//------------------------------//
// Punch Line 
// Story: Reign of Frogs!  A collection of short tales 
// by De Writer 
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 	Skywise was all dressed up.  Gliding silently through the air above Canterlot, she spotted another Snob Swaree, down below her.  Duke Knoseup’s estate, if she remembered the layout of the area correctly.

She grinned.  It was quite some time since she’d gotten tossed out of his place for gate crashing a party. Time to try again!  She swooped low, two places over from Knoseup’s lawn party and glided in silently, barely above the garden wall.

It was tricky, landing in the little brush screened garden bench bower.  Skywise double checked that her party dress was not torn or snagged and gave her mane and tail a quick touch up brushing.

Stepping out of the path to the bower, she looked back and said, “Thank you, my Lord.  That was very sweet of you!”  She sauntered out and began to mingle.

She caught the eye of handsome stallion, resplendent in decorations of a martial nature and a Chain of Office from the War Ministry.   He courteously, asked, “Would you care to dance, my Lady … “

Smiling happily, she replied, “Skywise, of the County Skye.”  Technically that was true, though she was in no way connected to Count Skye.  She took his hoof and followed his lead on the dancing green.

Snuggling as they danced a lovely close dance, to music from a live chamber group, she asked contentedly, “I missed your name, my gracious lord.  I did recognize a War Ministry Chain and that you are greatly decorated for gallantry in action.”

He grinned cheerfully, as they swayed to the music, soft grass underhoof and clear sky overhead.  “I am Carton, Duke of Camarg.  I have seen action, yes.  My mother, the abdicated Duchess, is the real heroine in the family.  Megan Blackberry IV served in FOUR of the Gryphon Wars.  She is the only pony in history to receive the Gryphon Empire’s Golden Claw of Honor. The Empress herself called a truce to award it to mother.

“It was she who rallied our troops, broken by detonation of the Mage Weapon, and led the ground charge that broke the Great South Bay invasion.”  He shook his head. Mother nearly died from her wounds in that engagement.”

“You are very well connected, My Gracious Duke.  I know that your family is one of the oldest in Equestria.  It is a great honor indeed to meet you in person.”

With a wide grin, he retorted, “The honor is mine, sweet Skywise.  I have never met the finest party crasher in Equestria before, either!  Never fear.  I will not give you away.  I detest Knoseup.  Helping you to get away with this is too much fun to pass up!  Please be my Escort for this dull swamp stomp of a party.”

He led led the delighted Skywise to the refreshment table.   They gathered plates heaped with some of the finest “grazing” that Equestria had to offer.

As they sat to eat, Skywise asked in a small voice, “Your Grace, how did you know that I am a party crasher?”

He nickered in amusement.  “You do know that Skye is a County of Camarg?  I know Roder, Count Skye and his family well.  You are of there, by your accent, but you are no more noble than a Rom.  Well, any Rom but the Royal Family, anyway!” he finished, laughing.

Skywise smiled.  “Thank you, Your Grace.  I would like to go and get somewhat to drink.”

“I will get a cup for you, ‘my lady Skywise of Skye’ but you will be disappointed.  Those fancy bowls have naught in them but water.”

Shocked, Skywise asked, “Only water? Why?”

Duke Camarg whickerd, “Knoseup’s doctor told him that he will die if he drinks much more.  Knoseup enforces his restriction onto his innocent guests.”

Skywise stared about at all the fine trappings of the party.  At the line to the big serving bowls.  “Do you mean to tell me, Your Grace, that with all of this event and build up, that there is no punch line?”


–The End–