It has been one month since Piercing Spear and Rainbow Dash started training with blades. In the time that has passed, the Brotherhood has grown from a meager three to thirteen. The new initiates were given a proper initiation, and were training with their own hidden blades and swords. Spear was assisting me in the instruction of more advanced sword techniques, while those who thought they were ready (of whom there were only three) took turns sparring with Rainbow, with little success.
"Oof!" A recruit grunted as he hit the ground for the eleventh time today. I gestured to Spear, who nodded. He walked over to Dash and took his usual stance. Dash grinned and took her own. The initiates gathered around them, and they began their match.
They fought relentlessly, never letting up, never leaving an opening for their opponent to strike. A fire burned in their eyes as they clashed, the will to succeed becoming a driving force of their actions.
Dodging to the left, Dash narrowly avoided a strike to the face. Seeing an opening, she grabbed Spear's extended arm, pulled him in, and gave him a powerful kick to the gut. He cried out in surprise and pain, and stumbled backwards. Pressing her advantage, Dash struck him in the side of the head, the force of the blow knocking him over with a grunt.
Dash smiled at her fallen foe, and helped him up with a grunt. Nodding his thanks, he walked back over to me.
"You fought well, both of you. Congratulations, Dash." She smiled a little brighter... and I smiled a little in return. She shook her head back and forth in surprise. I heard her mumbling to herself; "Did he just... no, I'm seeing things."
I continued demonstrating sword techniques with Spear for a while, until we were interrupted.
"Altaïr!" I turned to where the voice was coming from, and was met with the sight of a guard. I waved a hoof to Spear, who nodded and went back to instructing the others.
"What do you need?" I asked him, slightly irritated. I had told Captain Armor not to have his guards disturb us during training.
"The princess has requested your presence, immediately." I contemplated this for a second. Why would she want to see me during training hours?
"Did she say why?" I asked him.
"No sir. All she said was that it was urgent."
Seven Minutes Later...
"What's happened, princess?" I asked her as I walked through the grand doors to the throne room. She seemed distraught, and jumped slightly when I spoke.
"Who- oh, Altaïr... thank you for coming so quickly." She spoke seriously, greatly contrasting her usual, motherly tone.
"No thanks is necessary. Now, please, what is wrong? You seem disoriented." She sighed when I finished speaking.
"The changelings have begun their invasion."
"What?!" I didn't bother hide my surprise this time, but I calmed myself quickly. "Where and how did this happen?"
"Salt Lick City, to the west of Manehattan. The changelings and our military are currently battling for control of the city, but it's a losing battle. If we can't get reinforcements there in time, I fear the city will be lost." I nodded and spoke to her again.
"Salt Lick City isn't that large of a point to hold, surely we will be able to drive them back?" I inquired. She shook her head.
"True, it wouldn't be that big of a loss in terms of position and resources, but the troops' morale will surely fall. It will also give the changelings a steady supply of food, which is why I do not want to lose this city."
"You're right, princess. What would you have me do in response to this?"
She turned to look at me, and I swear she saw through my hood and into my eyes when she said to me, "You will take your trainees to Salt Lick City. Assist the troops in fighting back the changelings." I spoke not a word as I turned as sprinted out the door to return to the gardens.
Upon returning to the area where we were training, I was immediately confronted by Spear and Dash. They spoke almost too quickly to process, but one question was made clear: "What happened?"
"Enough, both of you!" The immediately stopped talking and backed up a bit. "The changelings have invaded Equestria." Surprise and anger took over their faces, though Dash made it clear that she was eager to fight back. In the end, I had to pin her down to get her to stop trying to fly away towards who knows where.
"We need to prepare the Brotherhood for war."
The other Assassins took the news just as badly. Some were anxious to get into the fray, the others were nervous about going into battle so early after their training began. Nonetheless, we all loaded into the train for Salt Lick City, and set off.
I watched the castle grow more distant with each passing second, and I swear I could see Celestia standing there on the balcony, watching us go.
"Mother, guide and protect him. Please."