Chapter VII – A Piece of Advice
Luna went through the throng of usual documents once more, checking and double-checking, making sure that all the seals and signs were placed correctly on them. The various court administrators had to be completely assured of the authenticity of their orders to carry out the rulings of the Royal Office.
As much as mundane that task would appear to anypony not used to the ways of the court, Luna came to enjoy this side of ruling the nation a long time ago. It was repetitive and dull to some extent, yes, but at the same time strangely calming. Especially in between visiting ponies’ dreams and trying to defeat the most hidden insecurities of the needing, slumbering subjects.
And yet tonight’s work was proceeding remarkably sloppily. Luna spotted that she had smeared the stamps a couple of times, not paying enough attention. Not to mention allowing a particularly nasty and vivid inkblot to utterly ruin one of the parchments.
Such unprofessionalism on her part!
She rubbed her eyes, trying to refocus them and complete her task, but the continuous, nagging sensation in her brain forbade her from recommencing. She felt in a desperate need for a break.
As she stood up from the desk, her eyes glanced towards the chessboard in the corner, on which a particular, crystal queen was surrounded on all sides by dark rivals, threatened and alienated in their company. Luna sighed. Her mind had been giving her a hard time since Twilight Sparkle’s departure.
Trotting slowly and stoically, or at least attempting to, the Princess approached the corner of the chamber, right near the bookshelves full of legal treaties, and tapped the stone with her horn. A passage materialized in an outline of cyan smoke, revealing a spiral staircase heading down into the dark bellows of the castle.
Descending, Luna could hear an echo of a distant conversation.
“Could that be of any use to us?”
“Think about it. An invasive application of—”
“No, no, I shall not revert to that just yet, we need caution and pacing.”
“Preposterous!”
It seemed her servant was pretty busy tonight as well.
Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, Luna entered a round, vast chamber, burrowed deep within the walls of the Royal Castle, hidden from anypony but her and those she would deem worthy of assisting her. In the middle, a massive, bulky table was littered with scrolls and manuscripts of various origins, from official notes to torn scraps of paper. And the walls of the room were ornamented with maps and lists and pictures, magically pinned to the marble surface.
Luna always thought that this place appeared like a lair of a ravenous spider, as all of the parchments on the walls were connected according to the traces of information they possessed with strings weaved of silver, arcane energy. A spreading, complicated web of clues, tips, reports and data, in which many a ponies were wrapped in, much unaware of this situation. And in the middle of the shimmering web stood Luna’s loyal spider himself, gracefully brandishing a slate gray tailcoat accompanied with a white shirt and a silver ascot.
“I have no interest in any frivolities of yours tonight,” Moonwarden muttered into space in a gruff, irritated tone as the Princess trotted forward. She only smiled at those words, however, expecting to hear a reply happening quite soon.
“You call them ‘frivolities’, I honestly prefer the term ‘pleasures’,” the stallion addressed himself back, switching his attention from one unfolded scroll before him to another. His monocle was levitating around, shifting from sentence to sentence, acting like a tool of a skilled appraiser.
“We have no time for pleasures either,” the advisor once more replied to himself, utterly possessed by his work.
“You can be such a bore sometimes. I have no idea how she is coping with you, Moonwarden.”
The Princess calmly passed the unicorn, trying not to giggle, and took a seat at a little table set in the corner. She had already gotten used to the fact that her servant enjoyed having conversations with himself and, to be fair, she did eavesdrop on him from time to time, for the sake of her own amusement. This time, however, she was not seeking elation. She coughed theatrically, hoping to grasp his attention.
Moonwarden stopped in his tracks, blinking a few times and putting his monocle down on the table. He glanced right and left before realizing that he had company other than himself.
“Ah, Your Majesty, forgive me!” he exclaimed, bowing deeply before Luna. “I was utterly preoccupied, I did not spot your arrival.”
The Princess graced him with a warm smile. “Fret not, Moonwarden, I was not waiting too long.”
The stallion looked abashed for a split second before realizing that those words were merely to tease him.
“Amusing,” he muttered joyously, although his eyes remained calm. “How might I be of service, my lady?”
Luna gestured towards the other chair and Moonwarden took his place, keeping his eyes locked on the Princess. As he sat down a sudden grimace twisted his calm smile and he inhaled through his clenched teeth, moving away from the seat’s back.
“Your scars bothering you again, my servant?” the alicorn inquired with a touch of worry in her tone.
“Nothing to be concerned about, my lady,” Moonwarden assured, stretching his spine before leaning back onto the chair slowly. “In some instances I simply forget they are there,” he admitted, his smirk becoming a bit distant as his gaze focused on the Princess again. “Now, what would your wishes be, my lady?”
“I was wondering,” the alicorn began, resting her forelegs on the table, “whether I could borrow a moment of your time.”
“Why, Your Majesty, I have sworn my loyalty to you – the entirety of my time is at your disposal,” the stallion replied somehow passionately, then rolled his eyes. “Oh, where are my manners tonight, would you like some tea, my lady? Or maybe something a little more suave? I have a bottle of the finest grape liquor from the Unicorn Range stashed here...”
“Secretly drinking on the job, Moonwarden?” Luna inquired playfully, nodding in agreement at his offer.
“I would not dare, my lady. Drunken antics, as I have been taught, are not even remotely helpful in administrative skulduggery,” her servant replied, levitating a bottle from the nearest cupboard alongside a pair of elegant stemware. “Although I cannot vouch for some of our other courtiers. I swear, one has to be inebriated to occasionally slip into such incompetence.”
The stallion uncorked the bottle, filled both glasses and offered one of them to Luna, who tasted the beverage with curiosity.
“A sweet, rich bouquet. Not too potent though. I sense a delicate hint of... blackberries. A very enjoyable drink,” she stated, to Moonwarden’s visible satisfaction.
“I am glad you find it praiseworthy, Your Majesty. Now...” he paused for a moment, leaning back, gently this time, with his glass suspended in the silver aura of his magic, “... I presume you might wish to abandon this mask of good humour, my lady. It is not too convincing.”
Luna’s gentle smile became petrified and she glared at Moonwarden for a moment before letting out a profound sigh.
“Have you probed my mind already?”
The unicorn’s face betrayed shock. “My lady! My oath of servitude and obedience means never using my natural talent and abilities on you. Why would you suspect me?”
Luna leaned forward. “Because distrust shields us better than an armor of steel.”
“Well said,” Moonwarden responded with something of a proud smirk forming on his lips. “My oath still stands, though. And I would not need to inquest your mind to feel the worry oozing from you, my lady,” his voice grew serious, as well as his expression. “It is about Princess Twilight, is it not?”
Luna stayed silent for a moment, sipping her beverage. “Any news?”
“Indeed, my lady. I have received a notification from one of my informants.” He quickly levitated a scroll from the round table, unraveled the parchment and found the correct phrase. “Ah, here it is: ‘Princess Twilight reached the Nightguard outpost safely. No worrying signs.’ Which means,” he added, placing the paper down on the table and tapping it with his hoof, “that today another note shall be brought to me, confirming her departure towards the mountains, if my calculations are correct. And they are, I feel inclined to assure.”
“Could you still place an informant closer to the Ambyit so that we have some more coverage of Twilight’s journey?” Luna asked, eyeing the scroll and disregarding Moonwarden’s blatant overconfidence.
“I took the liberty of doing so already, my lady. He is a geologist, he has since always wished to visit the Tramplevanian Alps. He shall be staying in a valley within the spyglass reach from—”
Moonwarden stopped as the paper escaped from under his hoof in the aura of Luna’s magic. He automatically reached for the runaway document, yet it slipped his grasp, resulting in him being frozen in a pretty compromising position as the Princess read the entirety of the report, not just the sentences he had mentioned.
She granted him a stare of reprimand after a moment of silence. “Well, looks like somepony was busy. ‘Mayor seen drunk again. Local timber production surpassing quotas thanks to province charting. Royal Guard garrison without changes, prone to infiltration. Awaiting further instructions’,” she quoted from the parchment, causing Moonwarden to press his lips together in mounting worry. “What is the meaning of this, servant? I did not order such observations to be undertaken.”
The advisor’s muzzle twitched before he brought up an imitation of a calm, polite smile on his face, trying to hide his rising anxiety.
“Why, Your Majesty, I am merely attempting to benefit you. If I am to provide you with all the important information from the domain, my lady, I have to sometimes act on my own accord, so that I can fulfill my role. I—”
“You,” Luna interrupted him, grinning, “allow me to frighten you out of your wits far too easily.”
Moonwarden closed his agape mouth in an instant, before letting a defeated smile bloom on his muzzle.
“Touché, my lady. You, however, know that you invoke my fearful respect for many reasons,” he attempted to explain and discredit his recent blunder of composure.
“Indeed,” Luna replied with a hint of mockery. “Nevertheless, my servant, your pride does need some trimming from time to time,” she added, to which the stallion shook his head, chuckling.
“Oh, how marvelous, I have been promoted to the esteemed rank of ‘Royal Hedge’. My father would be so proud of me,” Moonwarden remarked sarcastically while rolling his eyes, much to Luna’s amusement. “To your boundless tomfoolery, Your Majesty!” he raised an ironic toast, albeit one in which the two of them eagerly participated.
However, the stallion did not continue in utilizing his biting tongue. “Jesting aside, I sincerely doubt I have already managed to resolve the entirety of your worries about Twilight Sparkle, my lady. Please, make them known to me, so I can aid you,” he offered with a tone of keenness.
Luna put down her glass. She took a deep breath in before proceeding, her voice calm, almost saddened.
“I am concerned whether my recent actions were accordingly justified. Keeping Twilight away from information, sending her to Noctraliya without preparing her any better, which, as you had rightfully evaluated, is dangerous. The ways of my children are disparate from Equestrian ideals, those which Twilight is a great advocate of...”
“A candour statement, my lady.”
“Thank you,” Luna continued in the same tone. “And as much as I trust in her strength, I feel conflicted. Hence why I wish for you to advise me on the matter.”
“How come, my lady?” Moonwarden inquired, his gaze focused on the Princess’ cyan eyes. “You seemed to have been convinced about the idea. You yourself stated that no cost is too great when—”
“I know what I said,” Luna interrupted him abruptly. “But I have been thinking this through again and again, unable to make my mind. And I wish to be advised,” her voice grew imperious and royally demanding. “Advise me then, Moonwarden. Have I done good, allowing her to go? Was my decision valid?”
The stallion put down his glass and conjoined his hooves before his muzzle. He squinted his eyes for a moment in deep consideration.
“I cannot grant you an answer like that, my lady,” he replied strongly after a while.
Luna leaned back, picking up her glass and deciding to take another sip after all.
“You ‘cannot’, or ‘do not want’ to answer?” she pressed him. “You know I value your insight, Moonwarden, even if it goes against me.”
“I am aware, my lady. I simply cannot answer whether you did ‘good’. I would have to answer both ‘yes’ and ‘no’, not to mention coping with the faulty definition of ‘good’,” his voice progressively grew reserved.
“I am positive I know what you mean, but do explain yourself, my servant,” Luna encouraged him, making herself more comfortable on the seat.
“Of course, my lady. But do stop me if I shall begin ranting.”
“I might, I might not,” she replied and Moonwarden’s muzzle twitched with a smirk.
“Very well, Your Majesty. You see, it verily depends on one thing – perspective. ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’, as the saying goes. Well, I would not limit such a state of things to only beauty,” he paused for a brief moment to gather his thoughts. “From Twilight Sparkle’s point of view – you have sent her to a distant land without full knowledge of the recent political situation, deliberately hiding important information. Not to mention you are, indubitably, the greatest ‘specialist’ and indisputable authority on batponies in the entire domain, Your Majesty, and yet you have told Twilight an utter naught about them. So, even if she has no idea about it, your actions could be evaluated as… ‘bad’,” he paused, annoyed. “I despise this word, it is so... simplistic, so limiting.”
He stretched his back before continuing. “Now, from your standpoint, my lady, which I feel inclined to share, you did... ‘good’. Your plan is to bring batponies closer to Equestria, open new possibilities of interaction between the races, perhaps even ‘placate’ the noctrali somehow and acquire, also for yourself, an unbiased opinion on them as a nation. So you quite cleverly sent in our dear filly scout—” Moonwarden covered his mouth, mocking an expression of shame, “pardon, ‘esteemed Princess of Friendship’, to do your bidding.”
Luna’s stare became chastising and frigid, but the stallion did not seem to care.
“More so, my lady, your words about ‘no cost being too great’ would be naturally frowned upon by a common, Equestrian citizen. A foreseeable reaction, most ponies are so involved in the ideas of Friendship and morality and… ‘Good’, that they lock themselves away from a whole spectrum of life’s other, quite satisfying alternatives. At the same time I would deem yours a reasonable logic in nearly all cases, which coequally means that your course of action was… ‘good’.”
He took a deep breath, then stayed still for a moment before continuing in a tone of disgust. “Although plague upon me if I shall ever use the plainness of dualism, the horrid division of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ to judge any course of action, when this dreadful system is thrust upon us by simple, limited minds,” he spat out the words and shuddered in aversion. “To sum up, my lady, your choice could be evaluated as both ‘good’ and ‘bad’, but such a classification is faulty,” Moonwarden finished, letting his words sink in the silence that fell upon the chamber, as he awaited his lady’s reply.
The Princess was staring right into her advisor’s eyes, her gaze becoming as regal as one could expect from a sovereign and a powerful alicorn. The stallion was trying his best to withstand such a focused, frigid leer, yet he did feel like shrinking in his seat.
“Your evaluation is sound, Moonwarden,” Luna finally spoke, her voice tremendously calm. “However, you would claim to support my action and yet I recall you shuddering at my words...”
“Oh? Ah, yes, I did shiver, my lady,” the stallion admitted. “But not at your determination, Your Majesty, but rather at the sorrow I had spotted in your eyes. I despise seeing you doubting yourself, my lady,” the unicorn responded, reaching for his wineglass and taking a calming gulp from it. “Your calculative approach is one of the reasons why I had decided to come into your service. Too many ponies are trapped in worthless, bucolic conventions nowadays. I am glad somepony still remembers about the rule of ruthless calculus.”
“So you find me ruthless then, Moonwarden?” Luna inquired, arching her eyebrow.
“When such is the necessity. But you can also be kind. And incomparably benevolent. And inspiringly daunting,” he enumerated with a sly grin. “You are all of the above and more, Your Majesty.”
“I have been around long enough to discern flattery, my servant. It can only get you so far,” Luna reprimanded him, not appearing at all flustered by his praise.
“Considering my position, I think it has gotten me as far as I did wish it to take me, Your Majesty,” the advisor’s satisfied response was. “Yet I do mean my words. Equestria is lucky to have a monarch of your unique insight.”
The Princess did not respond at first, a sad smile merely making its way upon her muzzle. She looked towards the nearest wall, following a particular set of arcane strings making its way through the whole room, promising to lead one into a venture of knowledge, information and intrigue.
“There are ponies that would deem some of my decisions and actions as even villainous, Moonwarden,” she finally disclosed, her eyes meaningfully tracking one of the smaller, magical fibers.
“Following a certain convention, most definitely. While others would praise you and adore you, Your Majesty, for the same workings,” Moonwarden pointed out, his eyes never moving away from Luna’s face. “It is quite inevitable, you see... Have you ever touched the subject of criminology, my lady?” he asked without real context.
“It is not something that had existed before my absence. And I have not found an opportunity so far, no,” the alicorn answered, once more focusing her attention at the advisor. “Why do you ask?”
“I have found an intriguing dilemma presented by one of the schools of said study – why are some deeds considered ‘crimes’ and why would some ponies be branded as ‘criminals’? Their provided answer was simple, something I have also considered in my psychological research,” he emphasized, taking this moment to refill both the wineglasses. “What forces this divide between misdemeanors and other actions is simply a popularly accepted convention, an artificial, subjective idea. Par example, we find the act of stealing unwanted. We name it an offence then. You are stealing, ergo you are a thief, ergo we can punish you.”
“Based on a common agreement. But one could create a system in which stealing is not penalized or maybe considered an act of cunning and, as such, rewarded,” Luna continued the train of thought.
“Precisely. Diamond Dogs’ culture shows traces of such habit, them being the mucky scavengers they are,” Moonwarden stated and grimaced. “But why should this theory be limited to law only? What about morality? Is it not a convention as well? It is hardly a universal system, after all.”
Luna nodded, as she did not find any debilities in his theory so far. “Indeed. I remember a time when the griffons believed that kidnapping the wives of their enemies and... forcing them to bear children... was an act of strength and, therefore, praised. While for us such practice was, and is, abhorrent,” she stated and Moonwarden’s disgusted expression did account for her words. He, however, quickly regained his composure.
“Morality,” he began, his voice bitter, “is a set of rules and regulations that society is trying to imprint us with. Telling us what is wanted and not, what is desirable and what frowned upon. So that we sit straight while eating, be respectful to elders, pay our taxes and never try to escape the walls built, even against our very nature, right in our minds.”
The Princess observed the stallion’s gaze as he was speaking. There was a fervent force raging behind those calm, mercurial eyes. A dark determination that she could relate to all too well.
“And, Your Majesty, this is exactly why you should not fear being scrutinized for your actions, as long as you yourself are comfortable with them,” he asserted, smiling warmly, even if his eyes were more frigid than the great glaciers. “After all, breaking the rules of society is, in truth, without retribution. Neither do those rules change reality in any way. And I shall demonstrate, my lady.”
Before Luna could say anything, Moonwarden reached for one of the pristine silver spoons placed with the tea set on the table.
“Wonderful, is it not?” he asked, then hid the utensil in one of his tailcoat pockets.
“What are you doing?” the Princess asked, slightly perplexed.
“I have just stolen a spoon,” the unicorn testified in a tone of friendly banter.
“Why would you do that, Moonwarden?”
“Because I wanted to,” he answered politely.
“And that proves... what exactly?” Luna could not see the reason behind this claimed larceny of his.
“Equestria’s society declares stealing is bad, therefore one cannot do it. But I have just done it,” he took the spoon out of the pocket, twirling it playfully before his muzzle. “The rule did not limit me. There was no ‘stop’ sign in my mind. Nor a magical barrier around the spoon. Nor do I feel particularly scourged by whatever balderdash hoodoo that we would believe is keeping everypony from stealing. And I doubt I shall ever at all be punished...”
“Unless I were to decide to discipline you right this instant,” Luna raised her glass and declared victoriously.
“I sincerely doubt that to be your decision, my lady. I trust in your reason and willingness to permit me to prove a point,” Moonwarden riposted, smiling as the Princess did not follow her threat with further actions.
“You mind ventures into dark places, my servant,” the Princess had to conclude, somewhat astonished by what she heard. Not appalled though. She could not be so, she was plunging her mind into the same directions far too often.
“Are there any other premises worth exploring, my lady?” he asked rhetorically. “After all, everything else is basked in the light of Friendship and other illustrious conventions,” he paused for a moment, leaning back and spreading his forelegs in a gesture of conclusion. “And so I hope I have put your mind at ease, Your Majesty. Your course of action was reasonable and using Twilight Sparkle to achieve your goal, well... if there is anypony capable of succeeding against a stacked deck of Fate, it is Twilight Sparkle.”
“Even if I had my hoof in stacking the deck?” Luna inquired serenely, giving her servant an intrigued look from over her glass.
Moonwarden smirked back and drank some of his liquor. “Only slightly, though. If you were actually to scheme against Twilight, Your Majesty, the naïve child would crumble and perish in no time.”
“You are too reproachful, my servant,” Luna chastised him. “Twilight Sparkle is destined for great things and her inner strength pushes her through many terrible perils.”
“Blind faith in Friendship can hardly be considered ‘strength’, Your Majesty. It leads to trusting against reason, certitude contra logic.” Moonwarden waved his hoof dismissively. “Although if I had even the most miniscule of proofs that her levity in the ideals of Friendship is based on rationale and not some sort of serendipitous spark...” he paused meaningfully and looked around. “Alas, nothing so far,” he concluded, but his conviction only made Luna giggle.
“You might learn one day, my servant, that you are closer to the hidden truth about Friendship than you think,” she addressed him with a smile. She then nodded, visibly relieved. “Thank you for your words of reassurance, my advisor.”
“Your gratitude is the greatest of honours, my lady. I understand why you would be cautious. After all, Twilight Sparkle happens to be Equestria’s prime champion, her safety is crucial for the domain. But, as much as it escapes reasoning itself, she has dealt smoothly with every challenge in her life so far.”
Luna stood up from her seat after she finished her drink, causing Moonwarden to lift himself up as well.
“I still wish for you to bring me any news about her mission that reach your ears,” the Princess commanded.
“Naturally, my lady. However, our sources shall be limited behind the borders of Noctraliya. We have no spies there whatsoever,” the advisor admitted, squinting his eyes in deep thought. “Although, I have recently found out that I am considered a convert by the batpony Nightguard.”
The Princess blinked a couple of times before speaking up.
“As in – you following me just like my children? Praising me as the Immaculate Moon?”
“It appears so, yes. I do praise you, my lady, just on a slightly different basis,” he assured, smiling mysteriously. “But if this rumour of my conversion could grant me an advantage when dealing with the batponies, I shall use this opportunity,” the stallion declared, approaching the grand table and picking his monocle up. “The Moonwarden. I like the sound of that a lot.”
Witnessing his content expression, Luna shook her head. What did she just tell him about trimming his pride?
“Ever the opportunist,” she muttered, causing him to chuckle as he put on his eyepiece.
“Pardon me, my lady, but if it were not for that feature of my character, I would never have come into your service. And you would be missing a crafty advisor.”
“Wait, I think I know exactly what you are talking about,” Luna pondered theatrically, rubbing her chin with unmatched grace. “Do you mean the time when you were supposed to provide security coverage for the Grand Galloping Gala? When you abandoned your post, committed breach of security perimeter, sneaked into my private chambers like a burglar and demanded being given a place by my side?”
Moonwarden furrowed his brow. “No, Your Majesty. I mean the time when I had used my operative permissions to leave my post and scout the castle for threats, utilized my prowess in infiltration to avoid the Royal Guard, gained access to your chambers akin to a silent shade and bent my knee before you in my great humility, pleading for being allowed to eternally serve you,” he listed with a growing, jovial smile. “As I have said, evaluation of deeds is purely a matter of perspective.”
“Indeed. I will agree with the ‘plea of eternal servitude’, although I leave the rest up to debate,” Luna responded, trying to hide her mirth. “However, you cannot contest one fact with your logic of ambiguity.”
“And what would that circumstance be?” Moonwarden replied overconfidently.
“That by the time you returned to your post, the Grand Galloping Gala had been turned by Twilight Sparkle and the Element Bearers from the most sophisticated and refined of Equestrian celebrations into a disaster that was widely discussed throughout the following months.”
The unicorn’s sly smile began shrinking and fading as Luna continued, her own grin fueled by his draining amusement.
“And, if I recall correctly, you were nearly demoted and incarcerated by the High Council for this, for you were trusted to keep the event going resplendently, without disturbances or any fracas. And in which task you had failed miserably.”
By that point, Moonwarden looked like an icon of pure resignation.
“Not to mention that rumors reached me about you being nearly trampled by the Royal Gardens’ animals and—”
“My lady, please, have mercy... You have won this round,” the unicorn interrupted her on a comically sorrowful note of conceding. “Well played,” he admitted, exhaling and returning to his work, beaten.
Luna giggled at his exaggerated expression of despair. She knew it was but a temporary victory of hers, but she was going to enjoy winning this banter. She was about to leave him to his task, but a sudden realization occurred to her.
“Moonwarden?”
“Yes, Your Majesty?” he replied immediately, his face back to a perfect, neutral expression.
“That report from Hollow Shades... It said that they have surpassed quotas because of province charting, right?”
Moonwarden looked around for the parchment, finally finding it on the side table, where the Princess must have left it without noticing. He levitated it towards him and scanned its contents once more.
“Y... yes, my lady, that is what the report states,” he confirmed before looking with curiosity at the Princess.
“Did the Bureau of Cartographers pass a decision lately to chart the Eastern Woods? I do not recall anything like this.”
Moonwarden pondered for a while, closing his eyes in concentration.
“No... neither do I, Your Majesty. The last official update of maps happened last year, so the law does not demand a renewal just yet.”
“Look into that,” Luna declared, leaving Moonwarden to his tasks.
“Right away, Your Majesty,” he responded loyally, bowing down before the Princess of the Night and watching her depart.
However, Luna stopped in the doorway for a moment and smirked. “And when you will be done for tonight, perhaps you would like to continue our game of chess?”
Moonwarden replied with a sly grin, not a trace of his latest loss in banter present on his muzzle.
“But, my lady, I am an opportunist, no? And so, if I was granted with such a favorable circumstance of having your queen compromised, I will take my time planning, before taking an utterly merciless advantage...” he whispered back to Luna with undeniable satisfaction.
As he recommenced his duties, the Princess did feel a small sting in her heart. Yes, her decision of allowing Twilight to go might have been reasonable from a certain perspective...
But who could assure her that Noctraliya did not have its own merciless opportunists, ready and waiting?
***
Twilight could hear her heart pounding so loud she was almost certain that it was audible all around the cavern filled with batponies. Adamant Fang, saluting but grinning widely, addressed her after the metallic echo of the recent greeting faded away amongst the vast crevices and fissures of the cave.
“Once more, it is a unique pleasure to be a part of this historical moment!” he boomed, his accent becoming thicker alongside his rising enthusiasm. “May your visit account to the great vision of Neskaza Lunee!” he roared the Goddess’ name with zeal.
The entire chamber honored their deity by lowering their heads in veneration. Even Twilight caught her neck bending down in an instinctive response. She deliberated going through with the gesture but, just before she was able to make up her mind, the host looked back at her.
“It was Her merciful will to allow you to aid Her numerously. For carrying out Her grand plan, even against your nature and choice, you have our great gratitude!”
Twilight smiled in reply to his praises, yet it was a rather empty grimace from her. She was not sure whether there was any gratitude truly present in the General’s speech. From what she could deduce from his tone and choice of words, her role in freeing Princess Luna and subsequent events was considered less than significant and the emphasis was placed on the will of the Immaculate Moon.
Not that Twilight felt a glutton for exaltation! But she would appreciate some credit at least, right?
Adamant Fang continued in the meantime.
“And, as I hope you shall allow me, Princess,” he paused in an inquiry and Twilight nodded, even though she wasn’t certain what exactly was she agreeing to, “I would like to welcome to our home our brothers!” He pointed out Midnight and Deep Mist to the gathered warriors. “Hwale dla Nocferrat!”
The whole chamber erupted in shouts and cheers, causing Twilight to grind her teeth at the sheer force behind the voices. Her brain was inclined to point out that, as much as her greeting was more elaborate and dignified, even with Adamant Fang’s misplaced emphasis, the welcome that her entourage received was far more enthusiastic.
The Nightguardians exchanged glances and stepped forward, presenting themselves to the crowd in the full splendor of their armors and equipment. They gathered all of their pride and stood dignified and tall, receiving this unique greeting from their brethren. Twilight thought that it would all have been better if Midnight and Deep Mist didn’t have their manes soaking wet from their recent stunt and their wings shaking with fatigue.
Then again, she was herself wrapped in a piece of damp, heavy cloak so she wasn’t going to be the one to point hooves at appearances.
Adamant Fang raised his hoof and the warriors responded immediately, as dead silence fell upon the cave.
“Swadrani!” he shouted and Twilight spotted at least a dozen of ponies from the front row of the formation step forward and salute in response. “Full reports in an hour. And, to celebrate this moment further, a cup of gozalke for everypony this supper! Dismissed!” Adamant Fang roared, giving Twilight a proud glance.
The mare had a pretty good idea that the General wished to be seen as a generous leader and the massive cheer of the crowd that happened soon afterwards was to be the confirmation of his benevolence. Twilight’s stomach also responded to this obnoxious magnanimity, pointing out that the mare was going to have to tackle the drink tonight as well, if there was to be a more elaborate celebration in her honor.
“Now, allow me, Princess, to further escort you to your quarters,” Adamant Fang offered with a graceful nod after the batponies began dispersing in squads, each group heading their own way, disappearing in an organized manner into numerous corridors.
“Very well, General. Might I ask a few questions of you? I am incredibly curious about this bastion and your fine soldiers,” Twilight requested, following the officer down the slope, to the ground level of the cavern.
Adamant Fang seemed honestly happy about her inquiry. “Oh, of course, Princess! Ask away, it shall be my pleasure to answer!”
“Is this the largest fortress in Noctraliya? This cavern itself is humongous and I presume you have a whole system of caves around...”
“As far as our defenses go, this is one of the largest, yes, but I cannot grant you exact numbers, Princess,” he replied, his tone becoming more polite and timid than before.
“Caste rules, General? I understand, don’t fret,” Twilight quickly assured.
Adamant Fang raised his brow. “Precisely, Princess, I am overjoyed you understand. Somepony gave you a résumé, I gather.”
The mare stifled a giggle, for in the corner of her eye she spotted Midnight smirking.
Adamant Fang resumed cordially. “I can say, though, that the Border houses warriors from all the peaks. It is the grandest fortress belonging to the Seven Mountains, not just one Family. We house everypony here, from every part of our domain.”
“Of course. I am astounded by the amount of warriors you have commissioned to this greeting. It was really unnecessary to make them abandon their other duties,” Twilight pointed out, trying to appear as grateful as she was capable of, watching the officer’s grin growing. “The rest of the place must have appeared abandoned!” she guessed, surprisingly causing Adamant Fang to burst into laughter.
“Oh, no, Princess. This was but one company,” he looked around, his subordinates returning to their tasks left and right. “We have far more warriors here.”
Twilight caught Midnight raising his brow just before he presented a question.
“Pardon me, tribun, but does Ambyit not have only one company assigned to it? Or did that change while we were away?” He pointed at himself and Deep Mist.
Adamant Fang peeked back in a blink of an eye.
“Honored Covenant’s recent decision, Nightguardian,” he replied shortly. His eyes stopped on Twilight for a split second before he focused on one of the more elaborate corridor entrances. That short glance of his was so frigid and in contrast to his jovial demeanor, Twilight simply couldn’t miss it.
And neither could Midnight.
“Might I inquire wh—”
“You heard, Maednoc Wentr, Cowenea decision. Don’t dwell on it!” Deep Mist burst into the conversation, cutting off his companion with a smile, although the tone of his voice was alarming at best.
Twilight joined in, quickly changing the subject. “I have to say that they present themselves convincingly. I had no idea about the level of discipline amongst batpony soldiers...”
The General and the two Nightguardians stared at her. Adamant Fang appeared somewhat flattered, while she did catch curiosity mounting in her entourage’s eyes. Twilight hoped that the officer would buy her feint around the hazardous topic and that Midnight and Deep Mist would realize that it was a deliberate stunt.
“I am glad you find it praiseworthy,” Adamant Fang replied gratefully. “Our duty is our honor!”
“It shows, General, I assure you.”
Deep Mist, seemingly understanding Twilight’s initiative, joined in. “Knaze is not simply flattering you, tribun, she knows a thing or dwo about discipline, being a sister of centur u Regiferrat.”
Adamant Fang gave Twilight a look of disbelief.
“Is that so? You are clearly a noble, Princess, but I do not think if I have ever heard about Captain Sparkle, or Captain Twilight...” he pondered, squinting his eyes.
“No, no!” Twilight waved her hoof, trying to hide her desire to laugh. “My brother is Shining Armor, General.”
“Oh, I know him! But why—” Realization shined in Adamant Fang’s eyes. “Of course, silly me! It escaped my mind that Equestrians are not being named in the same way we are. Pardon me, Princess.” He shook his head as the group approached one of the corridors.
Twilight took this opportunity to glance at the arch that was ornamenting the entrance. It was of specific, pointed, ogival shape, making it feel like the passageway was trying to invite the looker to glance upwards. It appeared really light considering it was carved in solid rock, an impressive feat of masonry. Although Twilight’s proficiency at stoneworking was purely theoretical.
Adamant Fang proceeded in the meantime. “So Shining Armor is your brother then? A capable officer, I have heard. Ardent Fang mentioned him in his letters a few times.”
“I have always admired him, General. Being a Royal Guard had been his dream since colthood,” Twilight revealed and the officer smiled widely.
“My brother thinks of him as a dutiful and honorable stallion. Is it true he now holds a title of a Prince?”
“Yes, after marrying Princess Cadance.”
“Knaz Niteyu Zbroy... You come from a true aristocratic Family then, at least from what I understand about Equestrian nobility,” the General pointed out. “Not to mention—” he wished to continue, but something caused him to abandon the sentence unexpectedly. Instead, he raised one of his hooves in the air. “Oh, allow me to ask something of your escort, Princess.” He quickly turned his head, not waiting for any permissions. “We shall be passing by the shrine, do you want to pray after tonight’s journey?”
“I would gladly enjoy a moment of communion, yes,” Midnight replied with polite gratitude, “but only if the Princess shall permit that. I know she would like to rest.”
“Why, naturally! Do not allow me to stop you from praying. Your faith is important to you all,” Twilight assured, despite not being entirely happy that she will have to stop by someplace with this wet, heavy cloak on her back. But the grateful smile from Midnight did outshine the cons of the General’s offer.
“Very well, then, it is but a moment away from here, Princess,” Adamant Fang declared.
The corridor they were trotting through was a bit more elaborate than the transport one from before. Polished rock replaced the cobblestone of the floor and the candles lighting up the passage were placed in more elegant, iron lanterns, their frames showing the same, arched designs of the passageway. Twilight could not really focus on those while moving, but she could swear that the metal was shaped in intricate, circular designs.
She promised herself to look into these when given an opportunity. Batponies’ craftsmanship was looking more and more alluring to her so far.
She really had to put down a list of things to ask about! She still needed some of the Lords’ names from her companions. And a thing or two about the ponies themselves, naturally.
And now she also wished to inquire Midnight about Deep Mist’s shiner.
And the confusion with the number of troops at the bastion.
And whether he spotted any of the Occultan around.
... weren’t her conversation topics simply wonderful?
After a minute or so, the group arrived at the next cave, smaller than the previous one, but with a much more captivating interior. In the middle of it stood a fountain, with clear water descending down in four, wonderfully steady arches from the center column, adorned by a sculpture of a batpony mare in full armor. This type of gear Twilight had not seen amongst batponies so far.
The walls of the cave were chiseled down to create a quite unique mixture of raw stone towards the ceiling and smooth rock on the ground level. More passages, all of them arched in this specific, architectural design, were leading into various directions, with steps of carefully adorned stone leading to those higher off the ground. And, surprisingly, the cave had proper lanterns placed on poles on the outskirts of it, supplemented in the center by a hanging, iron “chandelier” of seven more beacons, making the place dimly, but actually lit, even for the mare. It was an elaborate, elegant in its underground splendor, place, one that she would not expect in a military installation.
Twilight’s eyes glistened in the dark and Adamant Fang spotted her wonder with ease.
“Welcome to the Inner Courtyard, Princess. This is where we have the officer’s quarters and our local shrine,” he explained waving his hoof.
“It looks quite spectacular, General,” the mare honestly judged. “It must have taken talented masons to create such a unique space. Those walls seem almost polished!”
“The Border is a newer bastion, so our architecture here is not at its apex. But I have to warn you that if you have been impressed by this, you might want to take in places like the Sanctuary of the First Night in installments…” he jested, but Twilight took his advice to heart. If the famed “Tuarie” was the most important holy place in the domain, she could only imagine how much more elaborate it was going to be.
“And who is this the likeness of, General?” she inquired as the group ventured into the cavern and approached the fountain.
“The greatest of Noctraliyayi military commanders. High General Ebon Fang, known as the Defender of Faith, the Fang of the Goddess and Nadyir,” Adamant Fang revealed, saluting while mentioning the name of the batpony. His gesture was quickly followed by the honorary entourage as well as Midnight and Deep Mist, perhaps even more zealously.
Twilight took a good glance at the sculpture, using the fact that the hanging lanterns were granting her enough illumination to spot the details of it. Ebon Fang was portrayed standing on her hind legs, her wings outstretched in a fierce motion, like she was rearing to face down a challenge coming her way. The stone forming her two sets of claws was done in an imposing way to showcase their sharpness, and wavy lines were chiseled into the blades, like an indication of something staining the weapons. Twilight pondered that it could have been an artistic representation of blood. Despite that detail and her stance, however, the High General’s face was stoic and calm, as much as Twilight could see her expression from behind the dark, granite helmet. But there was hidden fervency captured in her eyes, as they were focusing on a long-gone enemy Ebon Fang was facing at the moment she was captured in stone.
The statue’s armor was also intriguing. It looked incredibly heavy in comparison to the gear Twilight observed on the Nightguard, or local warriors. It would surely provide protection, but at a cost of agility and speed and it could have only been worn by a pony of great strength. Perhaps it was a set of ceremonial plate, considering all the motives carved into the stone? Stars and fangs, the lunar circle ornamenting the chest...
What kind of war was there between the batponies so that this mare, Ebon Fang, was immortalized so heroically and received titles like the ones mentioned by Adamant Fang?
“Nadyir...” Twilight whispered, remembering that one mountain peak called likewise. Was there a possible connection here?
“Noctraliya would not be the same without her,” the General softly exclaimed, his eyes locked on the statue, before he shook his head and smiled at Twilight. “But, let us leave old history for now. We are writing down another chapter this very moment. Please, Princess, the shrine is right nearby.”
The officer pointed at a distant set of ornate, heavy doors, framed by a dark arch with a symbol of the full moon adorning the top of it. The sign had a pale tint to it, resembling the aura of the lunar circle with its hue. And, to Twilight’s amazement, the craters and maria seemed to have been carved onto it with painstaking precision. She knew that the moon was considered a holy symbol for the batponies, but not to the extent of showcasing most of the details of its surface. And Twilight could not deny the feeling of excitement over visiting a true place of religious worship, especially one that was putting so much attention to specifics!
Her mind recalled the fact that she was still covered in the repulsively wet piece of cloth. But discomforts away – she was about to do some observations!
The group approached the ornate passage and the General reached for the solid, iron ring acting as a handle. The doors creaked on a bass key as they revealed the interior of the place. And Twilight’s jaw was close to dropping at the sight.
The shrine was done in a rectangular shape, having two rows of columns present on both sides of the central nave, carved from the mountain with surprising grace and lightness. The top of the cave, to which Twilight’s gaze escaped involuntarily following the clustered pillars, was arched as well, appearing like it was connected by “branches” stretching from the sides of the place and the columns. Close to the far end of the shrine, a circular hole was positioned in the ceiling, and the mare recalled that Midnight mentioned the possibility of the herami being lit up by moonlight. The floor was done in various, curved shapes, carved straightly into the rock, imitating proper tiles.
Almost everywhere, bar the central line, cushions of dark hues were placed in a specific, diagonal pattern, granting enough space for worshipers to sit down properly. And, at that moment, a number of batponies were occupying those seats, listening to chanting coming from a robed and hooded pony present at the far side of the shrine. In front of the cantor stood an altar adorned with white material, on which a silver disk was placed upon a marble, ornate stem. The symbol of the Immaculate Moon. Heads of all the supplicants were turned towards it.
“Kwod Tue daze uai myire i woyn!” a mare’s voice, strong and zealous, echoed through the shrine with a canorous vibe to it.
It was a rather incredible way of chanting. Complicated trills were signifying the vowels, showcasing impressive vocal abilities of the cantor. The hymn remained softly harmonious, even with all the changes in tones, never leaving the assigned key. And the melody, the melody was nothing Twilight has ever heard before, complex and intricate. She could almost feel its pattern, one weaved with passion and steadfast faith. The echo of the incantation was almost hypnotizing, bouncing of the walls and columns, multiplying and causing the atmosphere to become heavy with levity.
“Uai grati Tue, Neskaza Lunee...” the worshipers replied in unison, their monotonous song so very different from the cantor's alto. Deep, simple and humble, as they lowered their heads, only lifting them after a moment of pure silence.
“Kwod Tue daze uai risi i lzi!” the mare sang the same melody and yet Twilight felt like she could now take note of even more incredible arpeggios.
“Uai grati Tue, Neskaza Lunee...” the solemn reply once again was.
Adamant Fang's voice was but a mere whisper. “It seems tonight’s worship is still going on...” He gestured his subordinates to stay outside and closed the doors slowly. He then turned to the Nightguardians. “Do join in, warriors, I shall accompany the Princess.”
“Thank you, General,” Midnight nodded, also keeping his voice low. “Princess, it should only take a moment.”
“Go on, don’t worry, I don’t mind,” Twilight assured him, to which he smiled and trotted to take a place. In the meantime Deep Mist already did occupy one of the cushions and began praying.
“Kwod Tue crone uai od golod!” the mare leading the ceremony invoked once more.
“Uai grati Tue, Nezkaza Lunee...” the response was repeated again, now bolstered by the warriors’ voices. Twilight turned to the officer, who stood near her, staring intently towards the altar.
“If you would like to join the prayer too, General, do not let me stop you...”
He curtsied before replying. “That is very kind of you, Princess, but it would be inappropriate to abandon a guest just like that and the Goddess surely understands. She does not force us to pray. We do so voluntarily, when we have a calm opportunity,” he assured. “Besides, I prefer to worship Her privately, at home with my family, when I have the chance.”
“I understand, of course. Midnight t—Midnight Wind told me,” she corrected herself rapidly, remembering that shortening the name was a sign of disrespect amongst the noctrali, “that a ceremony like this is non-obligatory. Still, I see a reasonable attendance,” she pointed out as she quickly counted almost forty batponies present in the shrine.
“If duties allow it, we come here quite often. To praise our Goddess is right and just,” the stallion declared faithfully.
“Kwod Tue crone uai od cladi!”
“Uai grati Tue, Neskaza Lunee...”
“As a scholar, I am fascinated by your religion,” Twilight whispered when the echo of the reply subsided and Adamant Fang raised his head. “I have never before encountered a culture with such an emphasis on spirituality.”
“It is what defines us and binds us, Princess,” the General’s voice was deathly serious. “The Immaculate Moon... graced us with so many gifts throughout history and She continues to provide for us, like a caring parent. You must realize, Princess, that we have a Goddess for our Mother.” The batpony stared towards the silver discus above the altar. “Can any other nation, can any race in the World make a claim akin to that?”
Twilight pondered at those words. There was so much conviction and strength behind them, she felt truly bewildered. If Adamant Fang was to be considered a typical worshiper of the Immaculate Moon, then the batpony faith must have been unbelievably... well, adamant.
“Kwod Tue crone uai od Sewira Solee!”
“Uai grati Tue wiecn, Neskaza Lunee!”
The mare heard Princess Celestia’s title and could not stop herself from sighing as it rang in her ears, despite the enchanting melody accompanying it. Adamant Fang spotted her expression.
“What is wrong, Princess?”
“Oh, nothing, don’t worry, General. I feel slightly... out of place, that’s all,” she revealed with a slightly sheepish grin, staring at all the gathered supplicants.
The officer furrowed his brow. “I think I can understand Princess. If I were soleerane standing in this shrine, I myself would feel alienated. Especially,” he paused, giving Twilight a judging, cautious stare, “if I were marked by Sewira Solee just like you are.”
Twilight’s eyes widened at both his words and the gaze she received. “Whatever do you mean, General?”
“You are an envoy of the Judging Sun, of course. She had bestowed her magic upon you, changing you,” he replied, his piercing eyes switching their attention from her horn to her wings. “Equestrians follow the harsh goddess, yes, but your role, your place, was even closer to her and your form confirms that. However, it is not too late, Princess,” his tone was utterly serious, but not without a certain feeling of compassion.
“... for what?”
“The Immaculate Moon... finds you worthy of fulfilling Her great plan. It is a sure sign that Her hoof is extended towards you. It is reaching mercifully towards all of soleerani. You just need to take it and embrace Her truth, Princess. And, fear not, you would not be the first to do so,” the General emphasized with a smile that was a mixture of genuine kindness and fervent satisfaction.
Twilight felt her mind buzzing. What... what was going on? What did he mean? The hoof of the Immaculate Moon extended towards her? And she should be taking it, not being the first t—Wait, was he actually trying to convert her?!
This thought did fill Twilight with an opulent dosage of panic. For once, she had never faced conversion before, so how was she supposed to know how to react to it?! The last thing she desired was to somehow insult the General, especially since his motivation was, as she had to evaluate, pure and coming straight from his heart.
Twilight was about to speak up, trying to do her best at placating Adamant Fang, but Midnight and Deep Mist approached, having finished the prayers alongside the others.
“Praise the Goddess that we are home,” Midnight declared zealously, causing a wide smile from Adamant Fang.
“Feels good to address Her back in the homeland, doesn’t it?” the officer inquired rhetorically.
Deep Mist nodded. “To bid vere. And arcemandre has an enchanting voice,” he pointed at the robed batpony who stood up and folded her wings after a longer while in the praying position. Adamant Fang’s eyes glinted joyously.
In the meantime, Midnight turned to Twilight, witnessing her confounded look and mouth hanging ajar.
“Twilight, are you alright?” he whispered worryingly, stepping closer.
It took the mare a moment to realize that she must have been looking rather silly, befuddled with the situation. A blush reddened her muzzle.
“Yes! Yes, of course, we were just discussing your religion with the General,” she pointed at Adamant Fang, who nodded with grace.
“I’m glad the Princess is finding it fascinating, it is a step in the right direction!” he responded, overjoyed.
The other batponies gathered in the shrine began passing the group and heading outside, their curious stares focused on the newcomers, and Twilight especially. An occasional whisper or two could be heard. But what also caught the mare’s attention was the fact that the soldiers were not addressing the officer in other way than a polite bow of their heads. And Adamant Fang was responding in kind, alongside Midnight and Deep Mist.
“Pardon me asking, but why are you not being saluted, General?” Twilight inquired rather loudly, but a different pony had decided to sate her curiosity.
“For here, in the temple of the Goddess, we are all equal.”
The mare leading the prayer was trotting towards the group. She removed the hood of her simple and mundane grey robe, revealing a silver coating of her muzzle and a true cascade of lilac mane. It fell down her back in an intricate, complicated braid, a pin of pure silver holding it together. The mare’s saffron eyes were focused on the Princess with calm, almost regal, joy. The priestess was remarkably dignified and captivating, even if Twilight was to take into consideration the untamed side of batponies’ physical appeal.
“In the eyes of our Mother, we are but Her children. Titles and positions do not matter, only our hearts and souls,” the newcomer explained in an accent only just less thick than that of Adamant Fang, but significantly more sophisticated.
It was the officer that introduced the mare. “Speaking of hearts and souls... Princess, Nightguardians, allow me to introduce arcemandre Shadebloom, my own heart and soul.”
The priestess bowed her head slowly before the group, revealing her alabaster teeth in a warm smile before replying to Adamant Fang.
“Dearest husband, you did not tell me that the Princess would arrive to join tonight’s celebration! I would have intonated a Hymn of Gratitude for her safe arrival,” she chastised the General lightly.
“I did not plan that, my beloved. But since we were passing by, I thought our Nocferratani would like to visit the shrine,” he explained, grinning back at his wife.
Deep Mist greeted the mare with a respectful nod. “Allow ia to say,” he began, glancing at the General, “that you have an amazing voice, arcemandre. Tribun is a very lucky stallion.”
Twilight was not sure who felt more flattered by this sentence, the blushing Shadebloom or the beaming Adamant Fang. Midnight, meanwhile, chuckled at his comrade’s praise.
“It’s good to make your acquaintance, arcemandre. Nocferratani Deep Mist and Midnight Wind, at the Goddess’ service.”
“A great pleasure. But we seem to be overlooking our most important guest, wampiri,” Shadebloom pointed out, bowing her head before Twilight.
“I am happy to meet you, arcemandre Shadebloom,” Twilight greeted the priestess and her smile widened at those words.
“It is a wonderful pleasure, seeing you in our temple. As we did not invoke a chant in your honor, allow me..."
She raised her right foreleg, first gently moving aside Twilight's mane, much to the mare's boundless confusion.
“May the Light of the Goddess shine upon you, Twilight Sparkle,” Shadebloom enunciated, tracing a minute, vertical circle on Twilight’s forehead, under her horn, with the tip of her hoof. The priestess then continued. “I cannot help but spot your journey must have been dreadful. Did you actually fly into that forecasted blizzard?” she inquired, giving the mare's cloak an evaluating look.
Twilight was slightly too dumbfounded to go on with the conversation, so Midnight decided to take the initiative.
“Unfortunately, yes, but we have bested it,” he accentuated with pride, earning something of a criticizing glare from Deep Mist.
Shadebloom covered her mouth.
“Thank the Goddess nothing happened to you. I heard the storm struck us faster than anticipated! Dearheart,” she addressed her husband, “please prepare one of my dresses for the Princess, we can’t have her irrigate in this ensemble.”
Adamant Fang gave Twilight a sheepish look while Midnight desperately tried to hide his amusement. In the meantime Twilight had managed to awaken from the shocked stupor and lifted her hooves in polite protest.
“I-it’s really unnecessary, arcemandre. I have some dresses of mine with me, I shall change into one of those.”
“Oh, but Princess, it would be my great pleasure to assist you in looking resplendent at a little meal we have prepared in your honor,” Shadebloom insisted. “Please, allow me to, in such way, repay you for your continuous aid to the Goddess!”
And, just like that, Twilight felt that pushing her way would not be the correct decorum in this situation.
“Very well, arcemandre. I happily accept such a repayment,” she assured, in truth touched by this gesture of gratitude.
“Wonderful! It shall be an unmatched honor to have you dine with us. You are expected as well, Nocferratani,” she added, glancing at the Nightguardians. “Now, I must return to my duties. I need to grant spiritual aid to Prepast.”
Shadebloom put on her hood back, which immediately transformed her from a dignified General’s wife to a simple ascetic. She pointed at a stallion in the distant corner of the shrine, the only pony left in the attendance, his teary eyes locked on the silver circle above the altar. His mouth was moving quickly as he was muttering something under his breath, his muzzle a mosaic of despair and elation.
Adamant Fang raised an eyebrow, worried. “Swadran Chasm? Bogine, what’s wrong with him? He looks like he has lost his mind.”
To everypony’s surprise, Shadebloom giggled.
“The physician confirmed that his wife is pregnant...”
“Wonderful!” the General replied in an excited whisper.
“... with triplets.”
“Oh, kirwe,” a swear escaped the officer's mouth, as his enthusiasm died even quicker than it appeared.
“Adamant Fang, mind your tongue!” Shadebloom berated her husband.
Meanwhile, Deep Mist hissed and Midnight let out a long, profound exhale, one of those that a stallion does to express solidarity with another stallion.
Twilight’s lips twitched, masking a chortle, as she spotted the roll of the priestess’ eyes from under the hood.
“All the males are alike, no?” Shadebloom left the group with the amused echo of the rhetorical inquiry and ventured to tend to the soon-to-be father.
It turned out that the guest chambers were neighboring with the shrine, so it did not take the group more than a moment to reach them, up a set of grand, granite stairs. Adamant Fang had the door opened, leading Twilight into a spacious, rectangular room, carved meticulously in the dark rock, the style of which could be described as contesting with five-stars Equestrian hotels when it came to the quality of wood and cloth. Minus the lack of windows.
“This is the antechamber, Princess. Your room is behind these set of doors, you shall find everything you need there, a bath pocket included, if you’d like to freshen after the journey,” Adamant Fang declared, as his troops put the luggage in the room and left in an orderly fashion.
“It is most courteous of you, General,” Twilight thanked, staring around surprised. She was convinced that this was her room, it looked so resplendent!
“I leave you now, Princess, as I am requested elsewhere. I shall allow myself to send an officer here in a couple of hours. Would that be alright with you, Princess?”
The mare nodded gracefully. “Why, naturally, General. I would enjoy an hour or two of rest after tonight’s flight.”
“Very well.” Adamant Fang grinned and saluted her, Midnight and Deep Mist responding in the gesture.
After the General left the room, both the batponies and the mare breathed out, relieved as never.
“Bogine,” Deep Mist invoked. He tossed his backpack near one of the beds, although clumsily enough to have it topple to the side and open, causing a map to roll across the floor. “Prokleyitu...!” he swore and hissed. “And here I thought we would never make it here...”
“I couldn’t agree more,” the mare concurred, letting out a heavy sigh. “The General is a polite stallion, but I dream of taking off this cloak and resting finally...”
Midnight nodded, putting down his own sack by another bed and removing his helmet. “Sounds like a plan... My wings are killing me.” He closed his eyes, arching his back slowly like a cat.
Twilight chuckled. Weren’t they a resplendent group of winded individuals? She took a moment to inspect the room further. The antechamber appeared like a stylish apartment of its own, prepared and furnished accordingly. If it wasn’t meant for the official guest visiting the Border, than it must have been prepared to house an entourage matching the traveler’s royal stature, considering the six beds present.
Deep Mist finally caught his escaping map and put it back into his backpack. Before he closed it, however, Twilight spotted a glint of metal from inside the sack, something akin to a curved dagger.
Huh, so the Nightguard had some backup weapons on themselves too, other than their claws. Smart.
Midnight groaned as a pop of his spine caused his eyes to open wide. “Oh, that’s better!” he declared ecstatically, relieved of the tension. “Alright, let’s get you into your chamber, Twilight. Deep Mist, lend me a hoof.”
“Sure,” the other batpony nodded, leaving his bag, which mockingly decided to fall on its other side causing him to exhale in resignation.
Twilight, in the meantime, attempted to drag her luggage on her own, but Midnight’s strict gesture halted her.
“What?” she inquired.
“We do the heavy-lifting around here,” he replied, winking playfully at her and grabbing her baggage himself.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Shadebloom was right, all males are the same.”
“Very funny.”
“So, this place is prepared to house Lords of the Families coming here, right?” Twilight inquired the moment the stallions approached the other set of heavy, pine doors, leading to the mare’s room. And what she saw inside when they opened it was more than enough to substitute for an answer.
Midnight let out a profound exhale. “That... is something,” those were the only words that escaped his mouth.
“By the ancestors!” Deep Mist was a bit more elaborate in his astonishment.
Twilight passed by her escort and entered the chamber, awestruck at the level of luxury she encountered. A rich, zaffre blue rug was covering the entirety of the floor and the chandelier in the middle was done in pure silver, shedding faint light that bounced of equally resplendent embellishments of the pine and spruce furniture. Not to mention that this place had an absolutely massive four poster bed, with woolen curtains of the same hue as the rug, embroidered with silver threads forming complex, stellar constellations.
“This looks like a royal bedroom!” Twilight exclaimed, taking note of a massive closet, a dining table for six ponies at the very least and an ornamented, wooden screen, behind which she did find a fully chiseled bathtub. “I think this might actually be bigger than Princess Celestia’s personal chamber!”
“Being a haspadr comes with some benefits, yes...” Midnight’s sarcasm was almost palpable. “I have told you that they are treated like royalty, yes?”
“I recall that, but I was not expecting something quite so... ostentatious!” the mare replied, trotting around the place with fascination. “Of all the places I’ve stayed in, this has to be the most rich so far, even the Crystal Empire being considered.”
“Points for Noctraliya, then...” Deep Mist concluded, leaving Twilight’s luggage by the bed and looking around in a clandestine fashion. “I don’t suppose we can be overheard here. Knaze, Maednoc Wentr, did you spot anything suspicious on the way?”
“I was going to ask about that, yes,” Twilight admitted, pointing at the table for them to join her as she took one of the seats. “I could not really observe those six local warriors while talking with the General.”
“Nothing weird about them, I don’t think,” Midnight clamped down on the chair. “By the Goddess, my wings...” he complained once more, slowly stretching and folding them back. “Anyway, I would not expect Occultan so elaborately put into such close vicinity.”
Deep Mist sat down slowly and removed his helmet. “Tac, I agree. It’s a spot a bit too obvious. And I don’t think we were being followed,” he pondered, resting his chin on his hoof. His forelock went straight for one of his eyes, but he did not seem to care at the moment.
A sudden thought occurred to Twilight. “Could, potentially, Adamant Fang or Shadebloom be...?”
Midnight shook his head fervently.
“No, I don’t see that being the case. Occultani are usually from the lower members of the caste. It’s easier to hide that way. Also, a higher ranking pony being discovered as an operative would make his subordinates... question his motivations. That is never a desired situation.”
“Tribun is above my suspicions, but his wife...” Deep Mist pondered, squinting his eyes. “She... didn’t strike me as Occultane. Then again, that would prove her good at her job, nye?”
“I really don’t know, friend...” Midnight rested his forehead on the table, the woolen strap in his mane untying itself after all the perils, causing his hair to cover his head on all sides. “Bleh...” the stallion declared incoherently in protest over the cruelty of the world, which made Twilight giggle.
She, however, soon returned to the topic at hoof. “Well, let us remain careful, I don’t think we are, so far, suspected of suspecting,” she declared, after a moment realizing the awkwardness of her sentence. By Princess Celestia, was she tired. “We should catch some rest for now, perhaps a nap. We still have to dine with the General tonight,” she reminded her entourage.
“I think I might pass... my body is killing me..." Deep Mist stretched in his seat and groaned, but his expression suddenly changed in mid-gesture. “Oh... Maednoc Wentr? I... want to thank you. You saved our hides in the snegyice.”
Midnight lifted his head and moved the mane covering his eyes to the side.
Deep Mist continued. “I know you fly benu, barbenu than most Nocferratani I know, but that was impredu... really, really impressive work... We are in your debt, friend...”
Twilight joined in immediately. “Deep Mist is right, Midnight. If it wasn’t for you...”
“Please, Twilight, Altu Opar, it’s nothing. Part of the job,” he quickly declared, grinning widely. He then put his head down on the table once more. “Now don’t wake me up until we have to go, or you need your lives saved, whatever comes first.”
“You are not sleeping on the table!” Twilight protested, trying to stop herself from cackling as Deep Mist exhaled and grabbed his comrade by his forelegs.
“Mota, you lazy bum.”
“Five minutes longer, mom,” Midnight’s muffled wail was, causing the chamber to be filled with fatigued hysterics.
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... yea They must fear Celestia alot. I mean they made a Hymn thanking their goddess for protection from her.
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Consider it a fearful respect towards a harsh and unforgiving deity, yes...
Moonwarden can go sit on a cactus!
That's just the goal as I see it and not a justification of why Twilight is being sent in unprepared.
The other part of the chapter was a delight as always. I predict lots of awkward laughs in the future with the priesthood trying to convert Twilight into accepting Luna as her Goddess and savior from the Judging Sun...
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"I find your limited understanding and crude, plebeian language disappointing..."
Glad you enjoyed the chapter.
I favorited this story because I like it and agreed with the praise of its' characters, world building, and pacing, but this chapter was quite a slog to get through. It really made obvious the pattern of explaining things three times over and having twilight examine each conversation she has immediately after she has it. Maybe try and interleave her inquisitive thinking into the narration while it's happening?
Also, if this wasn't a sequel I was invested in, the grammar mistakes would be too annoying to continue. Hearable should be audible. Tense, particularly in the first two chapters, is all over the place. The "to be" infinitive is used when it shouldn't, etc.
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I thank you for your input. I do admit that, when it comes to tenses and some grammatical constructions, I feel a bit uncertain when writing. The unfortunate circumstance of English not being the first language. If you would be ever so kind to, perhaps, pinpoint the most abhorrent mistakes in a private message, I would be more than grateful. Also, I shall try to take into consideration varying up the narration, if its pattern is quite so discouraging.
Thank you for tracking the story and investing your time in it nonetheless...
Out of curiosity. The language you are using for Midnight and the others. Is that Romanian? I ask cause I think I encountered this before on an Hellsing Fanfic. It seems to be a beautiful language.
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No, it is actually my own creation, although using a mixture of Slavic languages and Latin. So, considering the structure, basis and development process of Romanian language, Noctraliyar would be similar to it. However the grammar and vocabulary are all my ideas.
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Your own creation? Who are you? The next Tolkien?
Just kidding, but I like it. Sounds beautiful.
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Next Tolkien? No, not really. But one has to aspire to reach as far and high as it is possible.
Ia grat tu, priyat.
6701957 the two of us
This is an amazing story so far... the worldbuilding is just stunningly good.
I do kind of question Luna's choice in having a sociopath as an advisor, though. Moodwarden can go eat a rake.
Oh, Moonwarden is one of those guys. A fellow who is in love with his own voice so much, he can't stop talking; and moreover, one who wishes to move outside the morality of others because it's stifling to pure selfishness and tries to explain it away as "enlightenment", even when talking to the one person who knows better than anyone the power of Friendship.
He must be really good at his job, then, because he's unbearable to be around.
On further thought... I have been overly harsh towards Moonwarden, I think. He only blabbers if prodded, after all.
I feel a tad slow that it took me this long, but... what the noctrali are could be simply another form of Luna's jealousy given form. She wanted so badly to be worshipped, so she created a race that would worship her. And they do. Fanatically. In a sense they're praying to Nightmare Moon, not Luna.
Hmm, I can't help but think that because of their religious fervor shown in their military that that the Bat ponies are the mlp version of the Swedish Caroleans, which were what Swedish soldiers were called. These Swedish soldiers were professional soldiers that utilized discipline and religion to face the battlefield. Of course they weren't Holy crusaders, they simply understood that death was predetermined by God, meaning it was useless for a soldier to fear death on the battlefield. This did not make them completely fearless, but it was part of the reason they were considered the shock troopers of the 16th and 17th century.
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Throughout history there were a vast amount of units, or whole military doctrines that put emphasis on discipline and even ruthlessness. Enough said that batpony warriors would fit right in. And the entire race, with their devotion, is inspired by many peoples of past times.
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Dude, you are the best, and I really cannot stop thinking, you are the BEST you made this awesome world, a new language, and so much More! And I can't stop reading this!
after reading this and remebering the interviews, I am starting to smell COMMUNISMi.imgur.com/fAHJXa8.gif
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... this is pretty much as far removed from communism as it can be!
I have to admit I've been waiting for a "kurwa" equivilant...
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Cannot as well put it outright in Noctraliyar, but one has to find something similar to the World's most satisfying expletive.
After seeing the translation of the prayer in the author's notes, glad to see I mostly had that translated correctly when reading. Only difference was I had 'because' instead of 'for'. The language guide and dictionary is really helpful and I find it to be an interesting challenge to see if I can recall certain words in Noctraliyar.
Something I've been pondering for the last couple of chapters now is if Deep Mist is among the Occultans or if his correspondence with Azure Mist was simply the result of a personal request from her. There are a number of reasons why I doubt the former, but it's something constantly in the back of my mind.
I find the fact that Moonwarden talks to himself in the manner he does to be humorous. The fact that the monocle was "shifting from sentence to sentence" made me think that he actually does change personalities based on the direction the monocle is facing. Not saying this is what's happening but just a funny, yet intriguing, thought I had. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case. On a somewhat related note, I just realized that your profile pic is Moonwarden. Is he an OC of yours?
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Well, I just find myself to be sympathetic towards the character. And, I cannot lie, he has a number of my personality traits. But that is where one can find inspiration, no?
I am so happy you are enjoying the tale so far. You are still in for a wild ride too, I see.
The general is sus. Just what he said while at the chapel makes me think there's something more at stake.
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I don't think it will be much of a spoiler if I say that there's always something more at stake.
<3
bat ponies trying to convert Twilight is probably gonna show up more
Whenever I go back over Adamant Fang's words, I find myself fascinated and frustrated in equal measures by the batponies' faith. It's been well established how utterly self-aggrandising much of their ideology is, and their religion, as entertwined as it is with everything in their society, is not an exception. Indeed, most of them would most likely protest loudly and at length if it was pointed out, if not turn violent, but you can't help but wonder just how much of it came to be because every veneration of Luna is also a veneration of themselves. They see themselves as her personal chosen, pure people, after all. Everypony else is a traitor and a heathen.
And that's not even going into how it twists and turns to keep the above narrative. Because Adamant Fang asks this:
According to HIS OWN FAITH, Equestria has that same claim to fame.
But then, he thinks Equestrians follow Celestia, not Luna. Who is also a goddess. And that doesn't count. Somehow. Because all ponies were given their gifts by his Moon Goddess, all but the bats rejecting her of course, while the Judging Sun apparently was floating off in Limbo somewhere. Do they ignore her in that part of their creaton myth?
Moreover, what do the batponies actually believe the Equestrians believe? Because it seems like they think sunponies are commonly weak, coddled, pathetic, and incompetent... while they follow a deity representing harsh, merciless judgement. How in the world does that make sense? Do they think sunponies all continuously fail at what their goddess commands of them? And the Judging Sun just lets them not follow her commands all the time? Do they think Celestia commands anything of them at all?
Adamant Fang hosts a mare who he believes is the personal disciple of the Judging Sun, has been touched and transformed by her divine magic so much she carries a godly aspect herself. And that means... what? He hints that it means something, but he doesn't explain. Only that it's bad? Somehow? Maybe? Does he not wonder why the envoy of the Judging Sun, in some ways her avatar, is this blushy, friendly, curious girl who tries to be nice to everypony around her? Is that why he tries to convert Twilight, because she doesn't fit his idea of who and what Celestia is?
I really, really hope Twilight Sparkle will have an opportunity to sit down and talk with a batpony about how their religion works in regards to Equestrians. What they think Equestria is like. What they think Equestrians believe. Because, well, the above hints we have so far are a contradictory mess. Maybe digging deeper will clear some of it up.