Chapter 3
Triumph strode into the Grand Hall, sagging a bit under the weight of her armor. She was just returning from the refugees’ camp and still reeked of travel and sweat, but apparently the big shots wanted to hear her report right away. The thought of smelling bad in court scared her more than the threat of battle. Still, duty was duty. She walked with more confidence than she felt.
Most of the court hadn’t assembled yet, but beneath the banners that bore Bounty’s cornucopia, the few ponies present were staring at her. Diamond Edge was already there, as was Mirror Sheen and one of her hangers-on. Comfort Glow had entered just before her, and was still crossing the hall.
She hurried, reaching the base of the empty dais seconds after he did. She placed herself beside Diamond Edge. “I’m glad you’re here,” she muttered.
The old soldier’s scowl tightened. “Well? What did they say?”
“Please,” said Mirror Sheen. “We’re all anxious for your news.”
“Right,” she said. “They had—” She paused as the great doors opened behind her, grinding against the stone floor. Battlement hurried in, huffing and puffing. Triumph turned back to Mirror Sheen. “They had two tradesponies. A cooper and her apprentice.”
“Good,” said Comfort Glow. “We could use a cooper.”
“Not badly enough to risk the consequences,” said Mirror Sheen. “The disruption of letting in refugees would outweigh what we’d gain. Word could get out. Who knows how many more would follow?”
“If it’s tradesponies who follow,” said Comfort Glow, “I’d count it as a blessing. I think we should take in the whole group. That way—” Triumph heard the doors swing open and turned to see a pair of courtiers, Legacy and Helix, trot inside.
Mirror Sheen leaped on the pause. “That’s too dangerous. Even if we make it clear that we’re turning away unskilled labor, that information won’t make it into the rumor mill. You know how these things get distorted. We’d be inundated with untrained rabble.”
“Quite right,” said Battlement. “Far better to act with caution.” Yet another pony entered the hall, but this time Triumph didn’t bother turning to see who it was as the hoofbeats cantered closer.
Diamond Edge’s scowl became a full-on grimace. “Bastion’s orders were to take in the ones who know a trade.”
“And their families,” said Comfort Glow.
Mirror Sheen shook her head. “Bastion is in no shape to give orders. Her wound was too much for her.”
Battlement cleared his throat. “Her service was admirable, but we need leadership from somepony more capable,” he said as the doors ground open once again, “with the vigor to stand up to—” He stopped, staring at something behind Triumph, not quite remembering to close his mouth.
Triumph turned. Bastion was entering the Grand Hall, walking with a slow, measured tread. She stood tall, facing straight ahead, her mouth a thin line. Her face was as bad as any of the rumors. It was unbandaged, exposing the scabbed, swollen flesh where her right eye should have been. The hall was silent save for the clink of Bastion’s horseshoes.
Mirror Sheen stepped forward as Bastion reached the ponies clustered beneath the dais. “What a pleasant surprise,” she said through a shallow smile. “I hope you’re well enough to stay. We wouldn’t want to overtax your health.”
Bastion didn’t slow, didn’t so much as glance her way as she marched forward, forcing Mirror Sheen to scramble aside rather than be trampled. Bastion passed them all and climbed the three steps of the dais before turning to face them from above.
Battlement bristled. “Now see here!” he said. “This is highly premature! The regency is anything but settled. Come back here at once!”
Bastion stared down at him.
Battlement took a half-step back before glancing around at all the ponies watching him. He paused, puffed himself up, and advanced. “Don’t make me come up there.”
Diamond Edge barked a short laugh. “You won’t. She could take apart anyone here, and you know it.”
“I don’t—" Triumph began, then cut herself off.
It was too late. The whole room was staring at her.
“You may as well say it,” said Comfort Glow.
Triumph’s face burned. “It’s just, she’s not that much better than me. I could probably win, now. Because of her wound. I mean, if we were sparring or something.”
“Mm,” said Diamond Edge. “Before anyone tries taking advantage of that wound, I hope you all remember how she earned it.”
There was a moment of silence. For the hundredth time, Triumph wished she had been at the baron’s side that day, that she had done something. Bastion had tried, at least, and she had the scars to prove it.
Mirror Sheen cleared her throat. “If we’re all finished posturing, there remains the matter of these earth ponies. Taking in a simple cooper still isn’t worth the risk of becoming known as a city that welcomes refugees.”
“So there’s a cooper,” said Bastion. “We could use a cooper.”
“And an apprentice,” said Comfort Glow.
“It’s too dangerous,” said Mirror Sheen. “If the others move on and spread the tale—"
“So we take them all in,” said Comfort Glow. “No one moves on, no one spreads the tale.”
“All of them?” said Mirror Sheen. “You’re not serious.”
Comfort Glow shrugged. “Like you said, we can’t take the risk. Besides, we’ll want them once planting season comes.”
Bastion nodded. “They’ll stay in the castle tonight. Tomorrow we’ll find them more permanent places in the town. Diamond Edge, go and bring them in. Helix, see that they have shelter when they arrive.” The two ponies bowed and hurried off.
Mirror Sheen scowled up at Bastion. “Are you done?”
“No. We’ll need a new captain of guards to take my place. Triumph.”
Triumph stepped forward, standing tall, trying not to think of all the eyes on her. “I, I’m honored, but Diamond Edge would be a better choice. He has decades of experience.”
“Too many decades. He can’t lead from the front anymore. You can.”
Triumph bowed. “Yes, my lady.”
“‘My lady,’ is it?” Battlement forced a laugh. “Is she the regent already, then?”
“I don’t like this,” said Mirror Sheen. “I might have laid aside my claim for the Bastion I knew a week ago, but now… I don’t know. She’s going soft.”
There was a moment while everyone took that in. “Soft?” said Comfort Glow. “I expected you to make up some reason she wouldn’t do, but… soft?”
“I’m as surprised as you are,” said Mirror Sheen, “but she’s been through a lot. Now we find she’s stepping down as captain of guards—the position my husband asked her to fill—and she’s taken some earth pony orphan into the baronial suite. What am I supposed to think? Is that the ruler Tintagelding should have?”
“An earth pony?” Triumph found herself asking. “Really?” That didn’t sound like the Bastion she knew. If it was true, then… she wasn’t sure. Maybe Bastion really had changed.
Comfort Glow drew himself up. “He—”
He cut himself off at Bastion’s upraised hoof. She was silent for a moment before speaking. “My brother died for that pony.”
Mirror Sheen’s face twisted into a snarl. “It wasn’t worth it.”
“It happened,” said Bastion. “Bounty is dead and Bramble Berry is alive. I’m not going to turn him away, after that.” She stepped down from the dais. “We’re done here.” She made her slow, deliberate way towards the doors, brushing past Mirror Sheen without a second glance. As she passed, Triumph saw the ruined half of Bastion’s face twitching, jaw clenched so hard the tendons stood out in her neck.
Triumph fell into step behind her. “You really think it’s what he would’ve wanted?” Triumph asked.
“I think so. Wish I could ask him.”
“Yeah.” Triumph glanced up to the banners with his mark. “I guess we should replace those. I’ll have some made with your mark, instead.”
Bastion followed her gaze. “No,” she said. “Leave them up.”
“Go on,” said Comfort Glow. “You can say hi.”
Bramble Berry peeked around the big pony’s legs, his stuffed soldier clasped firmly in his mouth. Two unicorns were playing in the chamber ahead. The big one ran around, hopping all over the furniture with the small one riding on his back, all four legs clamped around the big one’s barrel. Both were laughing. Bramble Berry had played that game with his sisters, before.
“The older one is Bonfire,” said Comfort Glow. “Busybright is the younger one.”
Bramble Berry put the soldier on the ground. He took a step forward, then another, then froze.
“Boys!” called Comfort Glow. Bonfire slowed down and made his way over.
There was a lump in Bramble Berry’s gut. He remembered Busybright. He remembered pushing him off the bed, and he remembered the look on the foal’s face when he landed. Bramble Berry went back behind Comfort Glow and watched the foals from between his legs.
“I’d like you to say hi to Bramble Berry,” said Comfort Glow. “He’ll be staying in the keep with us.”
“Hi!” said Bonfire.
Busybright waved. Did he even remember? He was barely more than a baby. Bramble Berry looked up at Comfort Glow, and then at the ground.
“What are you two up to?” said Dad.
“I’m Flamerider!” said Busybright.
Dad nodded. “I see. And that makes Bonfire the dragon?”
“Yeah!” said Bonfire.
“Why don’t you let Bramble Berry take a turn?”
“Sure!” said Bonfire. “He can be the dragon.”
“I don’t want to be a monster,” said Bramble Berry.
“Flamerider’s dragon is a good monster,” said Bonfire. “It doesn’t count.”
That didn’t sound right. Bramble Berry frowned. “Who’s Flamerider?”
“He’s the best knight there ever was! So his dragon has to be a good guy.”
“But knights aren’t always good guys.”
“Of course they are,” said Bonfire. “They’re unicorns. Come on! I’ll be Discord.”
Before Bramble Berry knew what was happening, he found himself helping Busybright climb onto his back. Then Bonfire started running, so Bramble Berry had to chase him.
“Faster!” said Busybright. “Go faster!”
Bramble Berry grinned, and went faster.
Bastion forced herself upright on throbbing legs. Her performance in the Grand Hall had left her exhausted; once they were out of sight, Comfort Glow had all but carried her up the tower stairs and laid her in bed. Tired as she was, she had woken to the sound of her sons laughing, and that was more important than sleep. She nudged her chamber door open and shuffled into the hall.
Her husband stood in the entrance to the boys’ room. She went to his side, and nearly tripped over Bauble Bounce’s stuffed knight, which lay discarded at Comfort Glow’s hooves. Bastion tried to summon up the old anger that someone had desecrated her daughter’s toys, but couldn’t muster the energy.
Beyond, the boys played with Bramble Berry. Bonfire wrestled against the two smaller ponies, letting them bear him down rather than use his full strength.
“They’re getting along,” she said at last.
Comfort Glow looked at her. “They are,” he said. “I think this will work.”
She didn’t take her eyes off them. “It’s like he’s moved on already.”
“No.” He ran a hoof along her coat, smoothing it. “But he’s starting to.”
“Good,” she said. “That’s good.” She bent and picked up the toy knight, then turned to go.
“Taking that back to Bauble’s room?” asked Comfort Glow.
She gazed down the hall, to the door that had been her daughter’s. “Not Bauble’s room,” she said. “Bramble Berry’s.”
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Is that it?
That was quite good. A well done setting, and interesting characters I'd love to learn more about.
Also, I found the Sir Prancealot offhand bit unexpectedly amusing.
3507816
Nope!
3508120
If you like puns about names, then you are going to love this series. I have four that I'm really proud of, and I've only used one so far.
Can't help but think this sort of just stops before it gets anywhere.
the chapters are short but i can ignore it abit. the story is great so far. it's interesting
It's pretty much unheard of I find a headcanon so closely matching mine, so that helped draw me to this. I was very impressed. It's got some real Game of Thrones vibes, with enjoyable characters and a fascinating storyline. I really want to see what happens next, so please continue it! Makes me want to work harder at my own fic (which was originally titled Kinship, ironically)!
The only problem I have is you might want to tag this story as Dark. I know, it doesn't seem dark by ordinary standards, but my experience is any story significantly Darker than the show needs the tag.
I'm sorry, but I don't think you could have chosen a less imaginative name if you tried. It's like calling Mario Bros. "Fat Italian Plumbers Fight Dragon-Turtle to Save Princess", or 80's Batman "Vaguely Homoerotic Man and Child Team Fight Kooky Crime".
I absolutely love this story.
that was amazing!
I am very sad that it is all done and over with, but it was well written nonetheless.
Good luck on future writings,
-The Believer-
Capital job sir, really, wonderful story you got here! These types of fics that revolve around smaller episodes/stories and original characters we'd never see in the show (when pulled off correctly of course) are among my favorite! Definitely will check out more of your fics in the future, and again, thank you for the wonderful read; good luck with your future writings!!!
Is it done? That's too bad I rather enjoyed it and I like open ended endings like this not too much is left hanging and a good amount left to the readers imagination
Well, I quite liked this, and I can't wait for the next installment!
Damn. Perfect. Just perfect.
Is this story's title a reference to the Dr. McNinja comic book 'A Cumberland Ninja in King Radical's Court'?
3508194 m-more? yessssssssssssssssss
What?
Are you tipping us for a morsel?
That's too short, we'll starve!
If this is going where I think it's going, based off the title and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court...
You're an absolute genius. Faved/watched.
Great characterization, writing and world building. Can't wait to see where you will take this. Look here for some more in-depth thoughts.
Maybe it's just because it's 3 AM, but every time I saw Mirror Sheen I read it as Martin Sheen.
martinsheen.net/roles/apocalypse8a.jpg
Because why not?
I dread to think how long this one was on my RiL list, but I now wish I'd got to it a little sooner. Not really the sort of fic I usually like (which may be why it took me so long!) but it had an attractively medieval feel to it both in terms of the setting and the political manoeuvrings that were going on. I part company slightly from most commenters (it seems) in that I wasn't that keen on a few of the names ("Tintagelding" felt a little forced even by MLP standards, since the [first] G is soft in our world's version) but despite the rather grim setting and the harshness of the tribalism I certainly found myself more intrigued than repelled. I'd have been interested to have read more about these times, actually.
Quite excellent.