55. No More Secrets
Royal addresses from the palace balcony were not commonplace. This was especially true during the winter months made even more frigid due to the high altitude. The weather teams had cleared the snow and clouds to ensure that we were moderately comfortable, but they had no control over the temperature.
Equestria’s many governors were seated in a special box that was opposite the members of parliament. They’d come from all around and were waiting patiently. Patiently but with trepidation, as the air was thick with fear of the unknown.
The press corps was clamoring to get a scoop and had packed their cordoned-off area fully. From the looks of it, every magazine and newspaper were represented.
This would have been a security nightmare if the palace wasn’t swarming with royal guards, the Equestrian army, and all of the various security teams. After all, how better to cripple a kingdom than to take out all the leaders in one attack?
I’d been privy to a lot of the civilian issues that were to be addressed. Unfortunately, by staying with Lady Cadence, I had not been able to poke my nose into Shining Armor’s side of the house. He’d been in constant meetings too and, from the look on his face, nothing good had come of them.
The large clock tower ticked another minute and then started to chime. It was on the third tone that the doors leading out onto the balcony opened and Princess Celestia strode forth. She was joined by Princess Luna, General Ironhoof, General Winddancer, and a golden mare I didn’t recognize.
The unfamiliar mare wore the armor of a temple guard, armor just like Exemplar Ferrel’s. Without a doubt, she was a high-ranking official. Somepony that, perhaps, had decided that the Temple didn’t need to be separated from the princesses during the upcoming trials.
The bell toned twelve times in all and, once it was finished, Princess Celestia began to speak. Her voice, though not loud, carried across the entire palace grounds and out into the city.
“My little ponies, we come before you today with heavy hearts and trepidation. What is about to be said should never be done so lightly. Not long ago, our friends and allies in the Kingdom of Nordanver were set upon by hostile forces from their neighbor to the south. This was an unwarranted attack that came with little warning.
“This hostility was wrought by the same gryphons that once asked for our help and then turned upon us when we gave it. Though it is not our way to answer aggression with aggression, Princess Luna and I believe we have an obligation to help when we can.
“With the support of the governors of Equestria and our parliament, it is my unfortunate duty to stand up to violence and, without reservation, say that the actions of King Kronson cannot stand. On this day, Equestria formally declares war upon him and the kingdom of Sudramoar.”
A collective gasp overtook the crowd. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine that maybe, just maybe, this was one of those bad dreams I occasionally had.
“I understand that you have reservations. You are, perhaps, frightened and worried. As you should be, little ponies. War is an awful thing. It is the very essence of disharmony, but it is my hope that by sending this message, King Kronson will rethink his plans and find a non-violent way to resolve his differences.
“To ensure he is properly motivated, however, we further pledge to immediately send material aid to King Ranald. Food, armor, weapons, and anything that may help their efforts as they battle to dislodge hostile forces from their kingdom.
“Additionally, after careful consideration, we have decided to deploy the Equestrian Army to Nordanver, where our soldiers will support the Gryphon Army. Beyond that, to free up King Ranald’s resources for the war effort, it is our intent to raise thirty-thousand Royal Guard volunteers that can go and secure the cities and towns of our ally. This way, we may protect their civilians and discourage further attacks from the Sudramoar forces.”
The whole army plus royal guards: a massive force compared to what had been sent in the previous conflict. Princess Celestia was likely frightened of that outcome happening a second time.
It was unbelievable. Tens of thousands of my sisters and brothers heading off to war.
“And so, in closing, I ask you all to support us in this decision. It is not one made lightly nor without consequence, but it was one that had to be made. Thank you all, and may we find harmony and peace in the future.”
There was no stomping or cheers. There was only stunned silence as the princesses left the balcony.
War. Just like that, we were at war.
It had all happened too fast. Way too fast.
☾
The Equestrian countryside flew by the train window. Canterlot was growing smaller and smaller in the distance. It was all still fresh in my mind. Russet and I were sitting across from each other staring at anything but each other.
“War,” he said.
“Yes.”
“It isn’t like you read about, is it? Instead of some defining moment, it is just a bunch of ponies in a room deciding. Then the army packs up and goes.”
“Yes. Do you think we shouldn’t go?”
He quickly shook his head. “Oh, no. We must go. We have to defend a friend. They’d do the same for us. I just… Silent, this isn’t what I wanted. I felt so hurt after what happened to us. I just wanted to do anything to hurt Alastair back. Anything at all. Him or any of the gryphons he represented. Now I have that chance but, in the end, it isn’t what I wanted. It isn’t really.”
I shook my head, though I was a little surprised to hear how Russet had really felt. We’d never talked. Maybe we should have. Maybe we could have helped each other. Maybe he could have stopped me.
“Me neither,” I replied. “My father talked about war with such… I guess reverence, but this doesn’t feel like that. Princess Celestia called it disharmony. It just feels wrong.”
“It does. It feels like being back in that gully, doesn’t it?”
A shiver crept up my spine and I nodded. “Yeah. Like something you have to do but can’t stand that fact.”
We went back to staring at our hooves. We were able to do that for a while, too. That was one of the good things about Russet. He understood when to just be silent.
Eventually, the sounds of approaching hoofsteps brought our heads up. It was Shining Armor, so we both stood immediately. This felt more like an official visit than just a casual conversation on the train.
“You two look pretty upset. I mean… you don’t, actually. You look blank like normal, but I know you well enough to know the difference.”
Russet nodded. “Yes, sir. Tough day.”
“The toughest,” I said. Did I have to go to war? Was that my punishment for my part in this? Ponies might end up dying over there. They had last time. Of course, last time they were peacekeepers. This time we were supposed to be defenders and advisors.
Shining Armor replied, “So it is, but that is what we’re trained for. Tough days. Now, as I know both of you well, I need to know what you’re thinking. You’re both the type to be one of those thirty-thousand volunteers. Be honest, boys.”
Russet idly rubbed his hoof against his foreleg. “Sir, I really appreciate the position I have, but I can’t sit behind a desk while this is going on. Especially not after the last time. Those were Sudramoar Gryphons. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I am going to volunteer.”
“And you?” Shining Armor asked, looking at me.
“I… I feel like Russet. So, y—” I closed my mouth then said instead, “I have to talk to Crystal. I should talk to her first.”
He nodded and replied, “I thought so. Don’t worry about it, Russet, I understand. Same to you, Silent. To be honest, I’d go, too, if I could, but that isn’t in the cards for me. There isn’t a lot of room for brigadiers and Central Command made it clear that they think my work here will be more important. Think it over, though. This is way too fresh. Give it a day or so and then let me know.”
“Yes, sir,” we replied in unison.
We settled back into our seats in silence after Shining Armor had left. Russet wouldn’t change his mind. I’m not sure I’d change mine either, but I was married now. I had to at least try to work through it with Crystal if I could.
If I could.
☾
I came through the door to find Crystal sitting at our kitchen table. She was looking right at me as if she’d been waiting there for hours. Then I saw it. She had the local newspaper under her hoof. The entire front page was dominated by a single headline: War Declared.
“Welcome home,” she said in a tense tone.
“Thank you,” I replied before taking off my helmet and walking towards the bedroom.
She stood and followed me. “How was your trip?”
“The trip was fine. The reason behind the trip was awful.” I pulled the door of our closet aside and opened the box Crystal had asked me to unpack.
“I can imagine. What are you doing?”
“Unpacking, like you asked.”
I sighed when I saw the contents of the box. Of course. What else would Dad have wanted me to have?
Carefully, I pulled out my father’s helmet from the time he was in the Army. It was an old style that allowed a pony’s mane to poke through the top instead of a fabricated crest. I set it aside.
Next came his campaign cloak. It was blue like his mane. It matched mine pretty well, too. Royal guards didn’t really wear them, but Equestrian soldiers did. They were good for keeping you warm out in the field.
The final item was one I’d seen all my life: Stratus Knight’s sword. It wasn’t a family heirloom, per se, since he’d never been given his father’s sword, but that didn’t really make a difference. The blade had been through a war and dozens of battles.
“Silent Knight…” Crystal whispered, creeping closer to me. “Why are you unpacking that now?”
My head drooped. “Disharmony has consequences.”
“What?” she asked.
“When we do bad things, there are consequences. It was something Luna said to me. I have done some bad things and aggravated a problem. I’m not sure what the right thing is, but I have a guess.” I picked up my father’s helmet.
“I see. Maybe you’ll figure it out,” she said, a slight waver in her voice. “I read they’re looking for thirty-thousand royal guards to go.”
I kept my tone flat. “They are. To protect the cities, not to fight the battles. I don’t think the Army is going to fight too much, either. The princesses want a show of force to discourage King Kronson.”
“Oh, well that makes sense. So…”
“Russet is going. He volunteered right away.”
She went rigid. “I see.”
“It might be bad, though,” I said softly. “You can never tell up front. Last time there weren’t supposed to be casualties, either. Ponies died over there while things were quiet here. Perhaps it will be exactly like that again. It really doesn’t seem fair.”
Crystal shook her head slowly. “No, I suppose not.”
It wasn’t fair that they’d go and be in harm’s way. What was so important about land that it was worth killing over? My forehoof started to shake a bit. I didn’t have to go but I wasn’t sure I could live with myself if I didn’t.
“Crystal, honey.”
Her voice was barely a whisper. “Yes?”
“I… I’m sorry. I think I should volunteer. I don’t want to. I really don’t… but I think I should.”
“No.” She reached for me with a trembling hoof. “Silent Knight, no!”
The sight broke my heart. I’d made so many mistakes, but hurting her was the worst of them all. “I don’t want to go, but I’m not sure I could look myself in the mirror if I didn’t. Do I really have a choice if I feel that way?”
“You do! You have every choice! You’re a security chief. That is important! Let the Army go. Let other royal guards go. Let those ponies go. Stay here and protect the governor.” She choked on her desperate plea, “Stay here with me!”
That would be a lovely thing, to stay with my wife and protect Lady Cadence. Of course, I’d have to see it all in the papers. War. Casualties. Death.
Russet would be there. How many other ponies that I knew would go, too? How many would I let die because of my pointless vengeance?
I shook my head. “I don’t know that I can do that. Not after what happened. There is more to it than you know.”
Crystal’s eyes pooled with tears. “How can you say that? What about me? What about us? You know it isn’t just about you anymore!”
That stung. It stung more than anything that had ever been said to me before. I closed my eyes and took a measured breath. “There is no way I can live with myself or be a good husband to you if I stay here while other ponies go to war in my stead.”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with you! You have a duty to Cadence. You have a duty to me!” I could hear the tears in her voice even if I couldn’t see them.
“Unfortunately, it does. It has a lot to do with me. I understand my obligations here, Crystal, but this is partially my doing. I facilitated this.”
She stomped a hoof. “What? Don’t be so dramatic! That’s the guilt talking. You’ve got it up in that stupid head of yours that you have to go everywhere soldiers go and die like them. There is more to life than that. I promise you’ll be fine if you don’t die on some battlefield!”
“Do you think I don’t know that now?” My voice shook as I tried and failed to keep calm. “Do you really believe I don’t want to just stay here with you? You’d be right about the old me, but there is something you don’t know. It changes everything!”
“What does! What don’t I know?!”
My jaw set. I was getting worked up. Arguing with Crystal felt wrong. Hurting her was akin to inflicting pain on myself. “This whole thing started over the death of the Sudramoar King’s grandson.”
“Yes, I know all that,” she snapped. “The Nordanver gryphons assassinated or imprisoned him. Now they’re under attack and they want us to bail them out.”
I opened my eyes and met hers. “No, they didn’t.”
“They did! The papers say so, or something like that. I can’t think straight, and it doesn’t matter anyway!”
“It does matter! It’s all lies. Lies by the Sudramoar King that couldn’t be disproved by the princesses, lies they allowed so that they could protect a stupid pony,” I replied bitterly.
I shook my head and turned away from her. I didn’t want to see her face when I told her the truth, but it was time to tell her. It was time for there to be no more secrets.
“That gryphon had another name: Alastair. Crystal… the moment I got well, I started hunting him. I fell in with some other ponies like me. We called in every favor, used every trick, and hounded him.”
There was a pause before she whispered, “Silent Knight… what are you saying?”
“There wasn’t anywhere he could hide over there, so he and his soldiers came here to get away from prosecution. They thought no one would expect them to be in Equestria. He fell right into our trap. When the time was right, I set up an ambush.
“Remember when I missed your birthday? In the middle of the night, we attacked them. We slaughtered them all. I killed him myself and several others. I have a huge part in this. I know it is all a ruse to start a war, but I gave it to them. I played right into their claws.”
The silence that followed was painful. Crystal didn’t say anything, nor did she weep or sniffle. I could feel her fierce stare against my back. It was unlikely she’d ever see me the same way again and I wasn’t ready to face that.
I licked my lips. “Right or wrong, retribution doesn’t come without consequence. It is time to go pay what is owed. I’m sorry, Crystal, I really am. If I could do it again, I’d do it differently. Not because I don’t believe he was a threat, but because I realize now what I’m doing to you. What I’ve done to you.
“It hasn’t been fair, even if you thought you knew what you were getting into. You’re a better wife than I deserve, so if you’re not here when I get back, I’ll understand.”
That was it, then. I gathered my father’s things and walked out of the bedroom and to the door. Just as I pulled it open it slammed shut under the glow of unicorn magic.
“You are not dismissed,” Crystal said, her voice tense and tight. “You’ll understand if I’m gone? Don’t you dare walk away from me, Silent Knight.”
My head ducked and I turned back to face her. “I have to go.”
“Oh, I’m certain the war can wait another hour. I am not done yet. Not by a long shot.” Her nostrils flared. “I don’t get it. This whole killing business is unnatural, but I guess I just have to accept it is part of who you are.”
I winced, wanting to look away but forcing myself not to. “It’s not—I don’t like it any more than you do.”
She snorted. “Fine, but it is still your business, and this is mine.” Crystal advanced on me and pushed my head up. Our eyes met, and she went on, “Every day you’re gone, I’m going to be sitting here waiting and worrying. Every day, I’m going to live in fear that I’ll get a letter saying you died because you couldn’t live with the idea of somepony else dying for you.
“Go to your stupid war, but just know that I won’t be gone. I won’t walk away. I’ll be right here, Silent Knight. I’ll be right here waiting. Waiting on you. So every day, you get to live with that.”
“Alright.” The word was barely a whisper. I’d never felt so much shame before. The battlefield seemed suddenly preferable.
“Alright,” she repeated and slipped her forehooves around me. “Come home safe. I nearly lost you to this once. Don’t do that to me again.”
I embraced her, tighter than I meant to. “I won’t make a promise I don’t know that I can keep, but I’ll be careful. So careful. I’m not going for some glorious death. I want to be with you, but this is something I have to do. It’s my penance.
“That might not be something you can understand and I am sorry. I love you, Crystal. I’m sorry that this is my job and who I am… but it is who I am.”
The mare melted against me and I felt tears wet my coat. “I know… I’ve always known. I’ll just have to hope that you find a way through it. I love you, too.”
We lingered there together in each other’s forehooves. It felt like goodbye. It might have been goodbye. Reluctantly, I pulled away. “Until next time, Mrs. Wishes.”
She looked up at me through her tears. “Until next time, Mr. Knight.”
With little more than a nod, we parted ways. Staying longer would have been too painful. I left our quarters feeling lower than ever. Jet Set had warned me that marriage was a commitment.
It was something I understood, but I’d always been overcommitted. Committed to my father’s ideals, committed to the Guard, committed to Princess Luna, committed to my subordinates, and, last of all, committed to my wife. I may not have been abusive or cruel like Stratus Knight but, in the end, I’d turned out to be just like him where it counted: I always put duty first.
I am Silent Knight and I am a soldier. On my honor as a pony, I swore to uphold the laws of our kingdom and protect the weak. On my honor as a house guard, I swore to protect Princess Luna against threats both external and internal and to gladly lay down my life so that she may live. On my honor as an officer, I swore to act in a way that protects those under my command and ensure they come home safely.
I will live up to those commitments but, on my honor as a husband, I will do whatever it takes and go to any lengths to ensure I come home safely to my wife. Not for me. For her. She’s earned that much. She deserves a pony that will do that for her, and that is the pony I will become.
I want to thank you all for reading and enjoy Secrets of a Royal Guard. This was a big change for me compared to Memoirs. It was a challenge to portray Silent Knight with PTSD and I hope at least I did it a little justice. This was also a slightly different direction than the first story.
It has been a fun ride for sure and I've enjoyed weaving in all of the elements from the overarching plot that we'll be seeing in Trials of a Royal Guard. There are some mysteries that will finally be solved. You can count on that!
Much like Secrets was a departure from Memoirs, Trials will be a departure from both as I try something a little different again.
Your comments, support, readership, and interactions have been a huge motivator for me and I truly do appreciate you all! This is, without a doubt, the most successful writing project I've ever done.
I look forwards to continuing this journey with you and I'd like to leave you with a slideshow that Crystal put together for the end of Secrets.
See you all again soon!
If you are enjoying this story, please consider taking a look at Crystal and my's website QuillnBlade.com for extra content such as mini stories, Q&B AU wiki, and special rewards for the awesome folks who support our Patreon. We have monthly art give aways, a Q&B Discord RPG, a several other fun gifts for patrons.
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Oh, interesting, Silent Knight seeing his grandfather there too. There will obviously be more sparks between those two, I'm sure. I like what SK said about the mistakes ending at his generation, good on him. Good end to this story now to jump into the sequel!
I suppose Stratus' personality would indeed have been forged by his own father...
This epilogue really shows how Silent Knight is different from Memoires.
Congrats on having this and Trials of a Royal Guard in the feature box at the same time!
Much hype, such excite. Wow.
What's next? Having Memoirs featured At the same Time as well?
Congratulations Anzel, yet another very successful story. Love your writing
And damn, his grandfather. Hopefully, SK will stay professional.
36.media.tumblr.com/2469463d49c05ad9fe658ecfc01784cc/tumblr_mq32v37rTM1qmvcowo1_400.jpg
Ooooo, Crystal's grandparents' new airship. Nice inclusion of it as a transport and potentially more. Air superiority is important, probably even more so in a conflict where every opponent and many of the friendlies are individually flight capable.
What could possibly go wrong?
Heh, whoops. Turns out you aren't just another volunteer, Silent.
Very much not just another volunteer.
Oooo, field commission.
Oh my goodness, Silent's grandfather. I did not see that coming, but it makes sense as a possiblity.
On to the sequel, but probably after work since my lunch break is more or less over.
6985591 There will be lots and lots of foals! Crystal Knight, Velvet Knight, Azurite Knight, Winterspear Knight, Shining Knight, Knight Knight, Sunny Knight, Luna Knight! Knights until he runs out of names or stamina!
6985601 Clement seems to have had an effect on his family for sure.
6985602 Indeed! A big turn about.
6985606 Indeed... so much rage!
6985648
6985700 Ty :D
6985764 It should be good. I hope it will be good anyway!
6985766 Hmm... Memoirs Epilogue Epilogue... nah!
6985794 Thank you, thank you! Glad you're enjoying it all. We'll see how he deals with an older version of Stratus!
6985886 Exactly!
I really like the series but the setting of trials makes me nervous.
6986128 you're awfulsome. XD
Yay.
Another great story finished. Now to move on to Trials!
6989324 Yes it is! We're a huge fan :D
6989562 Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it ^_^
6995232 I thought so. My grandma talks about it just about every year when we go to South Carolina for vacation.
XD Have to say I spent quite a few sleepless nights poring through your story. Great work by the way looking forward to a few more with part two.
7002590 Thank you! I am really glad you enjoyed it :D I hope you like Trials!
PHEW!
Holy cow. Did you know, that seven days ago I saw the update for Trials, thought it looked interesting and clicked it? Then I saw it was a sequel, so I clicked the link to Secrets only to find out that too, was a sequel. Going all the back to Memoirs I spent the whole day reading it and got to chapter 30 before I decided to stop and tab over to this odd mention of a 'Companion chapter' that you brought up in a few times in the notes. Let me tell ya, Jack... this last week was spent reading all the way through while tabbing in between Wishes to insure I read it up till the Memoirs/Secrets chapter it was matched up with -AND- the plethora of side stories you two little devils wrote as they were mentioned throughout the main two stories.
My eyes are strained, my heartstrings are plucked. You both have my complete attention with likes and faves for both Hopes/Trials before I've even read either first chapter simply because your previous works shown there was no need for hesitation or silent appraisal as to whether either would earn it. It is simply a given.
Reading these stories and allowing myself to get drawn into this universe has given me a nice look into their lives and how they both are different from each other. Taking everything in, characters and all, these stories make me feel that we have two main protagonists, each with their own story to tell. They start apart and bring the reader in with the introduction of who they are, what they want and how they go about their lives getting it. Two separate stories that overtime start to drift closer and closer together until they intersect. The impact they have on the other is minimal at first and they casually drift away again in their own pursuits. In such time we come to meet those that are close to them and fill the roles of our supporting cast, some of which we are granted a small look into their lives and the effect CW and SK had upon them.
The story continue onward and the times they intersected each other started to grow, as well as the impact the other was starting to have upon the other until tragedy struck and fate decided to entwine their paths together for a long amount of time and the two started to find comfort in each other until it truly bloomed into something great, something as awe-inspiring as love. Now we have two stories interlocked as one, told through the eyes of our two protagonists. The comfort and joy they find in each other, their escape from the sorrow, the anger, the indecision and the trepidation. Their joy and affection a welcome reprieve from conflict, only to realize they're in the Eye of the Storm.
Finally, here we are. Mistakes of the past and conflicts unresolved have wrenched their paths apart and thrown them to opposite ends of the planet, leaving them to struggle and cling to the hope of one day intersecting and entwining their paths in such a way that nothing short of divine intervention could -ever- unravel them again!
So to that I say, thank you. Thank you to the both of you for writing these stories. Thank you for providing such a touching story told through many perspectives. I eagerly await to see how it all plays out.
7007375 Right off the bat I'd just like to say thank you. Truly, thank you. It is always wonderful to receive a comment of praise but to have one go to the length to explain your view and understanding of the stories and how they made you feel is uncommon. It made my day. You've really captured what we worked so hard and tried to do.
I'm really glad you've enjoyed yourself and I'm sorry for of the eye strain. This project is our passion and hobby so we've been pouring a lot of free time into it. At least now you're caught up! This response feels so short by comparison to the effort you put in but I am truly very appreciative!
7013955
It may have already happened in the story; but it's a spoiler to new readers or people that haven't read as far.
7007375 You and I both. Can't wait to begin Trials of a Royal Guard.
I'm caught up on Trials and Crystal's Hopes but I somehow missed this chapter. Not sure how I managed that.
7055413 Me too. Helps clear up some major points of confusion though!
7055732 I wasn't even confused by anything. Trials starts with Silent en route to the Griffon City, and I never thought that I was missing anything. I didn't catch that Silent got promoted.
Hoo-boy. I can already tell I ain't going to like grandaddy Knight.
Super excited to get to reading Trials!
Holy shit.
*begins reading voraciously*
7360023 Oh I think we ALL know the answer to that.
There is only one Red Dawn.
7360794 Just give me a watch if you mean that. And pray to the One God that I'll soon find the drive to write stuff.
...well. There goes my heart. Thanks?
I was lucky enough to decide to buy a physical copy of "Memoirs of a Royal Guard" before I'd even READ the fic, and I am so, so happy I did. The first story was good, but this one gets DEEP. Like, it's kind of painful, in places, but also so uplifting in others! Silent Knight makes contact with the nox ponies at the start of the story, but that actually winds up being sort of a secondary plot. Far more important is his work towards revenge on the griffin that killed so many members of his squad, and the emotional fallout after, as he recognizes the killing was more for revenge than for duty. Tied up in that is his developing relationship with Crystal Wishes, and their continuous negotiations about their future together, with him still performing the duties of a royal guard, and all the sacrifices in time and perhaps even in body that will require
It's incredible. Is Anzel in the military? Is he guarding the freaking Queen of England? Because this seems like such a realistic fic. If you like anything military, this is probably going to be perfect for you. Hell, I'm not into the military, and it was still GREAT! When Anzel decides to release book 2, I am SO buying a copy! :D
If you like audiobooks, Scarlett Blade does a GREAT set for the entire series. I can't wait until book 3 is finished, so I can dive right in!
7398228
Did you just reply to my post from over a year ago? Uh, thank you I guess, but I already read everything Crystal has written. So I know it's worth it.
Whooo! YES! Done with this one. Again finished within a week. Since im still reading Trials i will not continue on to that one, instead im gonna go read Azurite's story now.
7606028 yup
The problem is "Who decides who is competent?" Too many people were deciding "My friend is the only competent one & that is why he charges 3 times what the other guy does". The recommended solution is flat fees, not cost+ & hold contractors to bid with criminal penalties for failing to meet specified goals. But, contractors make campaign contributions & the legislature isn't inconvenienced, so....
I remember Mark Russell said. "In civilian life if you have a problem, you define then problem, you consider possible solutions, you pick the best one, you implement it. A, B, C, D. In the government it's A, B, 7, 12, X, Y, Z, a little more A for the lobbyists, 2 Apples, and a Zebra. This drives civilians crazy."
7825346 You're probably not going to want to read Trials then ;)
Holy Sh**! What an end for an amazing story.
I didn't expect so see Silent's grandfarther there.
Also, when the war is over:
7847413 Thank you ^_^ I'm glad you enjoyed it!
7903015
* because you guys are amazing. i love the universe you have created and its just soo easy to read, practically reads itself. fantastic stuff each and every chapter, i am thoroughly addicted. 
wow, i never thought you or anzel would reply. but yeah, since you are here would you mind if i did a really big *SQUEE
7903370
And here I felt bad for neither of us responding for a few days.
*picks up expectation bar and sets it lower*
*still trips over it anyway*
(I'm glad you like our stories that much!! Thank you!
)
7906467
its okay. i know how it is. you just want to check up on something, get some work done or whatever, log in and be flooded with comments. it can be overwhelming and i certainly ignore most if not all of it.
thank you for writing it. believe it or not it is helping me get out of my shell and tease my friends and co-workers like they do in the stories. i just wish the dating in real life part could be as simple as you make it sound. i guess thats why i like it soo much, its a really fun world you can jump into and forget about your life for a little bit.
Love the story. It's even given me some ideas. I hereby give this a an official TriBy (I made that up)
Wow even in 1,573 words you topped it. If you anyone thinks I'm not going to look at any other of your stories, SK related or not, they're very much mistaken. Thank you for this fine piece of work.
6985606
Damm straight.
7984896 hum tell her to come and take it from me. I will just turn the pink loos on her.
7997931 it's my opinion as a member of a family who has served in every war my country has been in and lost members in most of them that it is better in that situation to break off the engagement until after he returns specifically for the reason that he could die. Which would be worse? Having your fiance break it off until their service is over or to have your spouce die in combat?
Oooo now that is a twist I definitely did not expect
I hope it does not lower morale too much. But, an awesome ending needs an awesome song!
8250088
In contemporary America, probably a little off. Although 18 year olds can date 20 year olds without too much of a sideways look.
The Q&B AU is a bit more like 30s America. We also don't view pony growth as directly parallel to humans. You'll notice that in none of my stories or Crystal's do they ever give how old they are specifically. We did that because if we said "Crystal is 16" it sets all kind of expectations.
Generally speaking, not all ponies go to "high school." In Q&B high school is part our high school and part community college. So, from a pony perspective, no, this isn't that abnormal.
8250658
I suppose, but military guys dating high school girls still tends to get looked at like there's something sketchy going on.
Anyway, great story. I'll try to leave more comments (and not just the occasional nitpick) on the sequel.