//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 Forgotten legacy // Story: The swordsman in white, and the red mage // by Joseph_Tanner //------------------------------// One of the servants left seeking her as requested, while the other stayed and kept him company. “What’s wrong?” The mare inquired. “I can’t move…” He replied. “I could help you eat if you want me to.” She offered. “Let’s see what Itrix can do about it…” “Do as you see best.” The mare replied and went silent. Minutes later Itrix finally arrived. “What happened?” She wondered. “I just can’t move even if I try to.” “You must have over-worked yourself yesterday. Let your muscles regenerate today, and you should be fine tomorrow.” She explained. “That easy?” Altamir wondered. “As simple as it sounds…” She assured him. “I’ll help you with breakfast, then I’ll find someone to keep you safe and company for the rest of the day.” “Sure…” The servants left right away, Itrix helped him as she said she would then moved on. On her way to the barracks she ran into one of the guards who she could call a friend as well. “Hey Itrix, where’s the hurry to?” He wondered. “Hey Moondust, could I ask you a favor?” “Depends on what it would be.” “You would have to look after a friend of mine… He over-worked himself yesterday and can’t move…” Her friend rolled his eyes and sighed. “How come we are best of friends, while you keep asking me to do shit like this?” He wondered with a grin. “I’ll get you a week free…” Itrix replied jokingly. “I’m in…” He replied with a grin and Itrix lead him to Altair where she introduced them to one another. “Altamir, meet my friend, Moondust. He’s a Major of the Royal guard.” “Hi.” Altamir replied. “And this is Altamir…” She continued. “If I could move my hands… You would be getting the middle finger… Twice…” Altamir informed her. “I see you two are a match made in heaven…” Moondust threw in jokingly. “I’m sure you two will be good frie-” She was cut short by a guard. “INCOMING!” He yelled, and the city was hit by boulders of all sizes, and the room came down above them. *Grunt* “Guys?” “Yeah?” They both asked in unison. “ “Moondust, get Altamir to safety!” “Got it!” He replied and dragged Altamir away. Itrix used her magic to make room for them to leave, then met up with the King and Queen. “Itrix, go help the defenses, we’ll be on the front.” Cosmos exclaimed, she nodded in response. When the got to the battlements she joined the mages while the troops began pushing back the enemy. Looking up he saw the Pegasi block out the sky, carrying various things with which they would bombard the attackers with. When she was about to look back down she noticed something off, or… Someone… It was Walgarus at the lead. That fucker always surprises me… But how the fuck is he up there with no wings? She pondered, but had no time to  bother with it. “Are you guys ready?” Itrix asked her fellow mages who nodded. Here goes… They focused hard, and soon the incoming army way parted by beams of magic tearing it’s way through the enemy lines. “NOW!” She heard Walgarus yell, which was shortly after followed by the whistling made by their improvised artillery: Barrels full of glass shards, sand, and other unpleasant materials. After dropping their cargo the Pegasi joined those on the ground… The battle went on for hours, until the battle became rather one sided… The enemy had lost all morale, and most of them tried to run away, those in the front kept saying “Get back!” While those in the back said “Forward!”... They were pushed into their demise by their countrymen. At last, Canterlot was safe once more, and the surviving defenders began to rest. “Well, they won’t be back so soon…” Walgarus exclaimed. “I hope so… They came without any indication… Or reason of which we know of…” Galaxie threw in. “You know the Saddle Arabians, they think they can do anything…” Cosmos replied. “Next time I won’t hold back…” Itrix spoke up. “Prepare for round 2!” One of the guards yelled, and an army many times larger appeared. “Oh, you have got to be kidding me…” Itrix muttered. The defenses set up all prepared, the mages were ready and the Pegasi got their next shipment of bombs. When the two fronts were about to meet everybody stopped at the ear-piercingly loud whistle which echoed all over Canterlot.  Soon both the Arabians and Equestrians stood in confusion, as a third army appeared… Comprised of Humans… Seconds later Itrix receiver a text message…   “I have nothing to do with this shit…” It was from the same person she usually received calls from. Yeah right…  “Uh, Cosmos? What do we do now?” She wondered. “We wait, and watch who they attack…” He replied. Soon the Humans turned their blades to the defense of Canterlot, doubling the amount of the total troops. The newly arrived reinforcements forced the equine ones back and made their way to the front rows. “This is going to be interesting…” Walgarus noted. “I would rather say quick and one sided…” Itrix replied, and the Humans began cutting through the invaders until none remained, in fact none of them lived long enough the even lay an eye at the royal guard behind them. “I’m glad we made no wager…” Walgarus whispered to her. “I’m glad they stood with us, you know…” She replied, pointing out the difference between their priorities. The last attacker had fallen, so the Humans turned to face Canterlot and sheathed their blades. “Come, my friends… We need talk…” Cosmos yelled to them. At first glance their rank was clearly indicated by the complexity of their robes and equipment. Seconds later only of said Humans made it’s way toward Cosmos and Galaxia. “At last, we finally meet face to face…” She highest ranked exclaimed. “Have some respect, you filth!” One of the guards exclaimed from aside Cosmos. “Or else?” She asked, her eyes being the only thing to have moved. The guard didn’t respond however. “Thought so.” She continued, and stood still, holding a rather strange looking spear with a hole leading down the shaft, the blade being rather off center. She was confident about both being about the equal level of strength. “Have we talked before?” Cosmos inquired. “No, but I… Well. we all know everything about you.” “What’s your name?” “I’m Extos, Extos De Solaris, do you know what’s the other reason I’m here?” She replied with a question. “No, but I assume you will tell…” Galaxia threw in. “According to our information somebody named “De Marz” can be found here…” She replied. The monarchs remembered Altamir’s name, and realized the situation. “Yes, he IS here… What do you want from him?” “Show me to him.” “What do you want from him?” “That’s none of your business…” She exclaimed. “Then you won’t pass…” One of the soldiers exclaimed, and stood in between them. She put the blade of her spear to his throat then spoke on. “Do you think I fear death? That of those behind you, of those behind me, or that of mine?” She quickly found herself surrounded by the rest of the soldiers. “Speak, and we may avoid more blood being spilled…” Cosmos replied. “Is that supposed to be a threat? If so, need I remind you that the Arabians were coming with times many troops than you have? Need I tell you NONE of mine had fallen?” She threw back. “Give me what I want, and you may live.” At this point Walgarus and Itrix joined the conversation… “You’re going a bit too far…” Itrix replied. “And who are YOU to tell me that?” Itrix tried to make her change her tone with a few of her tricks, which didn’t work. “What the?” “What’s that? Your precious magic doesn’t work? How come you’re a Human, yet you don’t know we’re immune to magic?” Extos inquired. “You leave him alone!” Itrix yelled and tried to punch her. Unfortunately for her, Solaris dodged and hit her in the back of the head with her spear’s shaft, then pointed it’s bladed end at her, then looked back at Cosmos. “Let me see him…” *Sigh* “Be so, but now tell me why you want to see him so much.” He replied. “He’s my brother…” “Don’t be joking… Your names don’t even match!” Itrix threw in. “Were you asked?” Extos inquired, then pulled her spear away as a sign of trust. “You have no clue on how we get our names…” She continued. “Come, I’ know where he is…” Itrix replied, and lead her to Altamir and Moondust. “You see… I asked a friend of mine to bring him to safety when we were attacked… He overworked himself yesterday, and can’t move much today…” “And what do you expect me to say?” “More than that, you ass bag.” Soon they got to the room Altamir was in. “I’ll leave you to it.” Itrix continued and left. Extos opened the door and was greeted by an armed guard at Altamir’s bed. “I take him from here…” She informed him. “Who sent you?” “Itrix…” “You get 10 minutes.” The guard exclaimed while passing her. “You have 1 to re-think commanding me…” Extos threw back, and knocked him out cold, then hid him in the wardrobe. “You sack of shit! You though you can get away from me?!” She yelled at Altamir. “What the fuck are you about?” He replied. “Don’t pretend you don’t know me!” “I don’t…” She made her way to his bed and pointed out the scar they shared. “So what does that mean?” She rolled her eyes and showed him her necklace, which looked just like his. “Get to the point already…” “You’re my brother!” “And why are you here?” “To bring you back home…” She replied, pulled out a vial of green liquid from a bag on her belt. “Drink this.” She muttered, and made him drink it. Soon after he got out of his bed and started for the exit with his sister at his side, but ran into Itrix. “Where so soon?” “He’s coming with me.” Extos replied. “Are you?” Itrix asked from Altamir. “I’ll be back soon…” He assured her, then left with with Extos, into the depths of Canterlot, where they entered an abandoned warehouse, with a set of stairs leading deep down. “Welcome home…” Extos exclaimed while still walking to her own room, where she explained the situation. “So… What do I have to do with this… Order? Brotherhood?” Altamir wondered. “What’s your name again?” Extos asked. “Altamir De Marz…” “Wrong! No it isn’t…” “Then what is?” “You’re not Altamir… Never were… It’s simply the name the Griffons gave you… They lied…” “Well… Then what IS my name?” “Mortis… Mortis De Lunaris…” “How do you know so much about me?” *Sigh* “I knew this moment will come… Well, we both were born into a the brotherhood by the same father and mother… Just like those you saw on our way here, we too are assassins… Were trained to be just that, the best of the best, since our parent’s were the mentors of the brotherhood. When we were 10, we were already sent out on missions to kill, threaten, steal, eavesdrop, etc. On one occasion we both were sent to the Griffon Empire to kill the King, but we failed, and during our escape attempt they cut the bridge from beneath us. I barely made it with a jump, but I had to leave you behind…” “Then came the guards to take me to the arena…” “Now, that you have returned… We can finally take our place in the order, and serve justice, freedom, and spread the truth of the world…” Extos replied. “Was that whole army hiding down here all the time?” “No, we are spread across all of Equestria… They simply came by being called upon…” She replied. “And, what do you want me to do?” Mortis (Altamir) inquired. “Go, rest… Tomorrow you will see…” She replied. [End of Chapter 3]