Underwater Somewhere in the Eastern Sea…
“Your majesty.”
“Just speak.”
“...”
“Speak your piece. You have brought news of our food situation?”
“Yes, your majesty... We have enough, but it is not good. Our seaweed and shellfish farm yields have had a further ten percent reduction in annual yield. There has been an increase in fish in our waters, but I doubt this will change the situation.
“Why is this the case?”
“Your majesty, for the past five hundred years, the ships of the surface worlders have crisscrossed the waters atop of our cities, dumping whatever garbage they have into the sea, and churning the water. Some of us can hardly sleep at times. Sometimes, when one of their ships sinks, it slams into our ocean settlements, crushing homes and spreading its debris all over our farms. Meanwhile, the ships of the beaked ones continue to drag their nets through the sea floor, ripping our farms into shreds.”
“Also, your majesty, the pony island in the middle of the sea continues to grow in size. The four legged ones keep moving the seafloor, redirecting currents, growing the size of the island. It has buried several of our major shellfish farms through the years.”
“All the while, the island continues to emit poison. The water around it is polluted with foul surface worlder waste. No seapony within several kilometers of that island can grow food.”
“As for fishing, the beaked ones ships are already sailing into the new grounds, emptying them as we speak.”
“Are the surface worlders not bound to honor the waters of Aquestria? I am certain there was a permanent agreement between Aquestria, the ponies of the one who moved the sun and the king of the beaked ones.”
“...”
“Your majesty, it has been a long time since the surface worlders have upheld their end of the agreement and it’s getting more dangerous to approach their vessels without getting pulled into their wake.”
“Then it is time we remind them who rules the seas. We do not befoul their air or land yet they do not extend the same courtesy to us. It is time to eject them from our waters. I will send word to the one Samudra mentioned in her notes, Celestia, as well as a missive to the gryphon king’s castle. If they do not act, I will take control of matters myself.”
One month after the crisis meeting…
My quill scratched softly against the parchment, my cursive writing coursing across the yellow parchment as the soft glow of my desk lamp illuminated my ink. Humming merrily to myself, I dipped the quill back into the ink bowl and continued to write.
“Your highness.”
Starting, I turned to see Diamondshell standing quietly near my desk. Even after a month of her standing guard in my room during the evening hours, I hadn’t gotten used to the chevalier silently sneaking up on me.
“Yes, Diamondshell?”
At the sound of her name, Diamondshell grimaced. Despite my attempts to get her to loosen up, she still preferred being called Commander.
“Your highness, you are hosting the garden party tomorrow. Hence, I must respectfully suggest that you turn in for the night.”
I sighed. I knew better than to try arguing with her again. Every time I tried, I had failed to convince her to let me stay up past midnight.
“In a minute then,” I said as I finished my last sentence and signed the very long letter. Blowing on the ink, I held it up against the light and read it.
My Faithful Student,
I’m overjoyed that you’ve accepted the invitation I sent you to attend my garden party, or as Raven continues to call it “Princess Alternia’s Garden Party,” in two days. While I have hosted too many such events throughout my time as regent to count, this will be the first time that I host one as myself. Hence, you can imagine how glad I am that you and your friends will be present. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m feeling a bit nervous, and to see you there will be of great comfort to me.
I also expect that attendance at my Garden Party will be rather sparse, based on the attendance at my Petitioner’s three days ago. While there were a few who came, most with simple requests or well-wishes that I answered with great joy, I mostly spent my day signing documents in the throne room, whereas Luna found her Night Court completely occupied and exhausted. I must say, though, that my new throne, done in the same style as my regalia, is very comfortable.
On the other hoof, most of the burdens I bore alone for centuries are now being taken on by Luna, and compared with what she’s facing my new problems pale in terms of significance. Luna’s become the go-to princess in light of the difficulties Celestia and I are experiencing, and as you know, two weeks ago she departed to Venecia at the head of the second convoy, and has become deeply involved in the relief efforts. From what I can tell in the few letters that she is able to write to us, she is being exhausted by the complexity of the task and the sheer amount of loss and destruction she has to face there.
The good news is that my changelings appear to be adjusting well to their new positions. I’ve currently assigned the worker changelings my sisters have given me to assist with the castle staff, and they are ably led by Cyndra, who was overjoyed to see some of her hivemates from Chrysalis’s hive. Meanwhile, my infiltrators, chevaliers, and soldier changelings have been assigned to my Mirror Guard under Captain Harlequin.
Speaking of Harlequin, I have been most impressed by his dedication to his job and his devotion to me. In less than one month, he has completely succeeded in getting the pony guards in my regiment to work with the new changeling soldiers and chevaliers. He’s accomplished this by using simple competitive games to build friendship and cooperation between the groups, “Capture the Flag” and the like. At the same time, his “games” also introduced both sides to the tactical approaches of the other, and after a while got them discussing strategies and methods with each other. He then supplemented his courses with social events such as a Mirror Guard Party. According to his very detailed and well-written report, the Mirror Guard Party and his other efforts were well received, as one might expect, and have helped break down the last barriers between ponies and changelings. These reports have been supported by the positive comments from some of the pony guards I have talked to, like Sergeant Gullwhacker, as well as those of my advisors Caesar Salad, Hanna Belle, and even cranky old Admiral Marenitz. All in all, I have found Harlequin quite likeable and effective in his work, and am very glad to have chosen him as my guard captain, even if he still gets tongue-tied in front of me at times.
Also, while it has been slow, chevalier Diamondshell, who is my night guard, has loosened up a bit. She does not scowl so much these days, and I hear tell that she very much enjoyed the Mirror Guard Party, though she would say nothing of it to me when I asked. Unfortunately, she still harbors some slight resentment for me, since I was the one who indirectly forced her to leave her home. Yet, I still hope that she will learn to fully enjoy her new life.
Now that I think about it, one of my subordinates has actually become a bit too accustomed to the castle. My sub-commander, Buzz, has managed to make half the female castle staff fall in love with him, according to Raven and Cyndra’s complaints. He is a perfect gentlepony of a changeling, but I felt I needed to step in when he approached Cyndra. Although I must grudgingly acknowledge that his stated purpose in“acting” the playboy has...“enhanced changeling-pony relations,” I do not wish any hearts to be broken by his flirtations, especially that of my niece's. For if Chrysalis should ever hear of it, or even Lamia for that matter, (whom I’ve heard has been delighted by some of the more recent — and deadlier — additions to her prosthetic)… I would fear for Buzz’s survival.
However, not every changeling in my service was as lucky as Buzz to be loved. Diamondshell in particular is still quite unsociable. Even if I were to send my infiltrators out to gather love, there wouldn’t be enough to support my new changelings. So just two days ago, I arranged for them (my changelings) to join me in the throne room so that I could give them an infusion of some of the love I have kept stored for a thousand years. After they assembled in a circle, I created a link between us with threads of magic from my horn, planning to transfer love to them.
…Even now it’s difficult to describe to you what happened, Twilight. The moment my changelings and I were linked… I felt I understood them completely. I could feel the intensity of Harlequin’s infatuation… no, his love for me, Diamondshell’s grudging respect, and Buzz’s carefree nature, but also his loyalty. Then there was the soldier Scarab and his admiration for my fairness, Glitterbug and her enthusiasm in her new role as a maid…
This intoxicating sensation of understanding overwhelmed me. My instincts told me I needed to protect every one of them, to act as their queen.. This instinct very nearly made me link their minds to mine, and ascend as a fully-fledged changeling queen with my own hive.
At the last second, though, I refrained from following through with the act. It took all I had to reign in my basic instinct as a changeling queen, but… I didn’t want to start a hive yet, Twilight. You might think it’s strange, as I’ve told you before that it’s my dream to have one, and I’ve led Equestria for so long, but I’d just been coronated, and it had only been a month since I first met these changelings. Perhaps I am ready to lead a hive, but could I? Could I really do as my mother did?
I wasn’t sure, Twilight, which is why I completed the transfer and immediately dismissed my changelings to their duties. Maybe someday in the near future, but not right now. In the meantime, I am simply content to be Equestria’s Changeling Princess.
Again, I cannot wait to see you and your friends at the Garden Party.
Yours sincerely,
Your teacher and friend, Alternia.
Two Days Later, Princess Alternia’s Garden Party...
“Do I look ready, Harlequin?” I asked, glancing at my captain as I stood in front of my room’s cheval mirror. I had decided to try out a new cloak for the occasion, a long emerald piece made by Rarity that was embroidered near the edges. It had a regal cut, yet the lining was thin enough so the cloak didn’t make me look obnoxious.
Harlequin’s head bobbed up and down rapidly, a wide smile on his face, though I think he would have nodded no matter what I wore. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, I could still sense Harlequin’s infatuation with me. I might have to address it one day, but he hadn’t confessed his feelings to me yet, and to broach them myself might embarrass him.
“Then let us depart.” Turning around, I exited my chambers and met my escort of six of my Mirror Guards, two ponies and four changelings. All of them were dressed in silver armor matching the color of my regalia. With Harlequin trailing beside me, we made our way to the gardens.
Halfway there, a wide-eyed Buzz, and an even more frazzled looking Cyndra, galloped up to us. Fearing the worst, I braced my hooves against the marble floor.
“What’s wrong?”
My lieutenant, drawing himself up, took a moment to compose himself, and said, “There are too many ponies waiting to get into the party! We need assistance in order to screen them all!”
Cyndra nodded and after coughing into her hoof, managed to catch her breath to add: “Aside from that, auntie, I don’t know if we’ll have enough food to feed them all!”
I couldn’t help but blink and frown.“Too many ponies? Exactly how many have shown up?”
“Practically all the Canterlot nobility are waiting at the entrance to the gardens!” Cyndra exclaimed.
I froze, my natural reaction to such a situation as it usually would say the least about how I was feeling. Now, ever since my coronation, I had been mostly involved in matters of state, just working with my administrative staff and ministers in order to get them accustomed to my presence. I hadn’t really interacted with the social crowd of Canterlot that much, aside from a brief appointments with nobles and business ponies who wanted to assist with the Venecian Crisis: the Orange family, Filthy Rich, Caesar Salad, and Fancy Pants, among others. So I had asked that a modest spread be prepared for this party, thinking there would only be a few attendees other than Twilight and her friends.
Hence, Cyndra’s answer made the gears in my brain grind to a screeching halt and reverse as I replayed her statement in my head again, and again.
Eventually, I recovered and closed my mouth, which I hadn’t realized I opened to gawk. “The entirety of Canterlot’s upper crust? But why?”
“I don’t know, auntie! What should we do?” Cyndra wailed.
I took a deep breath. First things first, I needed more information. “Have Twilight and her friends arrived yet?” I asked.
“Yes. They are currently waiting in the garden, your highness,” said Buzz, an eyebrow raised.
I nodded, a plan forming in my head. “Good, we can enlist their aid. Buzz will escort Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie to the event planner, Lemony Hearts. Have Applejack and Pinkie Pie assist with the catering, while Twilight, Spike, and Lemony Hearts work on seating. Cyndra, ask Rarity to buy us some time at the entrance to the gardens as we re-arrange everything, and ask Rainbow Dash to fetch as many tables and chairs as she can from the storage rooms. Any questions?”
“Nope,” said Cyndra, shaking her head.
“Crystal clear, your highness,” Buzz replied.
I nodded and the pair tore off to the gardens. As they did so, Harlequin glanced at me.
“Is it just me, or do you rely on your student and her friends an awful lot?” he asked.
I grinned. “When you see how capable they are, it’s difficult not to rely on them.”
With the help of Twilight and her friends, we managed to prepare the Canterlot Gardens to accommodate at least several dozen unanticipated guests. At that point, I still hadn’t personally assessed the number of guests, as I was busy resetting the garden.
In just over half an hour, we were ready. And so, with Harlequin and my escort, I headed to the entrance of the garden where Rarity was still running interference.
Dressed in a rather snazzy yellow sunflower hat and light blue cloak, Rarity was the centre of attention for the crowd of nobles that had gathered at the entrance to the gardens. It was a huge turnout. I had expected less than ten socialites to show up, since those were all that were active enough in state affairs to know me personally. What stood in front of me was a herd of a hundred ponies or more, a turnout even larger than I’d expect for the annual garden parties I hosted as Celestia.
Shooting Rarity a thankful glance, I coughed politely, drawing the attention of everypony to me and my guards.
“Mares and gentlecolts, thank you very kindly for waiting. I hereby invite you all into my first Canterlot Garden Party as Princess Alternia of Equestria.”
There was a smattering of applause and the ponies started to line up to greet me with smiles on their faces. They were a bit nervous, but oddly enough, I sensed no great fear from them as they bowed and thanked me for inviting them. What was more intriguing was that many of these ponies I didn’t know personally.
In fact, it was a long time before I picked out one of the socialites, a pony from Ponyville I knew quite well. It was Filthy Rich, his brown coat groomed, and his customary red tie and white collar well-ironed. He was a regular at the social events I hosted, and was a good stallion. Without reservation or promise of any tax benefits, he had donated a significant amount of cash and equipment to the Venecian relief effort.
“Your highness,” said Filthy Rich, bowing low.
In response, I inclined my head and smiled. “Mr. Rich. Thank you for attending my garden party, as always, and I must also thank you again for your pledge to assist Venecia’s reconstruction.”
Filthy Rich grinned, and it was not the suave saucy kind of grin that was so popular with business ponies, but a sincere smile. “I would never miss a party held by you, your highness. It is good to have you back.”
I forced myself not to blink, and stretched out my senses to read Filthy Rich’s emotions. I sensed no lie. Like the others, I sensed no hesitation, nervousness, or any telltale signals that he was just all talk. He really was happy to come to the party.
“I am flattered, Mr. Rich. How is your wife?” I asked.
A flinch shook Filthy Rich’s smile off his face. “She had another event to attend, and couldn’t make it.”
That was clearly a lie. His wife, Spoiled Rich, had always been highly… focused on her social status, and likely didn’t want to come, leaving her husband to support me alone. The fact that he went against his own wife on this decision only made me appreciate Filthy Rich even more.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Rich.I hope you enjoy the rest of the Garden Party very much,” I said kindly.
Bowing his head again, Filthy Rich proceeded in and I continued to welcome the guests. This routine continued on until near the end of the line, when another pony I was familiar with trotted up.
“Your highness! I, Photo Finish, have arrived!” announced the grey-maned earth pony with purple shades, her trusty suitcase camera at her side.
“Ah, always good to see you, Photo Finish. How was your trip to Prance—” A bright flash cut me off, and when I opened my eyes, a production team had surrounded me and set up a camera screen and a backlight. Harlequin and my guards were standing to the side, watching Photo Finish and her crew vigilantly.
“No! Head to the right! Raise those wings! Keep that smile.”
I was too used to the fashion photographer’s antics to refuse, and from previous experience, I knew that arguing with her was futile, so I turned my head to the right and raised my translucent wings, not blinking as another camera flash went off.
“Excellent! Hold that pose!” — more camera flashes, briefly blinding me, coming from left, right, above, and even below — “Ah yes, your highness, you have the magics as always!”
I held my expression and pose, even though I wanted to address Photo Finish directly. I’d rather not have her berate me for moving. “Even if I look completely different than I usually do?” I asked in a questioning tone.
There was a pause in the rapid-fire of camera flashes and lights as I noticed Photo Finish peek from behind her camera.
“Why would your look determine whether you have the magics or not?” Photo Finish asked.
I blinked. “I don’t quite understand.” Another camera flash blinded me for a moment and I felt a brush on my cheek and something, probably a polishing cloth, rubbing against the edge to one of my hoof holes..
“It does not matter how you look. You have the magics! The poise, the manner, the grace, and that smile! Ah! Excellent!” The camera flashes finally stopped, and as spots swam in my vision, I could see Photo Finish’s camera fold up back into its suitcase.
“Enough! I go!” declared the photographer, and before I could say another word, she was gone and the next pony was approaching.
“Wearing one of Rarity’s ensembles, your highness?” spoke the stallion in a cultured voice.
“Indeed, Hoity Toity. Welcome to the party, and congratulations on your deal with Simulacris,” I remarked.
The Equestrian-Changeling Non-Aggression Pact had enabled trade negotiations between Equestrian businesses and the hives. Simulacris had struck up a partnership with Hoity Toity, exporting changeling goo, a kind of fast-hardening material that changelings secrete and which is normally used to reinforce caverns in the hive. Hoity Toity had seen the potential of the glue to meet the adhesive and reinforcing requirements of some of his more flamboyant fashion pieces,, and had offered clothing from his stores in exchange. In this manner, fashion industry gained access to an increasingly useful resource, while Simulacris’s hive found an easy way to help them better interact with the Equestrian population.
Hoity Toity smiled and bowed. “It would not have been possible without you, your highness.”
I returned his smile as he trotted past me into the garden, leaving me alone with my guards and the last two guests in the line.
“Fancy Pants, Fleur de Lis, it has been too long,” I said happily.
Fancy Pants, looking quite dapper in a dark-blue suit and his customary monocle, bowed, while his wife Fleur, in a delightful rose-pink dress, curtsied. Though they were very well-dressed now, I couldn’t help but recall years ago when a penniless young colt and his childhood filly friend had thrown themselves at the doorstep of my castle, begging for a job, any job. Taking pity on the pair, I had made the colt one of my butlers, and the filly my chambermaid. Little did I realize what that young pair would become, the most important pony in Canterlot, and the most famous fashion model in Equestria.
And to their credit, they had never forgotten the kindness I had shown them, always willing to give me advice and support my efforts to rule Equestria. Moreover, according to Luna, they were among the first of the Canterlot social ladder to speak out in support of me after I had been struck down and revealed.
“Quite so, your highness,” said Fancy Pants, Fleur de Lis nodding in agreement. Yet their smiles faltered as their gazes wandered over my chestpiece and the prosthetic carapace it covered.
Touched by their concern, I tapped my regalia. “Don’t worry. It was a close call, but my wounds don’t bother me.”
Fleur blushed, and coughed into her hoof. “Once a princess’s maid, always a princess’s maid,” she said in a sheepish tone, repeating one of the time-honored phrases of the Canterlot castle staff. Fancy and I chuckled at that, which was when a thought occurred to me.
“Fancy, Fleur, there is something you can help me with. May I talk to you after the Garden Party?” I asked.
Fancy Pants raised an eyebrow and grinned. Placing his hoof over his heart, he mimicked his old pose as my butler.
“Say no more, your highness, we are at your service.”
Thanks to Twilight, her friends, and my strangely eager guests, my Garden Party could only be described as a success. As I presided over the party, many ponies approached me to wish me well, pitch their ideas, initiatives, or innovations, and inquire as to how I was doing. All in all, the affair went smoothly, and just as well as all my previous parties when I yet donned my mask. This was all surprising, considering that everything about my appearance had changed.
“Twilight, thank you for your help. I’m sorry I had to call on you and your friends though.”
My faithful student tightened her hug on me, not caring that she was creasing her dress. “Never mind that Alternia, I’m just glad we were here to help.”
“So am I.” I spotted Fancy Pants and Fleur at their table, sipping their drinks.
“Fancy Pants, Fleur De Lis, thank you for staying. I believe you’ve met Twilight and her friends,” I said, gesturing to the six bearers.
Fleur chuckled and eyed the bearers. “Fancy has, I have yet to really talk to the newest heroes of Equestria.”
Rarity was having an oh-my-goodness moment and sensing that she was about to go into a rapid-fire gush, I decided to quickly say my piece first.
“Perhaps there will be time for that later. I do have a matter I wish to discuss with you,” I said.
Fancy smirked. “It regards why there were so many ponies who attended your Garden Party does it? You weren’t prepared to see so many ponies show up.”
I allowed some of my embarrassment to seep through to my face. “You are right. I only thought ten or so would show up including you and Fleur, not all those on the Canterlot social ladder.”
Fleur frowned and set her teacup down. “You mean you haven’t heard about Princess Celestia?”
“What about Celestia?” I asked.
Crossing his hooves on the table Fancy adjusted his monocle with his magic. “Well, let’s start from the beginning. The thing is, ever since you were revealed to be a changeling, the upper crust of Canterlot have been watching you and wondering whether you would show your true colors.”
“We must admit we were among those observing you for a while, in order to confirm to ourselves whether we had been right,” confessed Fleur.
Fancy grinned sheepishly and rubbed his head. “To the surprise of many, and to our relief, the tales that began to trickle back from the ministers and those in highest positions of government only confirmed your tale, and indicated that you were indeed the Celestia they had always known. She just happened to be a changeling.”
Fleur nodded, looking me in the eye. “The Venecian Crisis meeting and your passing its responsibility to Princess Luna was particularly influential in changing the view of the ponies, but also the continued oaths sworn by ponies known to be intelligent and cautious like Blueblood, Caesar Salad, and Marenitz helped. To further alleviate the concerns of the Canterlot ponies, the new Mirror Guard ponies had nothing but good to say about the new changelings, and castle gossip has praised your niece Cyndra and the new changeling maids.”
Finishing off his cup of tea, Fancy took over. “All of these are contributing to the majority of the Canterlot social ladder being highly receptive to your rule as they’ve realized, especially after today, that you were Celestia, and haven’t changed.”
Understanding filled my heart as well as no small amount of relief. It looked like my efforts were paying off in convincing the upper class that I was still the princess they knew and loved. Yet, I was still worried. I hadn’t had a good long talk with Celestia for a while, and was therefore not sure what she had been up to for the last month. What could she have possibly done in one month to change the situation?
“I understand. But why bring up Celestia?”
Fancy hesitated and pursed his lips. Fleur though grimaced and sighed.
“I’m afraid in spite of recent revelations, Princess Celestia isn’t quite so popular with the upper-crust.”
Trying not to frown at the news, I kept a neutral mask as Fleur continued.
“Although Celestia’s appearance initially encouraged many of the upper crust to approach her with proposals and offers of help. She does consider them, but tends to turn them down in favor of a third, usually better option of her own devising. However, since she does not often sponsor the proposals of the upper crust, they respect her, but she’s not so sought after,” Fleur explained.
“On the other hoof, Celestia is becoming quite popular with the rest of Equestria’s citizenry. She has been attending a number of ceremonies and public events in various cities, and using her personal stipend to fund a number of charitable causes,” said Fancy Pants.
“Essentially, her situation is the opposite of mine,” I concluded. Fancy and Fleur nodded as I resolved to talk to Celestia the next chance I got. First though…
“Thank you, Fancy, Fleur. What you’ve told me helps a lot,” I told my former butler and maid.
Fancy chuckled. “Think nothing of it, your highness.”
Nodding, a grin spread across my face as a thought occurred. Leaning closer to the couple, I whispered, “So, I know I’ve asked this every time since you’ve been married, but when shall I expect a little colt or filly?”
Despite their pale coats, both Fancy and Fleur turned bright red from my question, as they always did, and it was all I could do not to cackle at their reaction.
Celestia was not too difficult to get ahold of once I found her schedule and figured out when she would be back at Canterlot, and so a few days after my garden party, I had Cyndra inform her I would like to set up an appointment. Once she accepted, I, Harlequin, Raven, and two other guards trotted to her stateroom.
I knocked on the gold-leaf doors three times, and listened to the scamper of hooves from within.
“Who is it?” called a voice that was definitely not Celestia.
I frowned and coughed to clear my throat. “It is Princess Alternia.”
The doors swung open then revealing the last pony I expected.
“Sunset Shimmer?” I gasped. I hadn’t seen the flame haired unicorn since I had granted her her mage certification two years ago, a great achievement for a pony her age. She had always had such great talent, and when she was a filly, I had briefly considered asking her to be my student. I had decided not to though, when my changeling sense picked up the depth of her ambition. Instead, I had a short talk with her and referred her to the school counsellor. It appeared to have paid off, as she had privately thanked me after her mage ceremony for not choosing her.
Sunset’s widened upon seeing me and she bowed. “Princess! I’m sorry for my rudeness!” she exclaimed, shaking me out of my memories.
“No apology is required, Sunset Shimmer,” I said. Glancing into the stateroom, I asked, “Is Celestia here?”
An imperious voice from within quickly answered my question. “We are present, Alternia, please do come on.”
Sunset instantly stepped aside, and I entered to find Celestia on a red recliner chair, her nose buried in… Was that a Daring Do book?
As if embarrassed that I could see her reading such books, Celestia put the novel down and straightened up. There were slight bags under her half-lidded eyes, but my co-ruler was smiling as I seated myself on the chair opposite to them.
“So, what is the occasion for thy visit, Alternia?” Celestia asked. My guards stood behind my chair, and interestingly enough, Sunset took up a place next to Celestia’s chair.
Biting my lip, I decided not to hide anything and get to the point, “I hosted a garden party in Canterlot a few days ago, and something surprising happened that you might like to know.”
Celestia’s eyes only narrowed, as she silently listened to what I had learned about the upper crust’s reaction to her handling of their proposals. Conversely, Sunset seemed to grow more worried as evidenced by her swishing tail.
At the end of my explanation, Celestia frowned. “We appreciate thy warning, Alternia, but while our long term memory is admittedly a bit foggy, we believe we art handling our affairs well. If thou has read the recent newspaper, thou should know that our ponies love us.”
I couldn’t help but grimace. Of course after the garden party I had read the latest newspapers, and seen Celestia wave proudly to the cheering crowds. As much as I didn’t like to admit it, it made me feel a bit jealous.
“Equestria’s citizenry might cheer you now, Celestia, but to ensure that approval, you need to familiarize yourself with the ponies who help us maintain Equestria’s government and ministries,” I stated.
Celestia matched my level gaze with her own glare. “If thou art worried about us not fulfilling our share of our duties, do not be afraid. We have been familiarizing ourselves with modern practices and culture. We can bear our burden.”
Forcing myself to stay composed, I lowered my head, just a bit to not only show I recognized what she said as true, but to also give her the impression she was in charge.
“And I know you will do admirably, Celestia, and that you are doing a very good job in restoring confidence in our Triumvirate. However, I do suggest you should rely on ponies other than yourself.” I turned to glance at Raven. “I know I could never have ruled Equestria for so long if I hadn’t had friends like Raven here, assisting me.”
Raven blushed, and proudly straightened her tie with her magic as Celestia followed my gaze, and swallowed. I noticed her emotions of annoyance drop, and frustration take its place.
“It is not easy, Alternia. The ponies of today think so… differently from how they used to. They treat us as if we were fragile glass, needing our hoof held everywhere we go. Have they forgotten that I helped seal Discord away? That I defended them against Nightmare Moon?”
“They do not think that you are weak, Celestia—”
Celestia frowned at me, cutting me off for a moment, before her eyes widened in realization.. Sighing, she scratched head, shuffling the constantly flowing mane. “We are aware of that, Alternia, thanks to your explanation. But it is a bit late now to rectify that with the upper crust. We will have to look for advisors and… friends, elsewhere.”
A grin spread across my face as I glanced between the alicorn and unicorn. “Then how did you befriend Sunset Shimmer, Celestia?”
Sunset and Celestia blinked at the same time. It was kind of adorable really. Who knew they would get along so well?
“Pardon?” asked Celestia.
“Judging from how I see Sunset’s notebook on your desk and a smaller chair pulled up next to it, I would be correct to assume that you two have been working together?”
Celestia blinked. “Mage Shimmer merely approached us in the library yesterday with some questions regarding how we healed thee as well as some questions on Starswirl the Bearded. Because we could not talk within the library, we moved to my chambers, where we started discussing advanced healing magic. In fact, we were doing so until you arrived.” One of her eyebrows rising, Celestia quered, “How does that constitute making friends?”
It was my turn to raise an eyebrow, and for Sunset to groan softly.
“Your highness, I’m not quite sure how you used to make friends a thousand years ago, but that is how one makes friends these days,” said Sunset, trying not to be exasperated.
Celestia blinked owlishly at Sunset and spluttered. “Oh… uhhh, thank you, Miss Shimmer. I very much appreciate your companionship.”
Sunset chuckled and bowed slightly. “You’re welcome, your highness.” Her eyes locking at me, Sunset frowned. “Speaking of making friends and public opinion, Princess Alternia, I haven’t heard much about you going out into Equestria and her various cities. Shouldn’t you be out there as well?”
I took a moment to ponder Sunset’s idea and a smile formed on my lips.
“You have a point Sunset. I’ve rather been occupied of late with trying to get my government officials and the upper crust to accept me, but I think I should schedule a state visit.”
“Do you have a town or city in mind, your highness?” Raven asked, her notepad and pen already out.
My smile widened into a grin. “I do in fact.”
Outskirts of Ponyville, one week later…
“We’re on approach to Ponyville, your highness,” said Harlequin as he buzzed next to my chariot.
I opened my eyes. I had been trying to enjoy the cool breeze on my face. While travelling by train was more comfortable, it could never afford the same view as travel by chariot could give, and after being cooped up in Canterlot for the past month, I needed some air.
“Thank you, Harlequin. But do we need so many guards for my visit?” I asked.
Harlequin had taken all thirteen of my changeling soldiers, as well as six chevaliers and nine infiltrators. There were also twelve pony guard stallions and mares that remained in my personal guard. Of the ponies, eight were earth ponies and unicorns, and were being flown by their four pegasi counterparts in two chariots that flanked my own. While there seemed to be quite a lot of them in the sky, my guard was actually quite small. Yes, the number of pony guards were slowly increasing, drawn in by positive tales from their comrades as well as the sheer amount of vacancies the regiment had, but for now these ponies and changelings were all the guards I had.
Harlequin grinned in a somewhat sheepish fashion. “It is your first public outing since your coronation, your highness, and my changelings and ponies have been waiting for an assignment. Think of this as a test run for the guard as well as for your protection.”
“I’ve always been on good terms with the citizens of Ponyville, Harlequin. My looks may have changed, but it’s been a month since my coronation and longer since the truth was revealed. I think they’ll be perfectly accepting of me.”
“Your highness, we’re changelings. Our looks mean everything,” Harlequin said in a deadpan tone.
Okay, he had a point, and I nodded. I liked the fact that Harlequin was talking to me more these days. He was a good captain after all and I hoped he would serve me for a long time, despite being overly concerned for me.
“Have you considered that perhaps too many guards might scare them? Particularly since we have so many changeling guards?” I asked.
Harlequin raised an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t have heard about the Mirror Guard and the changelings in it, going by the news stories the Equestria Daily and The Equestrian Times has been doing on our regiment. None of the ponies in Canterlot batted an eye, even when we were out of our armor, your highness. Besides, we sent them a notice that they will be receiving a state visit.”
I graciously conceded that point to him as well and looked forward to the rapidly growing Ponyville. “If you say so, captain.”
When we finally landed just outside of Ponyville, we had a very strange welcome.
By that I mean we had no welcome at all. Nopony came out to greet us, and we couldn’t see anypony in the meadows or fields.
Cautiously, my guard and I advanced into the town, and found nopony. All the doors were locked, the shutters barred, there weren’t even any animals outside.
Swallowing, I turned to my captain. “Harlequin, something must have befallen the town’s inhabitants. We make for the town library and see if my student is safe.”
Harlequin nodded and opened his mouth to shout an order when a cry cut him off.
“Princess Alternia!”
I turned and saw Twilight, Spike and her friends running toward us, at a wave of my hoof Harlequin and his other guards stepped aside to allow Twilight to hug me.
“Twilight! I’m so glad you’re safe. Do you know what happened to the rest of Ponyville’s inhabitants?” I asked.
My student’s joy evaporated into an exasperated grimace and she groaned. “They’re hiding.”
Now normally if I heard that from Twilight, I would brace myself for the worst, but the way she said it was so curious that I didn’t feel alarmed.
“From what?” I asked.
“You, and your guard,” Spike said in a deadpan tone.
I was at a loss for words. When I finally could move my jaw, I could only ask, “Why in the world would they do that?”
Twilight threw her hooves in the air. “I don’t know! Despite the fact that they received a notice of your visit, your guard was in guard armor, and that there were ponies in your guard, they just assumed you were leading a changeling invasion force that had a curious habit of needing to wear guard armor and chariots.”
One of my ears twitched as I stared at my student and her assistant like they had told a lie straight to my face.
Seriously?
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Harlequin rubbing his forehead, and wished that I could do the same, but a princess was above such things.
“They also think that we’ve been brainwashed,” added Spike.
Nevermind about decorum. I slapped my hoof to my face.
“Right. Leave this to me.” Taking a deep breath, I trotted into the centre of the town square, and coughed once to clear my throat.
“Stallions and mares of Ponyville, you have no reason to be afraid of me, for I am Princess Alternia of Equestria, crowned by their highnesses Princess Celestia and Luna themselves, and formerly acted as Princess Celestia in years past.”
I let a momentary pause fill the town square to let my speech sink in. “Yes, I have been to Ponyville before, and I remember its kind citizens, its welcoming atmosphere. I recall the freshness of its produce, the cheerful greetings from all the vendors. Hence, you need not fear me, for I know you all by name, from Doctor Whooves the scientist, to Ditzy Doo the mailmare, and Granny Smith of the Apple family, and I see you all as my faithful subjects, and my friends.
“If you do not believe my words, you only have to look. Don’t the Elements of Harmony stand beside me? Did they not speak of who I was long before I arrived, long before I could have possibly brainwashed them? Have you not read your newspapers?”
As if to reinforce my point, Twilight and her friends nodded. I didn’t see any reaction from the closed shutters or the townsponies hiding in their houses, but I was certain they were watching, and reconsidering.
“So don’t be shy, come out! You have nothing to be afraid of. For I am and have always been your princess.”
Finishing my speech, I waited, in the town square for my ponies to come out. I knew they wouldn’t do so immediately, but I was pretty sure they would. I mean, why wouldn’t they? They should have seen the papers, heard recordings of my coronation speech through the radio. Rationally, why would they hide from me?
Except, that’s what the ponies of Ponyville did. They hid. They didn’t come out. I watched, and I waited at closed doors and shutters, but nopony came out to greet me. The sun kept making its merry way across the sky, and I kept waiting, and waiting, as an emptiness, a painful sense of loss tore through my heart. Even then I continued to wait, to hope, and would have continued to do so if it rained. Not that it would have happened as my guards had the place locked down tighter than… tighter than the doors that were closed to me.
I’m not sure when, but a while later, I felt Twilight’s hoof on my leg.
“Princess... I don’t think they’re coming out,” she said. At Twilight’s soft voice, a long sigh escaped through my lips as my shoulders drooped and my head bowed.
“I know,” I said to my student, breaking my silent vigil, admitting to myself what I had realized seconds after my speech. I shut my eyes. I would not cry. No matter how painful the emptiness in my heart now felt.
“Twilight, it seems they have made their stance clear. I think it is time we leave.”
Twilight nodded and leaned into my leg, the simple action doing so much to help me maintain my slipping mask of composure. “Where would you like to go, Alternia?”
I blinked my eyes rapidly. “I don’t think we can go to your library. I have too many guards. They wouldn’t fit,” I croaked.
“You’re right. Pinkie Pie, the Cakes prepared Sugarcube Corner for the afternoon tea right?” asked Twilight.
Pinkie Pie nodded, her smile a little less wide than usual, but her hair as frizzy as ever. “Of course! I’ll just nip right over to tell them we’ll be having a smaller party than expected, thanks to everypony being a bunch of scaredy waredies.”
Nodding in acceptance, I mumbled a quick order to my changelings to follow me and trotted to the Sugarcube corner, Twilight staying close beside me. It was a good thing I was at the head of the column, because then only Twilight could see my tears.
I still don’t know how Pinkie convinced the Cakes to host me, because they let me and the rest of my guards into Sugarcube Corner. I could tell they were afraid as they opened the door. Yet, I must have not wiped my eyes dry enough or maybe I simply hadn’t been able to smile sincerely enough, for the Cakes took one look at me and their fear vanished.
“Welcome, your highness,” said Mrs. Cake showing me through the door.
“Thank you, Mrs. Cake,” I said as I entered Sugarcube Corner, and was met by perhaps the happiest sight on this terrible day.
Beside Mr. Cake, who was setting down the last of the utensils, was a marvelous spread. There were several pots of tea, and from the smell, I could tell one of them was a very high quality Orange Pecot, my favorite. Aside from the tea, there were cakes, of every kind, velvet, lemon, and carrot, each with different colors of frosting and decoration. Then there were stacks of muffins, bran and blueberry, next to trays of cupcakes, chocolate and vanilla, decorated with swirls of frosting and cream. And of course, there were cookies, and biscuits, savory and sweet, butter or spiced, with nuts or with fruit.
“Um, your highness? Is this to your liking?” asked Mr. Cake in quiet voice.
I nodded fervently as I took a seat at the table. “As always, it is very much to my liking.” I fixed the two Cakes with a grateful smile, “Thank you for taking the time to prepare this, and for making all of my favorites.”
Mr. Cake blushed. “You flatter us, your highness.”
I chuckled and was about to tuck in when I noticed something rather depressing. The table was very empty. Twilight and her friends had taken seats, but there were simply too many spaces left. That was when I had a brainwave.
“Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Guards. I would like all of you to join us,” I said, turning to the Cakes and my soldiers, who stared at me in comical shock. Diamondshell in particular, had her jaw hanging open, as if I had committed some sort of taboo. I technically hadn’t, but I had definitely broke with tradition, as normally only the queen’s daughters or closest confidants could eat dinner with her.
Buzz however, didn’t bat an eyelid, and after he pulled aside a chair, he sat down.
“Don’t mind if I do,” he said, shooting me a roguish smile.
Harlequin was soon after, and he gave a nod to my guards who set their weapons down and joined me at the table. We were just about to dig in, when there was a knock on Sugarcube Corner’s door.
Mr. Cake went to get it and as he opened the door I could see his eyes widen.
“Mayor Mare.”
With a nod of thanks, Ponyville’s mayor trotted into Sugarcube Corner until she stood facing my seat at the table. Her quivering eyes met mine briefly before she bowed and said, “Your highness.”
“Mayor Mare. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked in a flat tone. I hadn’t seen Mayor Mare even peek out of the Town Hall. I didn’t think the pony deserved disapproval as she clearly looked as if she wanted to apologize, but if she truly did support me, then why didn’t I see her come out?
Mayor Mare swallowed, not daring to look me in the eye. “I’m here to apologize, your highness, on behalf of the townspeople and myself. What happened today was a grave insult that should never have happened to anypony, much less you.”
“Then why did it happen, Mayor Mare, and why were you one of those who didn’t come out to greet me?” I asked, not letting my solemn mask of neutrality waver for an instant. I had no desire to pressure Mayor Mare to tears, but I wanted answers.
“Your highness, we had seen the newspapers, and heard your broadcasts, but when ponies on the outskirts of Ponyville saw you with so many changelings, we got scared. Your student and the Elements of Harmony did tell us that it was you who was coming, but we didn’t know for sure, so I asked everypony to lock themselves in.”
Mayor Mare’s head drooped closer to the ground. “When you did arrive, we still stayed inside because we didn’t know if those ponies that were with you were ponies, or just changelings in disguise. I mean in hindsight it is silly, but we just weren’t sure, and we didn’t know if you had done anything to Twilight and the others. At least, until we heard your speech.”
That made me frown. “You were convinced by my speech?” I had thought that my words had fallen on deaf ears.
Mayor Mare nodded meekly. “I’m not sure exactly what everypony thought, but I realized it was you when you spoke to us, and those that I talked to also thought the same.”
“Then why did nopony come out?”
At my question, Mayor Mare seemed to shrink and her head lowered even further to the floor so that her glasses nearly fell off.
“We were scared as to how you would punish us for our foolishness, your highness.”
I bit my lip to prevent myself from groaning aloud. I should not have been surprised. Fear was eternal, for as soon as one fear is addressed, another always springs to take its place.
“Thank you for being honest, Mayor Mare.” I sighed. “At least I know what I could have done to prevent this from happening.”
Harlequin sprang to his hooves. “Your highness, this isn’t your fault!” he exclaimed, his declaration followed by affirmative nods from the rest of my guards.
I was happy my Captain defended me so quickly even from myself, but I still leveled Harlequin with a firm glare. “It is nopony’ fault, Harlequin, simply an unfortunate turn of circumstances.”
Which it was. The ponies of Ponyville had disappointed me today, and I was greatly saddened by the turnout, but I would not dwell in despair. I could not dwell on it, if I wanted to win back the trust of Equestria’s ponies, which I knew, one day would happen.
Besides I thought as I turned to smile Mayor Mare. I had won back the heart of one of my citizens, and here is the proof.
“It is why I am very glad Mayor Mare was brave enough to come forth and tell me this. Now I know what we can change for when we visit the next town. Isn’t that right captain?” I asked, winking at Harlequin, who bit his lip in embarrassment as he recalled his earlier statement about the changeling guards.
Meanwhile, relief poured through Mayor Mare’s body, relaxing her shoulders, and bringing a grateful smile to her lips. “Thank you, your highness.”
I gestured for her to rise and shifted a chair with my magic. “Come sit down, this has been a long and tiring day, but at least we have friends to share it with.”
“Hear hear!” declared Spike, much to the laughter of everypony and every changeling.
Magically sent letter from Luna, two days after Alternia’s Ponyville Trip…
Dear Alternia,
As you know my efforts in Venecia in assisting Dogess Sebastiana have been met with measured progress and I can safely say the city is slowly, but surely recovering. Temporary triage and medical centres have saved thousands of lives, and the food situation remains stable as the reconstruction of infrastructure and important port facilities begin.
Recently though, there have been strange occurrences in the Eastern Sea that I must bring to your attention. I have penned a similar letter to Celestia as well.
Several fishing ships that were known to have departed Venecia prior to the tsunami have failed to return to port. While we are aware of the power of the tsunami, our advisors inform us that out in open sea, these ships would have been mostly unaffected, which leaves their absence a puzzling mystery.
I did not think too much on the problem as our supply convoys had carried more than enough meat products to feed the large Griffon minority on Venecia, who depend on these fishing boats to feed them. I, my advisors and Dogess Sebastiana simply assumed that maybe these vessels decided not to head back to Venecia after they heard about the devastating tsunami due to the lack of port facilities. That was until yesterday’s incident.
At one’o clock, the Royal Equestrian Navy destroyer, one of the eight assigned to my flotilla, the RENS Gratia on patrol in Venecian waters, spotted a fishing trawler on an erratic course, and hailed it. Upon seeing no response, the Gratia hove to, and approached the vessel, which they identified as the Carnival Maria. When they boarded, nopony, or body was on board, not even corpses, and there were certain indications that a struggle had taken place. I’ve attached a summary of the forensics report, but upon examination after being towed back the port, the Maria showed extensive signs of damage suggesting the ship had been attacked. Specifically, damage to the locks on the doors, to the glasses of the windows, indicated that the Maria had been boarded and its crew killed and thrown overboard.
Most peculiarly, the Maria’s last log entry, dated a mere week before the Gratia had discovered her, noted they had a full cargo of frozen herring. That herring was gone. This suggests the attackers were after the cargo of the Maria, but what pirate would steal frozen fish? If that question wasn’t odd enough, there does not appear to be a reason why the attackers would go after the Maria for fish. The Eastern Sea has been absolutely teeming with fish, squid, plankton of both varieties, crabs, lobsters, even sea mammals like seals and whales ever since the tsunami, according to the report of oceanographer Matt Hoope who has been taking experiments. This makes the attack on the Maria and the disappearances of the fishing vessels inexplicable.
If that wasn’t strange enough, one of our cruisers, RENS The Black Beauty, found the hulk of the SS Erika, an empty merchant vessel that had been ripped from its moorings and swept out to sea. One would expect the ship to be damaged by the tsunami, but the level of destruction on the vessel was unprecedented. It had been essentially ripped apart, with the engines smashed from the inside, and the cabins torn apart. Perhaps pirates boarded the empty hulk and lost their tempers when they found nothing, but the destruction to the vessel’s seagoing capabilities seems far too intentional for it to be the result of a drunken rage.
Of note is that this fishing boom is also making the Griffons move in rather aggressively. According to reports from the captains assigned to my flotilla, they’ve spotted many Griffon fishing boats, and several of their warships patrolling in nearby international waters. Perhaps they intend to test the boundaries of our international agreements regarding local and international waters?
I am not sure exactly what to do with this situation, hence, I am turning to you and Celestia for counsel. I think the best option is to assign more escort ships to convoy duty, and send more destroyers and cruisers to Venecia, and possibly one of our battleships. We need to catch what is attacking the fishing boats, and send a subtle signal to the Griffons that their actions have been noted. Please feel free to suggest otherwise though.
Yours sincerely,
Your co-ruler, friend, and sister, Luna
Reply Letter from Alternia sent by fire magic...
Dear Luna,
I have no answer as to the reasons for these events. I am very interested to see the Griffons moving in so rapidly. While this is not of great concern, as I am quite certain the Griffons have no intention of breaking any of our agreements, I didn’t expect their government to be so proactive in encouraging the harvest of fish.
In regards to your proposal for more ships, I suggest we do not send a battleship. Recent developments in technology have led to such warships becoming powerful symbols of military and political aggression. To send one into that area so close to a simple increase in non-hostile Griffon naval activity would be pre-emptive. I do approve of sending several more destroyers and cruisers to bolster your existing patrol forces, and will discuss the subject tomorrow with Marenitz.
Stay safe Luna. While I do suspect piracy as the cause for these strange occurrences, the capture of fish of all things is something that I cannot explain at all. Hence, I’d advise caution.
Yours sincerely,
Your friend and sister, Alternia
On the same day…
Admiral Marenitz’s office was spartan in appearance and function. A heavy desk of dark hardwood, several bookshelves, a large green filing cabinet, some file-boxes on her desk, and a set of drawers for stationery and office equipment.
That being said, Marenitz did have a couple of pieces of memorabilia scattered in her office. Most were not very noticeable, like the engraved spyglass under the windowsill. There was, however, an oil painting of Marenitz’s first command, the RENS Enterprise, an older iron-hulled sailing ship bristling with gunports, that hung behind her.
I had been in this office a few times, but this was one of the rare times Marenitz had asked me to meet her. This was just as well as I planned to request she place more ships under Luna’s command, but I was still mystified as to why she wanted to speak to me.
“Princess,” Marenitz greeted, looking up from the pile of papers on her desk.
“Good to see you, Admiral.” I studied the mess of paperwork on Marenitz’s desk. “You know I could transfer over a few more secretaries to help you with this.”
Marenitz chuckled. “Thanks, but no thanks. This is a bit too sensitive for most ponies’ eyes.” Marenitz grabbed a folder from one of her file box and placed it in front of me. “You know how you asked me to check on the cause of the tsunami and the storm a month ago.”
I nodded. The storm’s magical nature and its coincidence with the tsunami had seemed far too bizarre, so I had asked Marenitz to look into it. Hopefully she had discovered something,
“I’ve pulled every expert oceanographer, magician, and meteorologist I could get my hooves on and who’d be willing to swear themselves to secrecy, to take a good look at the situation. I even sent one of my cruisers with a team to have a look at the epicentre, and I can tell you only this.”
I leaned forward, my ears straight up, ready to listen to what Marenitz had to tell me.
“The storm and tsunami were caused by magic.” I blinked. Surely there was something more, but Marenitz said nothing else, only confirming what everypony suspected.
“Wait, that’s it?”
Marenitz nodded, a scowl on her grizzled features. “Yup. We couldn’t figure anything else. It’s driven my scientists and experts batty, but apart from the fact that they were both magical, we can’t figure if they were related, whether it was part of a spell or natural phenomenon, or even why magic decided to behave this way.”
I frowned. Granted, ocean magic wasn’t a very well studied field, but the experts in the REINS should have been able to find something. I mean they were the Royal Equestrian Intelligence and Naval Service and I had always made sure they had considerable resources at their disposal. Their inability to figure anything out apart from the obvious was troubling to say the least.
Sighing I nodded. “Keep me posted on, and inform me if you find anything of interest. Is there anything else you’d like to tell me, Admiral?” I asked.
“Actually yes, we’ve found Golden Star.”
My hoof instinctively touched the chestplate covering the wound in my carapace as I breathed out in relief. Not for a moment had I suspected Golden Star was behind the disappearances, but I had to admit that relief filled my heart to know he had been apprehended and that the fact that he had disappeared from his prison was now rectified.
“Good. I assume the Venecians have re-imprisoned him?” I asked.
Marenitz raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean… Oh! Forgive me for not making myself clear, he’s dead.”
I blinked owlishly. “Dead?’
“As a doornail.” Marenitz grabbed a folder from her desk and pushed it over. “Here are the photographs identifying his remains for your perusal with the coroner’s report. He drowned after being thrown about willy nilly by the tsunami, but our forces on site managed to identify what was left of him using his dental records.”
Curious, I glanced into the folder, winced as I saw the contents, and closed it. That was Golden Star, as nearly unrecognizable as he was, but that was him. I couldn’t forget the face of the pony who had put a hole in my chest and nearly killed me after all, even if it had been battered by waves. I didn’t know how precisely I felt about his death however. I was glad that he wouldn’t be able to hurt me, but at the same time, nopony deserved to die like that, his limbs and body mangled, twisted, and bloated almost beyond recognition by a disaster of unknown nature.
“Your highness?” asked Marenitz in a concerned voice.
I smiled wanly. “I’m fine. I just have some mixed feelings about Golden Star’s death,” I said.
Marenitz snorted. “Well, you wouldn’t be our princess if you didn’t react that way.”
I grinned, this time with complete sincerity. “You flatter me, Admiral.”
“Don’t fish for compliments, it isn’t becoming of you,” snapped Marenitz. She crossed her hooves on her desk. “Now, what’s this I hear from the grapevine about you wanting to ask me for more ships to be sent to Venecia?”
Chuckling I explained to Marenitz my reasons for why we should send additional warships to Venecia. Yet, as we ironed out the details, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought in my head.
Just what in tartarus was going on in the Eastern Sea?