Mending Light

by Kiromancer

15 - The Knight

I tripped again, fumbling in the middle of the drill. I flapped my wings to regain my balance, but was too late as my face plowed into the ground. I sighed, spitting out the snow and dirt before I pushed myself up and prepared to resume.

"Hold, Night Flurry." Starshadow called from the sidelines. "That is the third time this evening you have erred during your routine."

Merriweather chuckled. She'd insisted on coming out to our training session after saying that the bar was '‘too boring tonight’. Now, she sat on a makeshift picnic blanket with a small spread of food, levitating a glass of wine as she watched. "If you wanted to eat dirt you coulda just asked Sis’ for another duel."

I took a moment to dismiss the hoof blade, then shot a frown at Merri. I turned to Starshadow as she walked over. "I um... s-sorry... just... no, I'm okay. I'll push through it."

Starshadow shook her head, coming closer to look me in the eyes. "No, if you continue to push, you will only injure yourself. Know your limits, Night Flurry." She considered me carefully. "Three errors, all during points of the drill routine which you have previously had no problems in completing. You are not yourself tonight. You seem distracted."

Merri trotted forward to join her sister, waggling her eyebrows. "He's all hot and bothered thinking about Dusky, I'll bet."

My face flushed with heat. "M-Merri! I w-was not! We're just friends."

She snickered. "Well you are now~." Merri nudged her sister. "They went on another trip together, Sis. Who knows what they were doing?!"

"W-we weren't doing anything! Th-that was just a trip to Canterlot to see—" I twitched. "W-wait... did you follow us again?"

Merri's only response was more laughter.

Starshadow glared at her sister. "Sister, please. I hardly believe Dusky is the kind of mare to engage in the same frivolous activities as you. If I am correct, this was a trip with regards to the Leaf Cartel and the smuggled contraband."

I struggled to get my composure. "Y-yeah... we met with... um... my father..." I lowered my ears, still considering our rooftop conversation in Canterlot, and trying to sort out the feelings it had brought out.

Merri continued laughing, covering a hoof over her mouth. "Introducing her to the family already, eh? Flurry's a smoother operator than I imagined."

My cheeks burned brighter as I shook my head. "I-it wasn't like that! He's... he's a guard. He'll use Dusky's information, and... and... everything will be fine. He... I..." I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head.

"Is that what is bothering you?" Starshadow raised her head, then rested a hoof on my side. "You are concerned for Dusky?"

"Well... yeah..."

"Ha!" Merri’s laughter broke in like an errant thunder cloud. "You're so bad at this, Sis’."

Starshadow withdrew her support from my shoulder and turned to Merri. "What? I am attempting to assist him."

Her sister grinned wide. "Yeah, but he told you exactly what's wrong and you completely missed it."

I broke back in, walking out of the dirty clearing towards the blanket. "Err... no... Starshadow's right. I… I am concerned about Dusky."

"You're cute, Night. But a terrible liar." Merri winked at me, then smiled at her sister. "Of course he's worried about Dusky. He's been worried about Dusky for months. But that worry drives him!"

Merri stalked forward with the grace of a predatory cat. "No... this is different. This is distracted worry." She circled slowly, then stopped and jabbed a hoof into my wing.

I instinctively spread the wing outward and stepped away before I spun to face the crimson unicorn. "H-hey! Don't do that!"

She had already rushed forward, practically nose to nose with me with a disturbing grin on her face. "You're worried about your father~."

My eyes went wide. "M-my f-father?" I tried to laugh, but could only keep stammering. "W-what about my f-f-father?"

She tapped my forehead, then sauntered back toward Starshadow, pumping her hoof in the air. "Nailed it!"

Starshadow's jaw lowered. "Your methods are... unorthodox, sister. Still, intriguing results." She let her gaze fall back on me as Merri returned to her side. "Your father caused you distress?"

I shook my head. "D-distress? No, he... well..." I deflated, not really sure what to say to them. "I just... it made me think, that's all."

Merri grinned. "Sounds dangerous."

Starshadow nudged her sister. "That would certainly explain your preoccupation during our training session."

I absently nodded, looking down at the bracer set upon my hoof. There was a path there, that I couldn't see the end of. I recalled my father's words from that night. Beneath Luna's moon, in the pure winter night, he'd given me so many answers. Now, I had to be honest, and to do the thing that would make my father proud. To be myself.

"Starshadow... Merri... I think... n-no... I know. I'm sorry. I can't do this..." My hoof shook as I removed the bracer. "I've done this before... when I joined the Guard, years ago. I thought... Knighthood would be different somehow, but it's the same. It's just n-not who I am. I... I don't know..."

Starshadow exchanged a glance with her sister, her voice was low. "Do you not wish to protect your friends?"

"Of course! Of... of course..." I looked at the bracer, tilting it over in my hooves. "I want to be strong... I just... I don't know... I can't be my father."

I felt a bit of confidence as I continued my confession, still hoping they wouldn't hate me. "I'm not a pony who can fight for the world, a knight, rushing off to fight m-monsters and villains. I just wanted to be able to fight for my friends." I presented the bracer to them. "I... I'm sorry to have wasted your time like this."

They were silent for longer than felt comfortable. At last, Starshadow, against all odds, broke into a laugh. "Ah, Night Flurry, thank you."

I raised my eyes to find Star glancing back at Merri with an uncharacteristic grin. Merriweather sneered back.

"Bah. I still thought he'd have lasted longer." Merri kept her dark look a moment longer, then stuck out her tongue. "Still though, I think the noble resignation has got to be worth something, right?"

Starshadow chuckled, "Perhaps, perhaps. But, you cannot deny that I have won."

I blinked, lowering the bracer. "W-wait... won?"

Her face tightened into a serious expression. "I am afraid that, after confronting my Sister as to the circumstances surrounding your knighthood, we made a wager in regards to how long you would remain within my service."

Merri waved a hoof cheerfully. "I was betting at least a year. I was cheering for ya, Flurry!"

"Th-this... was all a... w-wager? A joke?" I slouched down, defeated. "I... well... I'm glad you got some enjoyment out of it..."

Starshadow moved closer. "You misinterpret our motivations. Night Flurry, it has been apparent to me that you are... ill-suited for more Knightly pursuits."

My ears dropped as I sank my head down further. "Oh..." It really had all been a bad joke. I should have suspected it, from the moment Merri had 'tested' me through Starshadow's training, it had all been wrong.

"Ah, wait no!" Starshadow waved a hoof frantically. "It is not like that! We simply did not believe you were fully capable of—"

Merri interrupted, pushing her sister aside. "Sheesh, you suck at this, Sis’. What we're trying to say is, we believe in you Night. Still do. But you're right. Being a knight isn't you."

I watched Merri, unsure what exactly they were trying to tell me. "So... why even bother training me?"

Starshadow returned, recovered from Merri's strike. "Because, you desired it for unselfish reasons. My sister may have established your knighthood falsely, but I have been sincere in your training."

Merri grinned. "Flurry, I'm sorry to say, you just aren't the kind of pony that's wired to serve others selflessly."

Star smiled in unison with her sister. "You are the kind of pony who opens his heart to a precious few, and will do anything for those whom you care about. There is no shame in this."

I sat quietly. Was that what being a hero was? Selfless service and sacrifice for some greater good. What Dusky had done in Hoofington hadn't been heroism, it had been for a friend, despite the risks. That was what I wanted to be able to do. Dusky didn't need some knight charging off to save her, to protect her. She just needed a friend who'd be willing to stand at her side, and who was capable of doing so.

"Thank you... for understanding." I raised the bracer back to Starshadow.

She straightened up, placing her hoof atop the bracer. "I, Countess Starshadow of Ostfriesen, Knight Commander of the Coral Vale and holder of your oath, release you from your service. You are freed of all responsibilities and duties to which this title once entailed."

The bracer seemed to grow cold in my hooves as Starshadow spoke. Her words have no weight. I narrowed my eyes at the thought. Starshadow's words might have been pointless, but they still had weight to them, if only for the sake of the gesture. Oaths cannot be cast aside so carelessly!

The clearing began to fade from my view. My eyes went wide as I lunged forward to reach for Starshadow, but she was gone. Suddenly, I was somewhere else entirely. I threw open my wings in preparation to escape, but only met with an endless white expanse.

I shouted to the void. "W-what?! What's going on? M-Merri? This isn't funny!"

The world faded back into view, but rather than the familiar Whitetail Woods, I found myself standing in a great hall.

It was like something I’d have expected to see in Canterlot, had I been able to enter into the Royal Palace. The white expanse was replaced by an immensely large room, with great white columns and a high ceiling that made me feel extraordinarily small. It was both beautiful and terrifying in its foreignness.

A blood red carpet led to the central feature of the room, a massive presence that demanded attention. Raised above the room on ascending steps was a golden throne, covered in cushions and adorned with gems. A tapestry hung behind the throne, dominating the wall. It depicted a light colored pony raising a hoof, and a massive black dragon bowing before her.

I began to step away from the throne, darting my head back and forth for any potential threat or exit. More tapestries were hung upon the walls, embroidered murals depicting ponies in armor, wielding weapons and magic against one another, as well as against gryphons and other creatures and monsters I didn't recognize. There was a repeated theme upon them all, that same great black dragon, looming over the battles.

“He has arrived, your Highness.”

I spun on my hooves at the voice, falling into one of the defensive stances that Starshadow had drilled into me.

Ponies filled the room now, flanking the central walkway. They all stood at attention, clad in scaled armor; similar to the kind worn by Merri and Starshadow, if not quite identical. Unlike the dull painted scales the two sisters wore, these guards all wore brilliantly polished, jet black chain and plate.

I spun back to face the throne and now found it occupied by a single mare. She filled the room with a piercing stare that instantly reminded me of Starshadow. She was a tan pony with a dirty white mane that flowed down her head in a wave. She was draped in all the trappings of authority, but the crown on her head was unnecessary to know she was in charge. This was the pony depicted in the great tapestry that hung behind the throne, and seeing her face to face there was no question that she could force a dragon to bend its knee to her.

I staggered back, just trying to keep from panicking, unsure if I should bow, or run. "M-ma'am!? I'm... I'm sorry! I didn't m-mean to um... I... I-"

Her voice was controlled as it broke into the room like a thunder clap. "Stand down. Let him through."

Before I could respond, a second voice shouted in response. "Tapioca! I demand audience!"

I turned, only just having time to jump aside as the speaker marched towards the throne. His face was severe, and he wore golden scale armor that instantly awed. I gasped as I watched him pass me by, my eyes instantly drawn to his forehooves. He wore a bracer, identical to the hoofblade Merri had given me.

I frantically searched for its twin, feeling a certainty that it was the reason I was here. I’d removed it, holding it out to return it to them. Then, it had gone cold as Starshadow had spoken. Now, it was gone. I felt the terror in my stomach spike, before the mare upon the throne spoke.

"Lower your tone, Lord Bellerophon! Remember that before all things, I am your Queen."

The name made it only more obvious. This was Bellerophon. The legendary first knight whom Starshadow had claimed originally owned the bracer. How he now walked before me, I couldn't say.

He snorted in disapproval. “You are not my ruler, Tapioca. Not if this is how you treat those who are faithful to you.” The guards standing to his side tensed, and Bellerophon glared to one side, one guard actually stepping backward. It was clear that while Tapioca was an imposing ruler, Bellerophon was no stranger to intimidation.

“I do not care, Lord Bellerophon. I will rule this country as I see fit. You have long been my most loyal knight and trusted advisor. I will forgive much of your trespasses.” Her eyes narrowed. “But do not test me. After all we have fought for, Ostfriesen must come first.”

Bellerophon’s eyes turned from the guards to Tapioca. “Ostfriesen must come first.” He parroted her tone. “Yet now you plant the seeds of its destruction. This union will strangle the country to death.”

Tapioca rose from the throne, somehow managing to become more imposing. "It is my union to make, and it is not your place to question it. Depart from my presence now, Lord, before I strip that title from you.”

Bellerophon’s eyes were unwavering, despite the obvious emotion creeping into his voice. "My oaths cannot be cast aside as carelessly as a title. I took up this responsibility of my own free will, not some thrice-cursed dragon’s promise. I will not stand by idly while our country, your country, is brought to ruin."

The Queen responded in kind, her fury tempered by some great sadness. "We have had disputes in the past, Bellerophon, but this is different. This time there can be no negotiation." She sighed, giving him one final plea. "Please."

"I will never stand down from this. I will have justice, if not from you, than from your heirs. I gave my oath to defend Ostfriesen, and nothing will stop me." He turned his back to throne and began to march out of the hallway, his last words echoing through the now silent throne. "Not even you."

From where I stood, perhaps only I could see the rage upon his face, the tears in his eyes. He trotted away from the throne towards me, then stopped as if reconsidering.

Rather than turning back, Bellerophon lowered his head as if to examine me more closely. "You."

I blinked, only just realizing he had acknowledged me. After whatever drama had just played out, I’d nearly believed that they couldn't see or hear me. "Um… m-me?"

He narrowed his eyes and began to speak, but I couldn't hear the words. The world began to fall away once again, the throne and the castle hall fading, then the ponies, and lastly Bellerophon himself, disappearing into whatever terrible fever dream had spawned him.

I opened my eyes to find the forest clearing exactly as it had been.

Starshadow stood before me with Merriweather alongside her. “Are you alright, Night Flurry?”

Merri leaned her head in to examine me more closely. "You look like you just saw a ghost. Or Dusky making eyes at ya."

I blanched. "N-no... it... a ghost." I slowly looked at the bracer still held in my hooves. I let it drop and quickly stepped back. "B-Bellerophon... she called him that... h-he saw me."

Merri gasped. “Bellerophon!? ...Who’s that?”

Starshadow sighed. “Sister, please.” Her horn glowed, and a curved caliper of magic appeared before me.

I shrank back as the caliper opened and moved forward. Starshadow peered at me, and I felt a slight pressure against the sides of my head.

“No apparent mental damage. No magical disturbance.” She flashed her horn into my eyes. “Pupils are dilating normally. Can you describe what you experienced?”

With a sigh of relief as the caliper lifted away, I explained just what I’d seen in the odd vision, the castle hallway, the murals, the Queen, and Bellerophon. “He… was saying something… but I couldn't make it out. H-how long was I… um… g-gone?”

Merri waved a hoof, “Like, a hundred years! Oooooooo! Spooky! Right?”

Her sister sighed slightly, raising a hoof to her head. “You were not ‘gone’. You were here the entire time. However, you grew unresponsive for nearly forty-five seconds.”

I gaped at Merri, but took a deep breath as Star answered me truthfully. “W-well, that’s good… right? W-will… it happen again?” I looked down at the bracer lying upon the forest floor.

“It might…” Starshadow seemed to be deep in thought. “Your vision contained an eerily accurate depiction of our capital city’s throne room. I have only been there once, and that was before sister’s exile. Though, Queen Tapioca and Lord Bellerophon are long dead.”

Starshadow considered a moment longer. “I believe this to be a case of psychometry. A memory or event imprinted upon an object through magical means. It is not completely unheard of in my studies, though I have never personally witnessed somepony experiencing it.”

“I-is… is that bad? Psy-psycho...metry means… I’m crazy?”

Merri smiled wide behind her sister. “No more than the rest of us.”

Starshadow closed her eyes. “Merriweather, this is serious.” She leaned down, carefully picking up the bracer from where I’d dropped it.

“What? Just trying to lighten the mood, make the poor stallion stop worrying a moment.”

“I thought you said worry was part of his drive.” She spun the bracer in her hooves, examining every angle.

“Well yeah.” Merri shot me a wink. “But I don’t want it to drive him away.”

I gave Merri my best smile. “Err… thanks?”

Starshadow concluded her examination and returned the bracer to the ground in front of me. “I believe this may have simply been a unique experience, Night Flurry. There appears to be no trigger, no lingering magic, no cause. If it happens again… I suppose then we shall have to investigate more possibilities. Please, inform me immediately if you experience any other such incidents, yes?”

“O-of course…” Nervously, I eyed the bracer. “Are… are you sure you want me to have this? I… I feel like… I don’t know… like I deserve it anymore. Since, well... I’m… I’m n-not going to be a knight any more.”

The sisters exchanged looks, and Starshadow smiled. “Of course. It was intended as a gift, and so it remains. You may take it and do with it as you please.”

Slowly, I reached down, as if I expected the bracer to lash out like a snake. It didn't move, and eventually I gathered the nerve to take it. I weighed it upon my hoof for a moment, expecting the forest to fade away once more. Nothing happened. “Then… I suppose… I’ll see you around?”

Starshadow nodded. “We shall, of course. Does this mean you wish to end your training tonight?”

I stopped in mid-motion, “I… well… I assumed… I’m not a knight… so…”

She chuckled. “Your knighthood was never a condition of your training. You said it yourself, Night Flurry. You are our friend.”

Merri grinned. “Yeah! You said you want to protect your friends! Well, we don’t want to see anything bad happen to our friends either!”

“Including you.”

“And including Dusky~.”

“And so, I shall continue to train you, if you so desire.” Starshadow bowed her head. “No longer as a Knight of Ostfriesen, but as a friend.”

I glanced back and forth between them, eyes welling up with tears. To protect my friends. To honor them, and not deny the gifts I had been given. Not to die for them. Not to hurt them. Not to be a hero. It all felt so very... right. “Th-thank you… thank you both. Alright, back to training, then.”

Comments

[Meta Four]

I read the corresponding chapter in From Dusk to Night first, which got me worried about Night giving up the Knight training. It’s good to see that being (honorably?) discharged doesn’t mean his combat training will stop.

[Kiromancer]

5760379
Yes, Night's not quitting, he's just re-framing the reasons why he trains. It was never his physical skill that stopped him from joining the Guard, it was the reasons under which he joined conflicting with his own nature. Resigning his Knighthood is the same, but he's now in a place mentally where he can more properly consider what is in his nature, and what he wants for himself, rather than the perceived expectations of others.