Camaraderie is Sorcery

by FireOfTheNorth

Chapter 0:6 - Disgrace

Chapter 0:6 – Disgrace
Year 988 of the 4^th Age

“Unacceptable!I will not stand for this injustice!” the rust-colored pegasus said passionately as he slammed a hoof down on the table, causing the nearby inkpot to wobble dangerously until it was steadied by the wing of the pony he was addressing, “She cannot be allowed to become a Hunter!”

The protesting pegasus was Deadshot, captain of the Wonderbolts. His leather armor, like that of the other members of his order, had once been dyed sky blue, but battle and the spilling of blood, both monstrous and equine, had stained and faded it until much of the former glory in the color had diminished. The ornate breastplate fastened to his chest still shone, though only because it was worn for strictly ornamental use, never in battle where the added weight would slow the Hunter down. Deadshot had seen plenty of battles; teeth of some of his fallen foes were displayed as trophies on the bands that tied his black mane and tail back into buns. A knife was attached to each of his forelegs, a short sword hung at his side, and a bow was slung across his back, under a worn and ragged cape. At his side and a few steps back stood his young lieutenant, Spitfire, observing her captain without speaking up herself. The Wonderbolt captain was an imposing and dangerous pony, but the pegasus he was addressing was no pushover either.

“It is no business of the Wonderbolts what it is I will do with the members of my order,” she said, setting down her quill as she paused writing her orders, “The last time I checked, it was Maren, not Deadshot who was grandmaster of the Order of the Sparrow.”

During her many years as a Hunter in the Order of the Raven, Maren had built up a reputation as a ruthless and uncompromising warrior. Then, as an instructor in the Order of the Sparrow, she’d distinguished herself by turning out the most finely trained recruits to the point that other orders specifically requested Hunters trained by Maren, and the Order had standardized her training methods. The Council on Hunter Training, a small group of grandmasters from the different Hunter orders that made decisions regarding recruits, had rewarded her with the position of Grandmaster of the Order of the Sparrow. Now quite elderly, Maren was in no fit shape to fight most monsters, but would still do so if it meant protecting her students, even if her opponents were ponies, not monsters.

“A fine job you’ve done as grandmaster,” Deadshot scoffed, “One recruit missing, another dead; the Council will call for your resignation and exile if you don’t pass judgement.”

“The Council decides judgement in situations like this, and as I am the only member present currently, I am the Council, and my judgement is the Council’s judgement,” Maren said as she gestured to all the empty chairs around the table, “You look upon this filly and see only a delinquent—as if you were as valorous in your youth as you act—but I see the potential to be a truly great Hunter. The agility, ferociousness, and instinct she’s displayed since the incident make me believe that it would be in the interest of all that she becomes a Hunter.”

“She killed another recruit!” Deadshot said as he slammed a hoof on the table again, “She should be executed, not rewarded! At the very least, you must exile her so that she never becomes a Hunter.”

“Must I?” Maren said, raising an eyebrow, “No, I don’t think I must. Deaths of recruits in Cloudsdale are nothing new, but this act—as you’ve so passionately said—will not go unanswered. If she survives the Changes, she will be sent to the Order of the Magpie.”

“The Magpie?” Deadshot laughed, “If you truly have high hopes for this foal, why send her there? Exile might be a kinder option.”

“I have made my decision,” Grandmaster Maren said firmly as stood and smoothed down her robes, “As you can see, she will not be rewarded with a position in a reputable order for her actions, but she will become a Hunter. This compromise may not be enough to please you, but it will satisfy the Council, and their opinions are the ones that matter in the situation. If young Rainbow Dash truly has the potential I believe she does, then she will have no trouble surviving in the Order of the Magpie and finding her way to better things, perhaps even, one day, to your position.”