//------------------------------// // Chapter 13; In a Year // Story: The Wander Through Lands Unknown // by Tomas Lutwig //------------------------------// The bugle sounded making my eyes open and my body sit up involuntarily. 'Habits die hard' I thought giving a yawn and stretching. Looking to a small calendar that sat on top of the trunk at the end of my cot. The date had a small red 'X' on it with the ones prior being marked with black markers. I looked over and noticed that my two 'roommates' were already up and getting ready for their day. “You might want to hurry and get dressed, since you're so against going out naked” Iron Arm said, “The Royal Guard take graduating from boot very seriously, if you don't look your best they might make you wait another year” A shiver ran up my spine at the thought of another year of the intense training I would have to endure again. “Not to worry Iron Arm,” I said jumping out of the cot in a ratty muscle shirt and old boxers, Strong Horn shooting me a warning look. “It's not like it'll kill me to have to deal with running laps and 'beating my face'” I said earning a chuckle from the larger minotaur. “Be that as it may” He said a serious look taking his face. “I don't want to see you back here unless it's for a good reason” I nodded and gave a salute like the two had taught me, my hand curled into a fist with the second knuckle of my index finger touching my eyebrow. “Yes Sir!” I said the joviality fading from my face as well. I looked back at the cot and quickly made it look reasonable, the sheets tucked under the mattress up until the pillow which sat fluffed and devoid of any loose hairs. I gave a quick nod before turning to the trunk. Marking off the day with a pencil before throwing the two items into the trunk and retrieving my clothes as well as two new articles I had been given as a uniform. I lowered the golden cuirass over my head, resting the padded metal plates on my shoulder before tying the straps at my sides. I smiled at the craftsmanship, glad that there had been the pair of minotaur in the royal guard, having never succeeded in making a helm on my own, let alone a breastplate. After a few movements to make sure the armor was secured, I reached down and pulled out the matching helmet. I held the piece of equipment for a long moment looking at it, examining the sheen of it. After a moment I found a small scuff mark near the copper colored plume. A few seconds of rubbing with my sleeve left the scuff nearly invisible, only visible in certain angles. I placed the bowl on my head, the cool metal lames resting on the back of my neck sending another shiver down my spine, this time in anticipation. A quick look over at Strong Horn who's eyes went up and down before nodding. “You look like a hornless minotaur guard with a strange set of legs” he said a smile forming at the strange look I gave him. After a moment he walked over to me and placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “You've done a good job here, just remember that after this, you'll be a fully fledged member of the Royal guard, with new responsibilities.” I nodded, the plume flowing forward and back with my head. “I understand sir, and thank you” I said before giving him a salute similar to the one I gave Iron Arm which he returned. Without looking back I headed for the door, the soft creak the only sound as my shoes clopped out the door. I stood at attention beside four other ponies. Three female, one male all matching in color, gold armor, white coats, blue tails and manes which acted as the plumes of their helmets. The crowd of ponies behind us chattered away quietly as they waited for the ceremony to start. Captain Silverhoof stood before us, his back turned to his initiates. After a moment trumpets blared, calling out as if to the heavens before the Princess of the Sun entered causing the crowd to bow deeply and the recruits to salute along with their commander. When Celestia had come to stand before the commander he ordered his recruits to stop the salute before lowering his own hoof and for the crowd to rise. “Princess Celestia” Captain Silverhoof started, his voice being heard even by those behind him. “Diarch of the Celestial bodies, ruler of Equestria. I have found these five recruits willing and able to serve, and as such I humbly recommend their addition to your Royal Guard” he finished. The princess looked up and scanned over the five of us stopping on me and holding her gaze for a few more moments before returning it to the captain. “At your recommendation, I accept these five initiates into the Royal Guard of the Pony Sisters” she said. Celestias horn lit up a second later and a small wooden case was levitated into view. Captain Silverhoof stepped out of the way allowing the Princess full view of the new guards. The wooden case opened and five cyan colored stars were lifted out before they were levitated over to our armor and placed on the chest piece. The ponies in the middle of their armor where the seemingly decorative pieces were made to hold, my own placed on the left side of my chest above my heart. I quickly glanced at Celestia who's face bore a calm, yet obviously joyous smile. The five of us saluted to the Princess before an uproar of clopping hooves were heard behind us. After a few moments, the princess looked to her captain and nodded her head before stepping back. Captain Silverhoof retook his place in front of the group, although facing us this time and ordered us to march out between the two crowds of ponies. After we were far enough away from the crowd the captain ordered us to head back to the barracks and informed us that tomorrow was a day off for us as we would have one day to celebrate before being sent to whatever town or city we were stationed at. The ponies and I all saluted before making our way to the barracks. I smiled and waved to the ponies as they went into the room they shared with the majority of the the guard. 'Don't even know them, well at least I might get a chance to' I thought walking to the smaller room I shared with the two minotaurs. The two, I noticed were gone, presumably doing whatever it was their job was when not training new minotaur, or at least minotaur-like, recruits. I shrugged off the thought heading for the window to look outside. The day was beautiful, a few clouds floated along lazily in the sky matching the schedule. Tomorrow would come with some light rains over the majority of the castle to keep the flora alive and well. A question came up in the back of my head what I was going to do tomorrow. My first thought was head to Ponyville, the thought seemed sound enough, and I could also visit the Bonfire and rest up a little there before heading back. I nodded my head finding no problem with the plan, beyond that of Twilight and her friends hearing about Tirek's death and becoming angry or scared of me. I shook my head at the thought. 'I doubt they really remember much about me' I thought chuckling. 'Meet me once and hear about me killing Tirek, the only two to really remember would be Twilight and possibly Fluttershy out of fear' I thought laying down on my cot with my legs hanging off. 'Three years since I've seen any of them. With as much happening in their lives in the first year of their meeting I wouldn't be surprised if not even Twilight remembers me, though I don't exactly know what she's been up too' I thought before a knock on the door caught my attention. “Door's open” I said sitting up only for the Princess to walk in making me immediately jump to my feet and salute. The princess bowed back signaling me to drop the salute before smiling. “I'm glad to see you're relaxing before you truly start as one of the protectors of Equestria” she said. “I'm here because Twilight and her friends were asking about you throughout your training since they had heard of the situation. So, I've decided that we are going to pay them a visit.” Celestia finished, a smile coming to her face once more. 'Hmm, the princess of Friendship must've voiced her concern with having a murderer in the Royal Guard' I thought nodding to the princess. “Understood your majesty.” I said, “When shall we be leaving?” I asked only for Celestia to motion with her head to follow her. “Now actually, that is if you're ready. It's my understanding that the armor can become quite heavy when standing guard.” she said, keeping her winning smile. I looked down at the cuirass and chuckled. “I suppose it is a bit flashy” I said taking off the helmet and looking at it. Turning back to my trunk I opened it and stored the helmet inside before going to untie the chest plate. “To be honest, I always felt that the gold was too bright and obvious” I said undoing one of the sides before turning to the other. “Then again the silver color of steel is pretty obvious as well, seeing as how it's normally polished to a fair shine.” Slowly as to not catch the plate on anything, I slid the armor off and placed it next to the helmet in the trunk before shutting it. Turning back to the princess I smiled “I guess I'm ready” I said. The alicorn nodded turning back to the door and walking out with me following soon after. As we approached the chariot though, the princess turned and levitated out a familiar looking spear, shield, and still sheathed knife. A smile came to my face, similar to that of a child receiving a gift. “Now come, you may not be on duty, but the Royal Guard are proffered to be armed” The Solar princess said before walking into the chariot. The chariot ride was uneventful, we spoke of different things, I told her that as her sister said, my memories had diminished, though only to a point. “It is a bit strange though” I said chuckling and regaining the princess' attention from the beautiful scenery. “I was debating heading down here myself, though through train.” Looking over at the mare I noticed a raised eyebrow in question. “Well, I saw Tirek's defeat at the hands of your student and her friends before they went to return the magic, true it wasn't long before the magic that kept me a statue returned, but it was still wondrous to witness.” I said smiling at her. The princess gave a nod of understanding, “While we may not of seen it firsthoof, my sister and I have also heard it was quite the beautiful sight” “There's also the wish to see the bonfire once more, but that is something to do before I leave, or in this case, we leave” I said, making the princess give another nod of understanding. “Well from what you said that is where you first arrived, it would make sense you would wish to return there.” She said, “Quite common for someone to wish to return to where they find most familiar. Though I must ask, what did you mean about Applejack's family? Did she speak to you about them?” My face fell as my brain all but stopped. 'Well crap... Didn't expect that to happen' I thought trying to come up with an excuse that seemed logical without flat out lying to one of the mares I had sworn to protect not a year earlier as well as a few hours ago being made a royal guard. Letting out a sigh I looked up at the diarch who gave me a strange look at my actions. “Well you see your majesty-” I started only for the cart to touchdown causing both of us to rock a bit where we were standing and for me to almost lose my spear in surprise. Looking around I realized we had touched down, and that ponies around us were giving us surprised looks before bowing. “Perhaps another time princess, I would prefer to explain in private” I said only for her to give me another odd look before nodding. The two of us set off towards the crystalline castle that Princess Twilight Sparkle resided in.