look like I might be wavering I need you to tell me, and possibly stop me. Can you do that?” Gideon swallowed and nodded, she didn't think she could trust her voice at the moment. The knight smiled.
“We will solve this together and get home, I promise.” The two shared a smile before Gideon dismounted and followed her mentor’s example.
“I’m also going to need you to keep your distance from the Queen. We don’t both need to be questioning our actions the whole time we are stuck here.” Again Gideon nodded though in truth it had not been a request Sir Wallace had needed to make. She was already very happy to keep as far away as she could from the Queen, or anything else that looked like it might want to mess with her thoughts.
***********************
Celestia felt relief wash over her when she saw both of the bipeds take to their own feet and lead the horses towards her and the library. What exactly had happened between the two would likely remain a mystery but it seemed as though the younger one had wanted to leave with the way it had animated its arms and pointed. For a brief moment she had thought the elder would follow. That disaster had thankfully been avoided, or more likely postponed judging by the distance the two still tried to keep from her. Now was not the time to push them, she would have to deal with her own subjects first, then she could focus on trying to find a way to mend and rebuild whatever trust they had built when they had first met.
As the princess walked through the doors of the grand building she turned to watch the faces of her guests. Unfortunately she was not the only one there to see their arrival.
“Princess Celestia, as the head librarian here at the Manehattan Library it is a pleasure, Oh my.” Celestia turned to the unicorn stallion that had come to greet her, his speech halted as the golden mare next to him paled and back away from the sight of the two huge equines, and the bipeds that led them, walking through the doors.
“The pleasure is mine. I always enjoy my visits the cultural pride of Manehattan.” Celestia turned and presented the diplomats to the stallion.
“These are my guests, er…” Celestia stumbled on her next words, normally she would introduce them by name but that was not an option at this moment in time.
“Diplomats from a kingdom far away from Equestria.”
“Princess? Is everything OK?” The librarian, could hear rather a lot of noise coming from outside, and while he had been preparing for the Princess's unplanned visit, after a Royal Guard rudely informed only an hour ago, he had not expected her to be so flustered, or with such odd companions.
Celestia looked the stallion over. Clam, observant, with an air of certainty to himself. A simple white winged collar was the only garment on the his mahogany coat, which complimented his white mane and tail. She could certainly do with help right now.
“If it’s not too much to ask, sir?” Celestia waited for the stallion to introduce himself.
“Black Step, your majesty. Just Black Step.” He gave a polite bow as Celestia noticed that his coat did indeed darken to black down his legs and hooves. His cutie mark was of an open book with five smaller open books set above its pages.
“Well Black Step, there was a slight, incident, a moment ago on our journey here. A simple misunderstanding.” Which Celestia really hoped would not repeat itself inside the library.
“And it’s just going to take me a moment to get everything straightened out.” Angry voices were starting to make their way through the open entrance of the library. Acting quickly, Celestia used her magic to close the doors and slide the locks into place. She turned back to the stallion with a slightly sheepish smile. He raised an eyebrow.
“It would be an honor to offer my services in anyway I can.” Black Step felt a slight chill go up his spine as he said those words.
“If you could just watch them.” Celestia pointed to her guests, who at the time seemed to be entranced by the tall standing lamps. She held her breath for a moment and was just able to stop the elder from using the end of his sheathed sword to poke one of the bulbs. Of course it meant that she had to use her magic to pull the offensive object away, but what was done was done. The diplomats chattered and checked the sword over before giving her a worried look and moving away from the lamps.
“We don’t really allow pets within the library.”
“That’s the problem I’m afraid. Black Step, those two are the Diplomats that I have been escorting here.” Celestia pointed towards the two bipeds who were now peaking out of the window at the crowd they could all hear outside before running their hands on the glass in a stroking fashion. Ignoring the strange behaviour Celestia focused on the matter at hoof. She was going to have to explain about the horses and diplomats to Manehattan’s in a moment so she might as well have a practice run on somepony that had not been stirred up to a frenzy first.
The stallion, and the recovering golden mare, looked at Celestia in disbelief, or as though they expected a joke, before looking at the strange two legged creatures that were clothed from head to hoof, and talking in some unknown language.
“But then, what of your other guests?” It was the mare that spoken this time. Her colour had returned and she looked more curious than cautious now.
“I know it will sounds strange at first, but these two equines have more in common with a dog than either you or I. They don't seem to have any grasp of language other than maybe a few commands from the bipeds and simple body language between each other.” Both of the ponies gasped but strangely it was the mare who recovered.
“Thats incredible!” The golden female moved forward while grabbing quill and parchment from nearby with her magic.
“Are they safe?” She asked. Celestia nodded.
“So long as you don’t go too close. They seem fearful of anything new. The bipeds use them for transport and to carry equipment but from what I have seen it is an almost symbiotic relationship. They utilize the mountain horse’s strength and speed and in return they are cared and tended to.” It felt good to talk about what Celestia had seen as well as the conclusions she had come to while watching the odd group.
“This could be groundbreaking! To think, a non-sapient ungulate! Studies might even reveal the moment in which a species develops from sentient to higher learning.” The mare continued to watch while the quill danced across the page.
“That’s Papyrus, one of our historical experts. I’m afraid you won’t get much sense out of her now.” Black Step would have rolled his eyes at his colleagues antics if he was not currently in the presence of royalty. Celestia however gave a gentle laugh.
“I’ve known a few ponies like that in my time. One in particular would become so obsessed over such simple things that she would have to be reminded to eat and sleep.” Before she could reminisce any further there was a firm knock on the library doors.
“Princess Celestia, are you in there?” Celestia recognized Steadfast’s voice. She knew she would not be able to put off the address to the ponies of Manehattan any further. The bolts across the door were smoothly pushed aside with a satisfying click. The Princess took a final look behind her at the Diplomats.
She pointed at both of them in turn with a hoof.
“Stay.” With that simply yet pleading command the Princess opened and walked through the door calmly into the wall of voices ready to engulf her.
Black Step watched as the Two-legs moved with uncertainty towards the opening before the door closed firmly, bolts sliding back into place. Meanwhile Papyrus was still enraptured by the beast horses, she barely gave a glance to the other creatures that they now shared their space. That was to be expected. She tended to focus exclusively on ancient pony, zebra or donkey cultures. Amongst the rest of his staff however Dusty Quill came to mind. He was an expert with cultures outside of the norm; griffon, diamond dog, minotaur and even dragon. There would be no one better to offload/introduce these new creatures to. Black tried to remember where he had seen the griffon last.
Outside the library there was no problem with finding anyone as it looked like most of Manehattan was packed into the grounds around the building. The royal guard had formed around the main steps to stop anypony, either on hoof or wing, from getting close to the entrance way. Sycamore and the rest of the Manehattan police had taken up the difficult job of keeping everypony under control, which was easier said than done when a few individuals used the mob to their advantage.
Flashes of light caught Celestia’s attention first as she noticed a group of newsponies trying to push their way to the front of the crowd. Police stood, and flew, to try keeping them back but there was little they could do to stop the cameras from doing their jobs.
“Captain Mistral please allow the media access to the front, we need to make sure they can hear exactly what I’m about to say.” It was going to take a lot of work to repair this but if she can get the newspapers on her side then she can let them get the word out to the rest of Manhattan.
Voices started to shout out. Questions. Demands. Mostly varying on just two issues. Firstly; where were the Diplomats. Secondly; what was she going to do about them.
“Ponies of Manhattan.” Celestia waited a few moment for the crowd to die down to a hush.
“Today I brought two very distinguished guests to your great city. Two diplomats from a land far outside of Equestria’s reach. They do not speak our language. They do not know our customs. Just as we don’t know theirs.” Celestia tried to ignore the comment that flew up from one pony about fouling in the street not being a custom he wanted to know.
“They have reached out to meet us and must have traveled a great distance to get here. Yet it is not Canterlot they traveled to. Nor even the Crystal empire. Instead they chose to come here, to Manehattan.” Celestia watched a little pride swell in the crowd. Everypony wanted to feel that their home was special.
“Alongside the diplomats are two others.” The Princess took a moment the pause and try to ease her suddenly dry throat.
“They are primitive in their thoughts and actions yet even they might open up a whole new understanding of our world and ourselves.” Whispers floated on the air.
“It is because of this innocence that I ask you all to be understanding and to forgive the mountain horses for their actions. No offence was meant. The Diplomats have now learnt that it was unacceptable behaviour and I am sure they will do their utmost to prevent their companions from committing the same mistake.”
It was one of the reporters that spoke first, his voice cutting through the confused drone.
“Princess Celestia, you can’t honestly be telling us that those, creatures, are in fact the diplomats you are referring to!”
“I am.” Uproar. Partly angry and confused but disbelief made up the largest portion of voices. Celestia gave them the time they needed to let the news sink in. She knew it was not due to the fact the diplomats were a little unusual to look at, there were plenty of races outside of the norm just in Equestria, it was the fact most of them now realized that the horses were nothing more than animals. It was still something Celestia herself was reluctant to fully believe, but try as she might to see some form of sapience in them, there was just nothing there. Maybe with more research there would be more answers.
“Princess!” Another reporter spoke up.
“You say we know nothing of these strangers, that you can’t even understand them, what’s to say they’ve not enslaved the horses or have them under some sort of magic!” Agreement rippled in the crowd. A spell would be much more likely than the possibility of some sort of primitive beast horse.
“I understand your skepticism and I can assure you that I, and other officials, will do our upmost to make sure no spell, enslavement or other unnatural methods are the cause of the horse's current mental state.
Those of us who have spent time with both the diplomats and their companions will confirm that we have witnessed no sign of aggression or violence from any of our guests.”
A blood curdling scream echoed from the Library causing many of the crowd to bolt. Loud bangs and crashes suddenly followed leaving Celestia to curse the universe's sense of humor and timing. As she quickly gathered her Guard, the Sun Princess had just one thought, if Discord was not behind this, then he was going to be very upset he hadn't come along with her.