Chapter XXVIII – Impediments
Twilight felt hopeful.
Really well and hopeful. The visit paid to Midnight Whisper and Garnet Hoof filled her with new strength to carry on and tackle any more obstacles appearing on her path. Midnight’s parents were so kind and warm towards her, so open and friendly, she was more than astonished. And even more thankful.
She spent the following day in a luxurious set of chambers, usually prepared for other Lords that could have been visiting the Mountain of Midnight. The dark oak and silver were everywhere, in an organized, resplendent space that matched the feeling of majesty and dignity which was omnipresent in the caves all around.
Considering the stereotype that the Midnight Family was haughty and suffered from a severe case of a superiority complex... that fit. That fit a lot, actually.
The chamber she occupied had everything. A massive, comfortable bed, soft rugs, wonderful adornments, a bath pocket that could fit four...
It just missed Midnight.
He was given a separate room, as retinue, alongside Rowan Berry, and there was no chance of him and Twilight enjoying one another’s closeness during the day. She took it gallantly, the time spent in the warrior’s house thankfully assuring that she slept well regardless.
As the situation left her without the spell on her eyes for the moment, it took her some effort involving the light from her horn to prepare herself for tonight. She had a feeling that something monumental was going to happen with her witnessing the famed Testimony. What tale would she find inside she did not know. But it was not going to be pleasant. Not if it dealt about war and death.
As she finished drying herself after a magically-warmed bath, a knock on the door intruded upon her privacy.
“Enter!” she called, preparing for herself her royal dress.
The doors opened and both Midnight and Rowan Berry ventured in, the former giving her a proper, stoic salute, the latter, a small bow with a faint smile.
“Honored Princess,” they both spoke.
“Good night to you,” she replied with a small nod. “How was your day?”
The healer immediately grinned more enthusiastically. “Honored Princess, the chambers are astonishing! It’s everything you could hope for! Great beds, and the rich furnishings, and the pretty rugs and did I mention the beds? And...! And...!” She crossed gazes with Twilight, then looked down, sheepish. “F-forgive me, Princess, I get... carried away still.”
Twilight giggled. “I’m glad that you are enjoying the accommodation. I trust you slept well too, Nightguardian?”
“Yes, I did, Honored Princess,” Midnight responded with enough trained politeness. “The day passed calmly.”
“For some. The Nightguardian is snoring rather loudly,” Rowan Berry remarked, looking away from Midnight, who rolled his eyes at the accusation.
“N—” Twilight barely stopped herself from disagreeing. Midnight and she were never really meant to share a bed, or even a chamber, so she had no right to know! “No, really?” she asked quickly instead.
“Yes!” the healer replied, giving Midnight an impish glance. “Like an old, slumbering bear.”
“Slander,” Midnight protested with stoicism, staring at Twilight.
She had no right to know, but, really, she knew best.
Rowan Berry laughed behind her hoof, then bowed her head. “Forgive me the casual tone, Princess. I am just... still amazed that I am a part of this retinue. And it is not every night that you can spend time with a Nightguardian!” she pointed out, gracing Midnight with a warm look.
Twilight felt that strange sting in her heart again. She knew Rowan Berry felt excited about serving alongside a member of the Nightguard, but the attention she was giving Midnight was invoking this little bit of jealousy in Twilight. Irksome, misplaced... and yet very much present.
Midnight simply brought forth a small smirk on his muzzle. “First and foremost, Rowan Berry, it is not every night that you can spend in service of a royal,” he stated, bowing his head before Twilight.
“O-oh!” The healer looked abashed immediately. “Yes, y-yes, I know that, I did not mean to discredit that, or overlook that, I—”
“It’s fine,” Twilight assured, shaking her head, though that did not clear that pinch from her heart. “When it comes to jabs, you two are tied at the moment.” She decided to distract herself with checking whether her dress did not have any creases. “Did any of you receive word about tonight? Does Lord Midnight Eye wish to meet soon?”
Midnight nodded. “Yes, Honored Princess, we are here for this very reason. Honored Lord Eye of Family Midnight instructed that, before heading out to the Maednoca Tabulre, there shall be a short breakfast in the dining hall. He awaits your arrival.”
“Very well. Rowan Berry?”
“Yes, Honored Princess?” The healer lowered her head.
“Please, head out and inform the Honored Lord that I shall be joining him soon. I but need to get dressed.”
“Of course, Honored Princess!”
The batpony mare quickly turned, ready to fulfill the order, giving Midnight something of a passing, playful glance.
Twilight felt another sting. This was getting ridiculous. And so annoying!
As soon as the heavy doors of the chamber closed, she approached her love. She took a deep breath.
“You don’t snore. Unless you decide to.”
Midnight rolled his eyes, glancing behind for a while, like checking if the door was shut properly. “I know that. Rowan Berry is just trying to be... friendly in such a strange manner, I guess...”
“Just friendly?”
Only after spotting that the batpony’s brows had arched and his gaze changed, did Twilight realize the words and tone that she used.
“I-I’m sorry, that—”
“Wait, Twilight, wait...” Midnight stopped her, looking both slightly amused and worried altogether. “Are you... jealous?”
Twilight’s cheeks burned in an instant. “N-no.”
“You are jealous.”
“No!”
“You are so jealous.”
“N-yes...” she admitted, sighing. There was... actually no reason to hide that from him, especially since that was genuine concern that showed itself in his eyes. Concern and... sadness. “I’m sorry, I just... the way she’s so excited...”
“... does not mean a thing. She can be as excited as she wishes to,” Midnight told her, and firmly, though with a kind smile. “My heart knows but one mare. And that is not going to change. I love you.”
There was more conviction in these words than Twilight had anticipated.
“I know, Midnight, I love you too... I am not worried about that. It’s just... new to me,” she admitted with a bashful expression. “And seeing her giving you glances and poking fun, it’s just...”
Midnight silenced her with a kiss on the forehead. “I understand that. I truly do.” Something akin to mischief glinted in his eyes. “Not every mare around can say that she has taken the heart of a Nightguardian. Especially one as handsome and humble as I am.”
Twilight shook her head with a resigned expression, then giggled, giving Midnight a peck on the cheek in return. “Alright, if that’s truly the case, how about you humbly let me renew the spell?”
“I will allow it,” Midnight told her in a haughty way instead.
She gave him a playful shove. “Wag.”
“At your service, Honored Princess...”
Twilight giggled, but wasted no time, casting the spell on both of them. Blinking a few times and again enjoying less shadows lurking in her vision, she proceeded to put on the dress.
“I hope you can be there for me tonight, Midnight...” she wished, making sure that the material was flowing down her sides properly. “This might be a... one-of-a-kind moment.”
The batpony had, devotedly, turned around to have her change with some traditional privacy. “Quite the number of those moments lately...” he remarked.
Twilight had to concur, carefully dealing with the earrings. “You can say that again.”
“Quite the number of—”
“Midnight!”
His body shook in a chuckle. “Sorry, Twilight. I just know that you can use some humor to help you out. I’m joyful that you liked my parents and the visit.”
“I did, it felt like home, really...” she replied. “You can turn around now.”
Midnight followed her words, smiling broadly as his gaze landed on her. “Yes. Silver, quartz and ametrine, ha...” he commented. “Mother truly has a gift for these things.”
Twilight took in her hoof the new necklace that Garnet Hoof made for her in record time yesterday morning. She could decide on the minerals, but ultimately allowed the older mare to just make what she felt fit.
Though, to her own credit, Twilight did try to initially protest, feeling that she was going to return from Noctraliya with more luggage than she arrived with, if the frequency of gifts would remain the same! However, Garnet Hoof’s gratitude could not take a “no” for an answer, and so Twilight was left with an astounding piece of jewelry. The setting, done in silver, resembled a six-pointed star, and the six gems in it were giving away yellow, pink and crystal white reflections, their forms almost weaved into the metal, wonderfully playing along her royal dress.
“If I did not know better, I would be suspicious that you passed some information to her behind my back before we came, this necklace is just too fitting!”
Midnight only let out a dry chuckle. “Nope, not a word to her. Mother’s just a natural. She will never say that, but she is one of the best, if not the best jeweler in the Family. Even Lord Consort Midnight Iris wears her craft. You cannot go higher than that.”
“Oh yes? What about me?” Twilight pointed out, trying to pout comically.
“Ah!” Midnight looked perturbed for a second. “Well, yes, I mean, you are—oh, you!” he caught onto her poke.
She trotted closer, her expression victorious. “Points for me.”
“As you say... Hormoned Princess,” he retorted with a wide grin.
Twilight was close to jabbing him, but had to instead surrender to a soft kiss they shared.
The palatial complex of the Mountain of Midnight was quite significant when it came to the space it occupied. Done in three levels, resting upon one another like stairs, it offered space for the entire Lord’s court, from the chambermaids to personal sentinels. From the outside, Twilight marked it as grandiose, from the inside – most opulent. Many passageways were braw, done in cobalt and silver, with the crest of the discus and the tome marking the rugs and banners, illuminated by elegant candlelight. In the middle of the residence, a courtyard played the role of a dark marble point of reference.
Twilight found it optimal. One could easily get lost around here. It reminded her of the Canterlot Royal Castle’s labyrinthine interior.
The dining hall fit the palace just well. Spacious, rich and ostentatious. As she entered, Twilight looked around the place, enjoying the columns and coats of arms, only later spotting that, by the set table in the center, four ponies were present, feasting from silver bowls. Only two of them did she recognize.
Twilight’s arrival was announced by one of the present, Lord’s sentinels. Though “announced” might not have been the best word, for his voice was but a little louder than normal speech, barely echoing around the vast chamber.
“Honored Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria.”
Twilight brought forth her kind smile, seeing that Lord Midnight Eye rose up to greet her.
His expression was... warm and joyous.
Was this the same stallion?
“Honored Princess, a pleasure to see you, please, come. Let us enjoy the food together...” he welcomed her in a soft tone. “We have a moment still before we should venture to the Library.” He took back his seat with prudence. “I have allowed myself to send lupule Rowan Berry to check whether the Archcurator prepared everything for our arrival.” His voice was calm and benevolent.
Midnight Iris, sitting right by her husband, likewise granted Twilight with a graceful expression of a kind hostess.
... was this the same dimension?!
Twilight nodded with poise, slowly approaching the table, her hooves muffled by the rich carpet.
One of the other ponies present, a young stallion of firm physique, turned his head, then rose up from his seat as well, to give Twilight a customary salute. His gaze was gold and piercing and his daffodil mane shifted alongside his neck.
The mare of cobalt mane to his side sat still, only one of her ears flicking a little, in a strange rhythm.
Twilight decided to take the initiative. “It shall be my pleasure and honor to dine with you and your guests, Honored Lord,” she turned to Midnight Eye first.
The Lord but looked at her, smiling still, saying not a word more in reply, just like his wife. The silence was strange. Maybe less so than their smiles, but still! Midnight Wind, to Twilight’s side, remained remarkably quiet too, giving but the customary salutes to all of the gathered, cautious of his moves.
Finally reaching one of the seats right next to the only mare that seemed disinterested with her, Twilight kept to her smile, wishing to be polite regardless of this abnormal atmosphere around her.
“G—”
The sitting mare’s right ear flicked again and her whole head turned almost in an instant, causing Twilight’s greeting to be lodged in her throat.
The eyes that stared at her were blind. She saw their aureolin color overtaken by milky cataracts, to the point where the irises were almost absent.
The mare herself, young and truly pretty, appeared as if she was gazing at Twilight precisely. Her smile was faint, but friendly, her attention focused forward. Her ears were wagging a little, Twilight could swear that it was every time she heard her own heartbeat that had begun ringing in hear head.
She suddenly realized that, when she was approaching, the mare’s hearing was reacting to the muffled hoofsteps of hers and Midnight’s.
“Greetings, Honored Princess,” the blind batpony began, her voice melodious and strong. “It is a pleasure to meet you. My name’s Bright Midnight, Count... or, in your language, Countess of Family Midnight.”
Twilight stayed stunned for a breath longer. She could expect meeting the heir of the Family during her visit... but nopony told her that Midnight Eye’s daughter was handicapped. And quite so much.
“It’s... it’s a pleasure for me as well, Countess Bright Midnight,” Twilight replied, trying to sound again confident. “Neskaza Lunee welae tueu noc illum,” she decided to greet the Countess properly, then realizing that perhaps wishing for the Goddess to lighten the mare’s night was... inappropriate, considering.
Bright Midnight stayed motionless for a moment, her ears reacting some more to the echo around the chamber, then smiled broadly and nodded a little.
“You have a clear voice, Princess. Pure.”
Twilight did not know how to react to this declaration. She remained wordless for a moment.
“There is kindness in your speech... Concern in your tone... Tact in your volume...” Bright Midnight judged, her expression warm, her blind eyes fixed right onto Twilight’s muzzle.
The stallion nearby, standing behind Bright Midnight like a guardian, took a step closer and started leaning towards the mare’s ear. She took note of it, even though Twilight did not hear even a rustle of the stallion’s robe.
“It’s fine, Midnight Valor, you don’t have to describe her...”
“Dilece...” he whispered, nodding and finally taking back his place.
Twilight was not sure whether to sit down, or remain standing, or what was the correct etiquette here.
Bright Midnight, in response, giggled with grace and tact. “I hope I have not scared you, Princess?”
“N-no!” Twilight protested. “I am just a bit surprised. I was... uninformed.”
The Countess' ear flicked and her head snapped to face her father. “Is that so?”
“I preferred for the Honored Princess not the presume anything, daughter...” Midnight Eye admitted, giving Twilight a little, apologetic nod. “First impressions, especially from indirect sources, tend to be misleading.”
As he pointed at the seat, Twilight finally allowed herself to have it.
Even though he was smiling, Midnight Eye seemed to have remained Midnight Eye still.
The Countess shifted her head back to Twilight again, following the sound of the chair, her unblinking eyes directed at her without error. “I do not think the Princess is one to presume too much outright. Her voice is more chaste than that.”
“I’m... glad you think so, Countess,” Twilight replied, making herself comfortable on the chair, trying to cause as little sound as possible. She presumed that it would be polite, not to overwhelm Bright Midnight’s hearing.
Especially if she was capable of... reading into her very voice...? That was most peculiar.
Midnight Iris smiled faintly, spotting Twilight’s careful moves. “Please, Princess, it is very nice of you, but do not fret. Our daughter does not mind the natural sounds of dining.” She turned to Midnight. “Sit down, Nightguardian, enjoy yourself as well.”
The stallion followed the suggestion, though himself respectfully attempting not to cause a ruckus. And yet Twilight took note that Bright Midnight’s ears reacted to pretty much every little ruffle.
Before reaching for an orange, Twilight leaned forward, to take a glance at the other stallion at the table, Midnight Valor. “Neskaza Lunee welae tuu noc illum...” she greeted him as well.
“I welae Neskaza Lunee... illum tueu noc tez, Knaze,” the stallion replied firmly, but in reasonable volume. “It’s a pleasure, Honored Princess. I am Midnight Valor, centur of the Mountain of Midnight’s armed forces.”
“And our future son by marriage...” Midnight Eye added, giving the captain a truly benign glance.
“Oh! Very nice to meet you... uhm... Count Consort?” Twilight guessed.
The stallion grinned. “Count Consort ‘To Be’, Honored Princess, please. I do not wish to forget my place,” he assured, looking at Bright Midnight with care and kindness. Then at the Lord and his wife with deep gratitude. “I am happy where I am now, regardless of titles.”
“Do not sell yourself short, Midnight Valor,” Midnight Eye protested, enjoying a grape. “Your ancestors served the Family with great loyalty, and your own sense of duty is second only to your mother’s. It is only fitting that this union strengthens the bonds between the veins of our noble bloodline.”
Twilight listened carefully to the exchange, trying to nibble on an orange without both sound and ridiculous splatters of juice. She guessed that there was a lot of politics involved in marriages of such caliber.
Bright Midnight giggled, her blind eyes locked on her father. “For once, I feel glad that I had no saying in the matter.” Her head turned towards Midnight Valor, who stifled a laugh. “I see bright future ahead of us. No, really, I mean it.” That only forced her betrothed to attempt and stop the chuckling more.
Twilight observed the Countess. She seemed absolutely fine, joking about her blindness.
As if being able to hear Twilight’s thoughts about her, Bright Midnight shifted her attention again. “May I ask you a question, Honored Princess? Are you considered more of a Lord or a Countess back in Ekwestriya?”
Twilight put down the orange, her brow knitting. “Well... It’s a little difficult to convert those titles to our system... uhm, I think I am more like a Countess? I mean, I am the youngest of the Princesses of Equestria and I would say that Princess... that the Goddess and her Sister are definitely Lords, in that sense.”
“Ah, yes, I see,” Bright Midnight replied, her tone slightly waggish, as if she enjoyed her own sight puns. She stayed silent for a moment, her smile kind. She was deliberating something. “Do you have a betrothed back home, then?”
“No, actually, no,” Twilight quickly replied. Maybe a bit too quickly. “I am not, well, expected to find one, really!”
Bright Midnight’s motionless attention, other than her ears flicking, was making Twilight feel a bit uneasy. Especially, since, at one point, the blind batpony seemed like she was... following the quickened beats of Twilight’s heart again.
The Countess finally nodded, her grin beaming. “I hope you find yourself somepony like my Midnight Valor, Princess...” She turned to her betrothed. “Somepony that will accept you just the way you are, and be willing to protect you and be by your side no matter what...”
The sentence caused disparate reactions all around the table.
The captain pretty much shone with pride and affection, staring at Bright Midnight with a loving expression. Midnight Iris looked touched by the words, beaming with mother’s happiness. Midnight simply paused sucking on an orange, politely not disturbing the moment.
Midnight Eye nodded, staring at his daughter, but his gaze hid something more, as Twilight took note. Conviction. And determination. One that, as she could have guessed... might have had something to do with Midnight’s recent struggles.
Spotting those glints, Twilight felt in need of swallowing rather loudly. She could use a distraction. Like, right that moment.
The doors of the dining hall opened. Thank the Goddess!
No, wait, actually...!
Without much decorum, Rowan Berry appeared in the passage, trotting inside in a hurry, her expression a mixture of great concern and worry, and her eyes fearfully focused on Lord Midnight Eye.
He was the first to react, his brow furrowing dangerously at the sudden intrusion. “Lupule? What is the matter?” he spoke in a tone that was less asking for and more demanding an explanation.
The healer stopped before the table, bowing her head. “Honored Lord, Lord Consort, Countess, Honored Princess—”
A silent hiss of warning came from Midnight Eye. “By the blood of your plebeyu House, don’t waste time and speak!”
Rowan Berry cowered. “It’s... Honored Lord, the wisokantase, she... she blocked the way into the Maednoca Tabulre! She says she cannot let anypony enter it!” The mare looked over the gathered, her eyes stopping on Twilight for a moment longer.
“She claims that a prophecy forbids it.”
***
It was yet another chilly evening in Hollow Shades, but Moonwarden did not care for the temperature, nor for the possible forecasts. Nor even his favorite, made-to-measure morning dress, elegantly covered by a long cloak.
Although he did make sure that he looked resplendent, of course!
However, one matter precisely was plaguing his mind and causing him quite a lot of distress. And it involved none other, than that one, soon-to-meet-him, captain Sunfall Ordain.
Or, more precisely, her inexplicable and preposterous resistance to Moonwarden’s art!
“Calm down,” he reminded himself. “Composure is the key. That and an opportune moment, if this inconvenience is to be bested...”
Himself huffed. “I do not need to be schooled.”
“No, but you need to be prompted, sometimes,” he insisted and himself groaned in reluctant agreement.
“Perhaps... This most perturbing matter must be remedied quickly, though... My patience is waning!”
They both took a deep, calming breath, fortunately sharing one pair of lungs, then let out a relaxing exhale.
Moonwarden decided to distract himself with the steam that came out from between his lips, as if wishing to scry something from the twisting vapor.
And he did, actually. It was getting bloody cold.
He covered himself more tightly with the cloak, glancing upwards, to the starlit, atramentous sky and the glorious Moon. His right forehoof moved over his grey vest, where the pocket portrait of—
“Moonwarden!” He heard a voice from his right, causing his head to snap quickly and his focus to sharpen in an instant. Thankfully, it was not a foe that addressed him. Quite the contrary, he wanted to believe.
Sunfall Ordain trotted towards him from the nearby alleyway, smiling kindly. She wore her previous set of armor, though Moonwarden could swear that it looked a little more polished and shined. The starlight was dancing on it faintly.
“Good evening to you, Sunfall Ordain,” he welcomed the mare with a courteous nod and a smirk, checking if his monocle was on properly. It could prove most useful soon, after all. “An honest pleasure to see you again. I am glad I did not wait here in vain, like a stood up beau.”
The mare chuckled, coming close to give him a little, friendly embrace. It still felt like being squeezed by a solid chuck. “I would not do that to you! You’re too nice!”
Moonwarden rolled his eyes, straightening his cloak and welcoming back air when she let him go. “You obviously don’t know me too well,” he remarked, half-seriously. “Once again, I am grateful that you are so keen on helping out with this cartographic situation, Sunfall Ordain. I hope my visit will not affect the duties of yours and your unit.”
“Not at all! They are as excited as I am, Moonwarden!” she responded, showing her fangs in a broad grin. “Besides, I could mark it as, uhm, ‘Furthering Positive Relations with the Local Populace and Authorities’, or something like that, and it would be just fine with the chain of command!”
Moonwarden nodded, quite positively surprised. “What agile thinking, Sunfall Ordain! I enjoy that.”
Her grin got even broader. How was that fathomable?
“Ready when you are!” she announced. “Our outpost is not far out of town, we can reach it in twenty minutes if we keep up the pace.”
“How about we make it twenty five, not to appear too feverish and be slightly but fashionably late?” he retorted with a smile, sweeping a hair from his shoulder. A little wider time window could prove very useful.
Sunfall Ordain but giggled behind a hoof. “Feverish? Who, me?”
Moonwarden shot her an unimpressed glance through the monocle.
Truth be told, he was hoping for some emotions from her. It was easier to access a mind distracted.
“Oi! Y-hic!-you there!”
Speaking of distractions...
A shamrock earth stallion, looking bulky, even more unpleasant, and even yet more drunk, stumbled onto the square from the nearby shady alley. His gaze was firmly fixed on the pair, and his brow was furrowed, low, showing incredible amounts of hidden intellect.
“You! Yeah, you! And you t... too! And-hic!-and you!”
Great. What was it with this town and inebriated fools?!
Moonwarden glanced at Sunfall Ordain, who suddenly looked more than displeased. And so he decided to take action.
“Greetings. What might you wish, mathematician?” he called, taking a small step towards the swaying newcomer.
The mare looked at Moonwarden as if he was the sot in this situation. “... do you know him? Is he a scholar of mathematics?” she whispered.
“No,” the grey unicorn responded, smirking, “but he is rather keen on percentage, I say...”
She snickered, her expression softening for a moment, though her gaze remained sharp.
The earth pony, in the meantime, was trying to make his way towards them, though his lack of navigation was blatant. To the point that even the stars above could not help him steer straight.
“You-hic!-yesh! Pretty one!”
“I hope he means you, Moonwarden...”
“Yeah, you, cute-tufts!”
“Nope,” the unicorn disagreed, based on the evidence. He took notice that Sunfall Ordain’s displeased look returned with even greater fervor. He remained where he was standing. “I advise you to remain polite and civil, friend. Be on your way.”
“I’m...! I’m talking to the-hic!-beauty, n... not you, old fart!”
... ‘old fart’?
Oh, this would not do at all. Moonwarden arched an eyebrow and his nostrils flared. “Have you considered that the lady does not wish to speak to a pony in your state?” he asked, preparing to... deal with the nuisance quickly.
“N-hic!-nah! She needs a... a real shtallion!” the slosh shouted, shambling even closer. The gentle breeze of the night got stained with the whiff of cheap liquor. Moonwarden thought he recognized the soak as one of the patrons of the Broken Stock watering hole. “N-not a wuss from-hic!-s... shomeplace else! G... go back to Danterlod!”
The grey unicorn had more than enough. Not that he cared for declarations from a drunken halfwit of questionable hygiene, lack of sophistication and a mundane laborer at that!
But Moonwarden had his dignity as a Trottingham noblepony. And he was not going to let such a louse pester a mare in his presence.
He took a deep breath, turning to Sunfall Ordain, checking his monocle. “Nothing more than an insignificant distraction. Allow me, I shall—”
“No.”
Moonwarden stopped in mid sentence. He was... not used to being interrupted. However, the mare’s hard, vexed expression made him conceal his displeasure deep.
Sunfall Ordain took a firm step forward. “I need no stallion to take care of myself.”
Without another word, she started closing the distance between herself and the drunk.
He looked rather pleased with that at first. “That’s... that’s right, leave the-hic!-loser, come home with a real shtud!”
“Sir, you are drunk,” Sunfall Ordain announced, her tone not that of an excitable, joyous filly, but of an officer of the Nightguard. “Return to your home.”
“With y-you? Gladly!” the wobbly stallion replied with a vulgar, nasty smile.
“No, sir. You will return to your home alone and sleep on your drunken state. I warn you that further conversation, especially in that tone and manner, will be considered harassment.”
Moonwarden observed the mare with much interest. Her playful demeanor did hide a truly fierce, soldier’s character. How refreshing! He wondered how would she deal with this situation, if she felt so independent and self-reliant.
The drunk had truly little idea who was he dealing with. “S... shleep on? I will-hic!-gladly shleep on you, cute-tufts.”
Sunfall Ordain stood her ground valiantly, though the stench must have been horrendous at the close vicinity, Moonwarden thought.
“This is your last warning, sir. You are to step back from the member of the Nightguard,” she told him in a tone that made even the grey unicorn slightly concerned.
Only slightly though.
Until the earth stallion foolishly decided to seal his fate. “Come-hic!-on...” he spoke in a tone that was meant to be seductive, but sounded plainly repellent. His hoof began reaching towards the mare’s neck. “... how ab-about you c... come with me and I-hic!-make you squeal like a bat—”
As soon as bodily contact was made, Sunfall Ordain hissed loudly and fiercely. With lightning speed, she pushed aside the hoof, grasped the drunk’s head and forced it quickly down. A rapid pounce and grab later, she had her front hooves joined below his barrel.
Her webbed wings flapped once and the drunk found himself a good few feet in the air, held aloft in a steel grip, all of his four limbs flailing about. But he did not even have a chance to really protest.
With a loud, warrior’s whoop, Sunfall Ordain brought the earth pony’s weight down, slamming him into the ground, crest first.
Moonwarden could swear that he bounced up from the sheer impact, even at this distance.
The mare landed, looking over the splayed and soundly knocked-out stallion, checking the straps on her hoofshoes casually.
“Owecifutan, kirwe...” she hissed, her expression purely annoyed.
Contrary to Moonwarden’s. For when Sunfall Ordain turned around, she was subjected to a sight of disbelief, surprise and amazement, attempting to be hidden underneath the more usual, calm demeanor. With little success, especially considering the escaped monocle, dangling meagerly from its chain.
“... uhm... hello?” the mare spoke, waving her hoof a little while coming closer.
“No, no, I am still here, yes,” Moonwarden replied, reaching down to restore his eyepiece. “I see you prefer more... direct solutions, Sunfall Ordain.”
The mare glanced behind, at the still body of the slammed drunk. “Well... Sometimes only those get across,” she told him, staring a bit sheepishly his way.
“Indeed... Well, you will hardly hear any critique from me. Well, maybe that you have littered.”
Sunfall Ordain blinked, then her lips twitched, trying to stop a smile unsuccessfully. “Oh... cause I threw garbage on the ground?”
“Precisely!”
They shared a small chuckle, after which the batpony beckoned Moonwarden to follow alongside her. “Still, I am sorry you had to see this,” she spoke up after they left the square.
The stallion cocked an eyebrow. “Why? A tad uncouth tactic, but I was astonished by the precision of your moves. Rather spectacular close quarters combat. Have I witnessed the famed Nightguard training?”
“Well... kind of,” she admitted, keeping a steady pace, her eyes reflecting the light of street lanterns. “I mean, we are taught not... only to subdue, like I did.”
“I see...” Moonwarden grasped the idea immediately. He expected no less. “I mean, that sorry excuse for a stallion seems like he is just wasting air, but I would support some restraint nonetheless.”
The mare looked at him, curious. She was musing on something for a while, finally speaking as they turned a corner, towards a tract that was leading out of town.
“Honestly, Moonwarden, I know you are a faithful, but... knowing soleerani, I would expect you to be more upset that I decided to teach him a lesson just like... that.”
Moonwarden allowed himself a little smirk. “As I have said – you obviously don’t know me too well... There are times when one has to act in a way that is,” he searched for a proper word, “ ‘unorthodox’ to most. But the sheer fact that you contest a... popular convention of one or another kind does not mean that you are, by default, wrong and misguided.”
Sunfall Ordain suddenly... smiled. It was a strange smile indeed. One of satisfaction and gratitude, as Moonwarden took a quick note of.
He definitely hit a mark with her. No telling what kind of yet, but a good one. A useful one.
“You know, now I want to ask how would you deal with that drunk...” she spoke, giving him a truly intrigued glance.
“That would be telling,” he replied, returning the stare and even winking.
She chuckled melodiously. “Well, I do not see you throwing him into the dirt.”
“I leave that to the professionals in the matter.”
The two continued their little banter as they ventured through the town, finally reaching the outskirts and entering the woods. The pathway to the Nightguard outpost was nothing more than a dirt trail, but Moonwarden did not mind. He visited worse places in his youth than a semi-primordial thicket. Actually, in the wonderful aura of the night, the woods looked rather eerie, which worked nicely with the stallion’s company indeed.
“So, Moonwarden, your name has the name of your House in it...” the mare spoke up at one point.
“Yes, indeed, why do you ask?”
“So, was your father a ‘Warden’ too?”
Moonwarden took a deep breath. The topic was... hazardous, but it was better to indulge the captain, rather than to head into elaborating on the reluctance to discuss anything even remotely close to it.
“He ‘is’ a Warden, to be precise, for he is very much alive still. Austere Aurelius Warden is not only that, he is the head of our family...”
“Ah, I see, so, he is a Lord of yours!”
No Lord of mine.
“Not in the same way as your rulers, but technically, yes,” Moonwarden admitted rather casually. “He happens to lead the First Bank of Trottingham, one of the most wealthy and influential financial establishments on that side of Equestria.”
“Then you are a part of a powerful House!” Sunfall Ordain cheered for him. “Ha! Is your mother a Warden too?”
“No, she is of House Firmament. Cassiopeia,” he responded loyally, though he felt the bile rising into his throat already at mentioning even the names of his parents. “Though, I feel that it is necessary to admit that, as I have mentioned before, the lack of understanding of my aspirations led to my relations with my mother and father growing rather... frigid.”
The mare nodded in deep thought. “That happens sometimes.”
Moonwarden cocked an eyebrow. “The ‘Family matter’ you mentioned, Sunfall Ordain.”
“Yes... that,” she admitted.
Her voice carried reluctance and sadness.
“You are from the noble line of your Family, you said...” Moonwarden tried to probe the topic gently. “I say, they must be rather happy to have such a diligent mare being a captain of the famed Nightguard!”
“You’d be surprised...” she mumbled back, not a hint of cheer in her colorful voice.
“I... do not think I really would be.”
The mare stared at him after that response, meeting his own gaze, as Moonwarden decided to use the opportunity. Perhaps there was a deeper understanding between the two. Something that he could use at a later date.
Seeing Sunfall Ordain’s eyes reflecting the wondrous moonlight, and yet somewhat blank and melancholic, did reassure him that he was on the right, potentially bountiful track.
And reminded him of what he needed to try still this evening, for the sake of his art, his mission... and the good of his sanity.
They did not speak for a minute after that last exchange, but continuing down the forest path. And soon the foliage started to obscure the sky and moonlight.
Moonwarden took a deep, thoughtful breath. It was a good enough opportunity to attempt some chicanery.
“I presume that your kind is light sensitive, Sunfall Ordain. Would you mind if I aid myself with a little magical illumination? I would prefer to know where am I going...”
The batpony stopped abruptly, her full attention on him in a mere instant. “That... actually that is something that I wanted to ask you about, Moonwarden.”
“Yes? Ask away.”
What was she on about?
“You are a unicorn and a devoted servant of the Goddess...” she began, her tone a bit uncertain, as if she was trying not to insult him in any way.
“Correct and correct,” he claimed, intrigued. Also pleased that she attempted to be most polite.
“... so... uhm, how come do you still use your... magic?”
Moonwarden blinked. Seriously, what was she on about?
The way she formed the question would hint that the arcane arts of the unicorns were considered... unwanted? Forbidden to those following the Immaculate Moon?
“I... feel like I am missing the context, perhaps you could elaborate?”
The mare bit her lip and hissed a little. “Well, we believe that the magic given to the unicorns is, well... something that was received from the Goddess, but never... properly compensated to Neskaza Lunee...?”
... oh.
“Oh, yes, of course! Silly me,” Moonwarden faked sudden clarity. If she claimed magic standing against religious dogmas, or vice versa, depending, he had to find a quick way around that. And, perhaps, he had one already. “Forgive me, I forgot about the matter... You see, Sunfall Ordain, when I have pledged myself to the Goddess’ service, I dedicated myself entirely to Her...” he started to explain, seeing the engrossment slowly appearing in the mare's eyes.
“I offered my magic to Her. All of my abilities. Her one word, and I would have abandoned a part of myself...” he admitted truthfully. To a degree. “But, my skills and abilities were of great benefit to the Immaculate Moon... And so I retained them, as was Her will. So I could serve Her and fulfill Her great plan!” he avowed, allowing a bit of reckless zeal to fill his words. “Though, still, as a sign of my personal devotion, I ask Her every time She deploys me whether I am allowed to use any of my magic. And I am ready to surrender it at Her beck and call.”
He was wondering if he did not go a bit too far, but Sunfall Ordain’s wide, warm smile did prove that he gave a remarkable and convincing performance.
“That is... incredible. Who knew a soleeran would be ready to give away a part of who he is for the sake of the Goddess...” she said in a breathy, impressed tone.
His ego felt properly pampered by her. He gifted her a kind expression back. “Thank you, Sunfall Ordain. But I am simply trying to be a humble servant...”
Good one.
She bowed her head, then stared up, towards the Moon, hidden behind leaves and branches. “By the Goddess, if that is so, your magic is most welcome, for it has been deemed due by the Immaculate Moon... I shall not mind it at all!”
Moonwarden chuckled inwardly. He focused briefly, producing a small, argent light from the very tip of his horn. The illumination focused forward, allowing him to actually spot the path they were taking. He checked his monocle, pretending that he was concentrating on the road. Hoping that Sunfall Ordain’s excitement and joy will only grow at the display.
The mare did let out a small gasp. “Your magic does shine like your eyes!”
“Ah, indeed. A unicorn’s aura matches his irides more often than not. Though, do not ask how, I am not an expert in that field,” Moonwarden confessed. “Myself? I am simply grateful that the hue of my power reminds me of the Goddess...”
“Ha, indeed,” Sunfall Ordain agreed, grinning broadly. “For me, it most certainly shines like the Light of the Immaculate Moon... A sure sign of our Goddess’ blessing upon you! Ha!”
Well, this hoodoo chit-chat was surely enough to distract her...
“Actually,” Moonwarden said, lowering his eyelids for a moment, “speaking of auras and eyes, I have another way of seeing at night.”
He exhaled. He had decided that if a little mental probing was not enough, perhaps a more direct action was going to prove successful.
When he looked at Sunfall Ordain again, his eyes shone with a delicate lustre of silver. Something moderate to start with, yet greatly more forceful than what he attempted yesterday. He focused his gaze on the mare’s own eyes, the stare unblinking and determined.
It was no mental spying, but a pure induction technique, made even more entrancing thanks to his trusty monocle. Usually risky against a prepared target, even if backed by Moonwarden's vast expertise... But a batpony without any true grasp of the arcane was oblivious enough to try and mask the hypnotic glare as a form of a darkvision charm.
“How do you fancy it? Does it look nice?” Moonwarden asked, hoping to goad the mare into staring a bit deeper, a bit longer.
Sunfall Ordain blinked, her head tilting a bit. “It’s... strange.”
“Yes? In what way?” he asked. Her mind was there, he could feel it well enough. Young and inviting. All he needed was a connection. Just a hint of it. A tether. The rest would be easy enough.
The mare, for the moment, squinted her eyes, beginning to look rather enthralled. “Well... in a... bright way. I have... never seen anything like it... It’s... it’s...”
Moonwarden let a bit more force trickle into his eyes. Just a smudge more. “Do you like it?”
He took note of her confusion. Heightened curiosity. Difficulty in formulating coherent sentences.
It was just a matter of time now. The connection with her mind would be established any second now and he would finally be able to do some initial groundwork.
A faint smile crept onto her lips. “It’s...”
Any second now. “Yes...?”
“It’s...”
Any second now... Just a bit further...
“It’s so cool!”
At her abruptly spirited declaration and excited smile, Moonwarden’s jaw hung slightly.
“I... beg your pardon?”
“It looks amazing! Ha! Wow! It’s like you have the Goddess’ Light shining right from your eyes!” she declared, still looking straight into his mesmerizing gaze. And caring nothing about it!
Nothing! Zip! Nil! Nowt!
There was no connection! It had no effect! Her confusion was just confusion, not the gaze taking any holds!
“Glad... glad you find it... entertaining,” Moonwarden managed to somehow mutter, one of his eyes developing a nervous tick.
“It's amazing!” the mare shouted, merry like never. “Your magic not only serves the Goddess, it looks so pretty too! So silver! It's blowing my mind!”
Moonwarden wailed on the inside.
Oh, the irony...
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And as usual, he delivers. Nice job!
Poor moonwarden, he can't get a break with these bat ponies.
Nice! Moonwarden has got to be stewing in frustration at this point.
Well well. I am curious about the Blind Countess. I have a feeling she could be an ally.. Or a very dangerous enemy seeing as she can read ponies by the sound of their voice. And now we have a Prophecy being thrown into the mix, The dance and intrigue is growing and I love it. As for Moonwarden, Hes an interesting one, But I have a feeling he has met his match with Sunfall. I suppose "Confound this Night guard, Shes gonna drive me to drink!" is fitting mindset for him
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Thank you, it is my pleasure.
7990428
Not in the slightest, it seems, no.
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Boy, let me tell you...
7990830
Intrigue for everyone! And frustrations to some.
It is good that we finally have an explanation for the batponies' distrust of magic. If Twilight heard of this explanation she would immediately start a lecture in an attempt to correct this misunderstanding. I wonder what is up with the prophecy and why they can't enter the library with the important document.
7991793
Stay around for the explanation, friend. As always, next chapter will grant both answers and questions.
7992841
Greetings! Your suggestions and keen eyes are appreciated! Please, if you were to spot further errors, I will welcome them in PMs...
7993672
... well now!
I am sorry, but I didn't quite understand what Sunfall Ordain is trying to say. Could someone explain it to me?
7995323
Oh, I will gladly explain that. In Chapter XV, the sermon given by Lord Blessed Fang mentioned that the abilities of the three pony tribes are considered by the batponies to be Gifts from the Goddess which the ponies took, but never shown any gratitude for. Instead, they turned their backs on the Goddess. And especially unicorns, as they threefold promised their loyalty to Her. And yet:
Because of that, abilities of the soleerani are considered wrongly claimed and utilized, especially unicorn magic. This is what Sunfall Ordain was referencing here.
This chapter is too much of a cliffhanger.
7996126
The next one should set a few things up, if that's the case.
Hello. I have a small edit suggestion:
When he looked at Sunfall Ordain again, his eyes shun with a delicate lustre of silver.
When he looked at Sunfall Ordain again, his eyes shone with a delicate lustre of silver.
Thank you for writing this story, I'm looking forward to the next chapter. 8)
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I'm glad you're enjoying yourself! Thank you for all the suggestions.
8001619
You're welcome. ^___^
*sudden Luna sock puppet appears*
OI MOONWARDEN, this is the Goddess speaking. By the power vested in me by myself, I ship you so hard with that Sunfall Ordain cute-tufts. Obey, or face oblivion!
*the curtain falls*
On a more serious note, it's refreshing to see Moonwarden not coming out on top for once (took you five years... or should I say, twelve plus). While I'm all for him winning in the end, it finally seems he will have to work, and work hard, to captivate - in all of that word's meanings - the joyful centure instead of pulling a Cyrus.
8003200
... there are so many things I should be upset about in this comment, but I know you a little too well! Thanks, man.
Every chapter is amazing. Not a moment wasted and always filling me with tension or a fluffy feeling.
Some of the best romance and intrigue right here.
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Oh, thank you so much, I appreciate it.