Memoirs in Ink and Blood

by Corah Il Cappo

Guile

Of all the presumptuous nerve!

This simple minded, country bumpkin, upstart unicorn has the audacity to take for herself the title of princess? I could scarcely believe my ears when I heard the news. She had not an inkling of the suave, charisma, or pedigree required to rule a nation. I on the other hoof, spent my entire life being groomed for these very tasks.

I was the prince! It was I who was next in line for the throne, not her! Who was she to usurp the natural order and put herself upon the throne?

"You're not the only one with sins to mend."

Of course, even I had my mistakes.

Two, perhaps three years ago at the Grand Galloping Gala, I met a young mare. She was catty, rude, and managed to ruin my suit with cake. Yet, despite all her flaws, I never forgot about her. She had a certain... je ne sais quoi about her. Perhaps it was her unrefined nature, or her fierce attitude that made her so memorable.

Recently however, I learned of her untimely demise. It was a gruesome affair. An act of butchery so savage I did not dare speak of it. I discovered that I had been too late for the funeral. Despite this, I felt as I though I were compelled to pay my respects to her.

To do so however, I would need the location of her grave. The "princess" surely knew this. She was going to make me swallow my pride. The taste was bitter; like black coffee mixed with soured cream. But, I had spent my entire life training for moments such as these. I bit my tongue, both figuratively and literally, and entered the room.

My companion, Shining Armor, nearly blew the doors off when he opened them. He seemed far more intent on action than I. I had come to talk reasonably, not to engage a goddess in a duel. Although I despised her, I understood that strength would get me no where.

A prince wins his battles not by strength, but by guile.

I allowed the captain to speak first. He seemed to be intent on the fact that the goddess herself, rather than Discord, had caused these deaths. She didn't deny it. In fact, she seemed to accept it.

The captain fell silent, so I seized this opportunity to speak what was on my mind.

"Your majesty, I have a request to make of you."

Her eyes carried a look of condescension, as though she were looking down at a scuttling insect.

"Speak."

I ceased clamping down on my tongue.

"There was a pony among those slain in Canterlot. A young mare with a white coat and purple mane. I wish to know the location of her grave, so that I might pay my respects."

I searched her eyes, trying to find one of the many telltale signs of a successful bargain. She gave away nothing.

"Request denied."

There was no reason. No explanation. Just a simple denial. I inquired why she had declined to disclose such information, and the only response I received was a glare and a point to her crown. She claimed that it was not my place to know such things, much less to inquire about them.

I was through with listening.

"How dare you! An uncultured pig such as yourself dares to speak down to me? You may be a goddess, and you may bear the title of princess, but you are not royalty. You have no right to the throne you rule from, nor to the nation you now direct."

Her eyes narrowed into slits.

"And you would replace me? You do not have the slightest inkling of the power I wield. I could crush you like an ant in an instant. You do not have the might to control Canterlot, much less the nation of Equestria."

She was right. I didn't have the power she had.

Not by strength, but by guile.

"To rule is my right!"

I don't quite remember what happened after that. There was a blur, a searing pain in my chest, and a loud crack. My eyes closed then, and when I opened them I was halfway across the room. I said some things in that moment that I'm not proud of. I cursed the goddess who usurped me, hoping she heard every hate laced insult that spewed from my mouth.

Shining Armor stood above me, holding back the traitor with his blade. The strain in his face was like nothing I had ever seen before. He screamed for me to run. I didn't need to be told twice.

I sprang to my hooves. Without looking back,I charged headlong into the hallway.I had to get out of here. I may have had the right to rule, but what use was my right if I were dead?

I rounded a corner and nearly collided with a small platoon of guards. Seeing that I was bleeding and sprinting for my life, they halted me and questioned what the problem was.

I had to think quickly.

"Please! You must help me! Shining Armor has gone mad! He's attacked the princess! I tried to stop him, but look what he did to me! Please! Help!"

They bought it, and dashed for the throne room.

I fled the palace.

I fled the city.

I couldn't stay here. Soon my ruse would be discovered, and the hunt for my hide would begin.

For now however I was free. I exited the city gates without incident, and marked my course for the Everfree forest. They would never think to look for me there. As I left behind the beauty of Canterlot, I resolved that one day I would return to take her back.

Not by strength, but by guile.

Comments

[Raistlin]

"How dare you! An uncultured pig such as yourself dares to speak down to me? You may be a goddess, and you may bear the title of princess, but you are not royalty. You have no right to the throne you rule from, nor to the nation you now direct."

Guile? Screaming and insulting in the face of a friggin´ alicorn who has just taken the throne after murdering the others, plus her once best friends, is considered "guile"?

[Misplaced Mage]

Interesting choice of viewpoint character for this chapter. When I first saw the title, I was expecting Queen Chrysalis. BTW, it's "ruse," not "rouse"—Blueblood isn't arising from sleep.

3442114

Well, this is Blueblood we're talking about. His concept of guile may not mesh well with reality's.

[val]

how do you keep making chapters exactly 1,000 words long?

[Seether00]

Wow, Blueblood is deluded.

[Corah Il Cappo]

3442114

Blueblood is not smart. He has only the faintest idea of what guile means. He understands the idea of talking through his problems rather than using force, but beyond that? Nothing.

[Pearple Prose]

I like how you didn't make Blueblood completely insufferable, like most writers tend to. Also, I totally read this in his voice. Nice chapter.

Soon my rouse would be discovered

ruse?

As I left behind the beauty of Canterlot

"As I left the beauty of Canterlot behind" sounds better, but that's just me.

[Corah Il Cappo]

3443232

Ugh. I totally missed that. This is what I get for writing at 2 AM again. Error should be fixed now. Thanks.

[Psitally]

The plot has been building for some many chapters! But that's a good thing as long as you release chapters fast. Overall I think this chapter is good I just hope that shining doesn't die. I would imagine luna, bb, And shining causing a revolution to overthrow twilight.

Previously twilight said she could bring back the "dead" so maybe she will bring back the main six and create a really suspenseful ending that's 50% terror and 50% psychotic

[BronyDJ]

Well... damn.
Feels abound.
Please update soon, I'm loving this!

[TurboSwag]

I on the other hoof, spent my entire life being groomed for this very tasks.

I don't think that's supposed to be plural.

Without looking back,I charged headlong into the hallway.I had to get out of here.

Skipping spaces to cheat on your 1000 word limit? For shame.

[VNilla]

I don't quite remember what happened after that.

I'm pretty sure this is the title of Blueblood's autobiography.

[Capacitor]

I'm really starting to warm up for Her Divine Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Goddess of Magic.
She's nicely neurotic, a bit robotic, possessed by cold logic... In short, the best kind of insane.

[the host]

You've played Borderlands 2, haven't you.

[Corah Il Cappo]

5108726

Did I somehow reference it here? I played it once for about five minutes so I wouldnt know.

[the host]

5109390 "Je ne sais quoi" was a termed used by a side character in the first level of the game. Meaning "the finishing touch".

[TheGreatEater]

5110131

Actually the word means a "certain unidentifiable something about a person, place, or thing."

[Darthdarius117]

C'mon Blueblood, channel your inner Baratheon.

[ImpossibleReflection]

5110439
It is French, and it translates to "I do not know what"
"Je ne sais pas" means "I do not know"
the "pas" can be replaced with other words to mean different things. Such as "Jamais" which means "never"
"Je ne sais jamais" would be "I never know"
as such replacing "pas" (general negative) with "quoi" (what) you get
"Je ne sais quoi" meaning "I do not know what"
I hope you enjoyed that impromptu French lesson. Au revoir.

[TheGreatEater]

6558773

6558773

True that's the direct translation. But it's used to talk about a certain unidentifiable something about a person, place, or thing. But yes, in a linear translation [not useage of the term] that's what it says. Not exactly what it means [in context of what it is being used for].

Although all the little extras you had past that were interesting. Thanks.

[brisa_mlp]

Prince Blueblood thinks he can take Equestria back 1 fool wasn’t enough now we have 2

[Yutah123]

Not by strength, but by guile.

While taking Twilight her off the throne is all well and good, I’m not sure if you deserve it, either.

[That Wasp At Your Picnic]

Blueblood, you fool..

[Icy_blue_orchid]

I think Blueblood running away was the best choice. Well I mean he could have died if he didn’t so maybe he was rightful to the throne and yes it would be messed up if he died. Even lying to get the hell out of here was just umm bad but understood by me because Twilight stabbed Blueblood. I mean the elements of disharmony would work in a good way.

[Icy_blue_orchid]

3442114
I mean basically his aunt got killed by twilight so it would make sense. Celestia and Luna are a part of his family. Blueblood is the nephew of Celestia and Luna

[NAH223445566]

9648120
Perdió su infancia en estudios para gobernar, mínimo que lo haga por un año.