Second Offensive: 2 - Bleeding Earth, Part 1/2
Hello, faithful readers of this growing opus. This is Queen Scylla of the Lepidoptes Changeling Hive writing to you once more. ‘Tis a great pleasure to inform all who follow this account that, for the first time ever, an entry of mine does not have to be smuggled into Equestria as I have arrived in the pony nation for a state visit.
‘Tis a time both exciting and nerve-wracking for all concerned, but I am pleased to report we have managed to arrive at Canterlot with only a few ruffled feathers, speaking figuratively for the most part. ‘Tis understandable that my arrival has produced anxiety on both sides, though I do hope Princess Celestia will forgive me for finding a bit of amusement in having my agents test her security, even if her EIS did not. Blame my heritage if you must, but for what ‘tis worth, we found it satisfactory.
Rest assured, our visit was arranged well in advance, though kept confidential in the beginning to avoid major fanfare and the potential for treachery, which even this long after the war must be taken into account. I have been accompanied by several of my most trusted advisors, one of whom shall be contributing to this story later.
Thanks in part to magical methods of communication, our visit was negotiated between myself, Princess Celestia, and a retinue of officials both pony and gryphon, who eventually agreed on a set date. Of course, certain groups were informed as well, among them being those in charge of the security. We have docked my personal transport at an airship harbor close to the palace, where ‘tis under the watch of the Equestrians.
Some of my advisors were not as keen to be so open about our arrival, but they understood the reasoning and have kept their protests to a minimum. In truth, for as isolated as we have been, ‘tis the first time I have ever been able to visit any foreign sovereign and marks what I hope is an important turning point in our relations with the outside world.
Canterlot’s reception of us has been more or less welcoming, though ‘tis clear some of the PSD and military officials are not as… receptive to our presence as I might have hoped. Again, I can understand, especially after the recent coup attempt.
Though presentations, parades and several public speeches are assuredly on the schedule, Princess Celestia herself has made sure to include a few private meetings between us, and I am admittedly a bit nervous to speak to one who I grew up admiring in my youth.
She is far from the only important figure I am meeting, however, as Ambassador Kaval has also had the chance to at least introduce himself to me in person. We discussed matters that I had spoken of in one of our previous contributions to this story, ending with him delivering some of the information we sought. The greater details of this are being divulged to him as well as myself by the Kingdom’s intelligence, though ‘twould seem other matters are currently taking precedence for him at the moment.
Lycovenato, although reluctant to do so at first, has decided to accompany me on my visit to Canterlot as well. He has not explained his reasons yet, but I suspect he will make it known in time.
Methinks that will have to be all for now. As Captain Firefly is not immediately available due to familial obligations, I have delivered this chapter to the Princess instead, who has promised ‘twill be published in its entirety. She assures me that Firefly will return in time for the last two days of my weeklong stay, and that the three of us will have a private luncheon in the gardens, along with a few of our closest friends and advisors. She has been very gracious to me, and I find myself marveling at being able to walk alongside her as an equal, with no disguise.
But such sentiments are not important right now. So, without further delay, I give you our story of my Hive’s exodus from the Imperial capital of Mosclaw.
—Queen Scylla Lepidoptes IV
Sovereign of the Lepidoptes Hive
Gryphon Empire - Mosclaw
Location Undisclosed
September 5th, 1139 AC (Year 305 of of Her Majesty Lepidoptes IV’s Reign)
2345 hours
Barely an hour had passed since I had retired to my personal chambers for the evening when an urgent rapping at my door awoke me from my sleep. I could immediately sense the frantic, barely restrained emotions from the two changelings on the other side of the heavy iron doors, and knew it boded ill.
I got out of my bed and donned a robe before calling to whoever awaited outside. “Enter.”
The doors swung open, perchance a little too quickly, as Rachnia Silkweave, the Captain of the Royal Guard, as well as the unassuming form of Commander Borer, the head of the Hive’s Intelligence Division, walked in with atypical haste. Both offered hurried bows which I returned with a dip of my head. “Captain Silkweave, Commander Borer… what brings you to my chambers at this hour?” I asked in a calm tone, even as I feared I knew the answer.
“Apologies for disturbing your rest, My Queen,” Borer began, producing a scroll with her magic that she had been carrying in a saddle bag. “But… well, methinks we’ve received some rather dire news.”
I remained silent, waiting for her to explain as she floated the scroll to me.
‘Twas Rachnia, however, who continued. “Two of our contacts have not reported in at their scheduled times. ‘Tis assuredly not a coincidence as they were two of our most trusted agents but are now nearly five hours overdue.”
“Which agents?” I asked, studying the contents of the scroll. A chill crept down my spine as I began reading, finding it detailed a lack of communication preceded by increasingly ominous reporting for the past few days from the missing agents.
“Agents Whisper and Pedipalp,” Borer replied, her tone betraying hints of unease. “Whisper was stationed as a Raven acolyte for the past year and was to report in earlier this evening. She has yet to do so, even though she has never once missed a check-in before this.”
“And Pedipalp?” I asked, stopping as I read the very same information regarding Whisper that Borer had given me. “I believe he was deep within the Owls’ research ranks, correct?”
The dim lighting may have contributed to Borer’s expression, but a shadow seemed to pass over her face. “Our last report from him arrived this morning. He stated that he suspected his cover was compromised, but was already making efforts to cover his tracks.”
My unease grew, but I held back the frown that threatened to cross my lips. “I see…”
“And there is more, My Queen. We also received word from the entry Guard. They reported much higher numbers of gryphons sniffing around the neighborhood. They bear no uniforms or markings, but their focused manner and calm but intentful emotions suggest Ravens. Our lookouts sighted at least twelve within the past twenty minutes’ time, and one was spotted sitting by a window on the other end of the street for almost six hours.”
The two were quiet afterwards as I continued to study the scroll. Agent Whisper was a young infiltrator among her peers, but she was good at holding a cover and could speak Aeric better than myself. Whilst ‘twas unlikely, methinks ‘twasn’t unfathomable to believe she may have been found out.
Pedipalp, however… ‘twas certain he was one of our finest. He was a twelve-year veteran and 'was practically a gryphon in all but blood and bone with how well he blended in. For him to be found…
“‘Twould seem that our hive’s location is compromised and is in imminent danger of being breached. Which could also mean that the gryphons have found an effective method for spotting our agents and shedding our covers,” I realized with a sinking heart, speaking quietly enough so my voice did not carry out into the hall beyond my chambers. “Then ‘tis certain we can wait no longer. Inform the Royal Guard to escalate to Code: Burrow. I want every patrol to be in pairs at all times, and reporting every five minutes over encrypted gem frequency Theta.”
“It shall be done, My Queen,” Rachnia replied with a bow, and quickly made her way out the door to carry out my orders. Borer turned to watch Rachnia leave, then back to me. She said nothing, but her eyes looked at me with barely contained worry. Borer was a brilliant tactician and had a knack for gathering intelligence, but she was also rather new to her position, having just taken over after her predecessor and mentor had passed away only a year ago, succumbing to old age.
“Commander, be prepared to initiate Code: Break within an hour. Standard procedure already states that Code: Break is to be readied at a moment’s notice when Code: Burrow is put into effect, so the Guard must be prepared. I want all civilians making immediate evacuation preparations and for all critical intelligence documentation to be gathered up and secured for transport. Anything that cannot be gathered quickly is to be destroyed.”
“It will be done. And the Silencers on duty…?” Borer asked, standing a little taller. As the military head directly in charge of the Intelligence Division, she was also responsible for commanding my military’s elite task force when I myself could not.
I held back an exhale. “‘Tis best to assume that we’ll have uninvited guests baring daggers to our throats, and quite soon. Send out the call for agents still out in the field to rendezvous at the Hive’s designated relocation point. We were already planning to be gone within two weeks’ time. We’ll simply need to accelerate our plans, ‘twould seem.”
“As you command, My Queen.” Borer bowed, then rose. “There… is one more detail I feel is worth mentioning, My Queen. Forgive the break in protocol, but I had already informed Rachnia about this. I felt ‘twas urgent she be made aware, given her command of our Guard.”
I nodded sagely. “Of course, Commander, I trust your judgment. What was this detail you wish me to know of?”
Borer’s wings buzzed in agitation. “Before she went dark, Agent Whisper noted a marked increase in close-quarter exercises by Ravens around the Office of Owl’s headquarters in the capital. They didn’t carry the standard-issue equipment during the fights, however—they were practicing hallway and room-clearing tactics with some new objects we hadn’t seen before.
“Moreover, they were drilling as larger units, not their typical smaller teams of three or seven. Not unlike a decade or turma of Talons would. Strength in numbers, to put it simply.”
“I see…” That was rather odd for the Ravens, but not too hard to believe. The Empire did hold the ideal of military discipline and working together highly in all its military forces, after all. “Did she elaborate at all on this information?”
“No, unfortunately, she did not, My Queen. She seemed to be in a hurry to get this information to us judging by the state of her writing on the scroll. However—she mentioned a week earlier in a report that there was a concerning increase in explosive and other gem production, and that the Owls were working on a project in their laboratories whose nature she could not determine,” Borer replied.
“We did not think anything of it at the time other than they were stepping up materiel manufacturing for the war effort, but now methinks it may have had a different purpose entirely. Combined with the increase in Imperial agents outside, the implications of this news are as numerous as they are worrisome.”
I frowned but nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you, Commander. ‘Twould seem our time grows short, then. See to your instructions and then report to me in the throne room at 0030 hours. I will have messages sent to all of the council heads to do likewise.”
“By your command, My Queen.” She bowed low.
As Borer left, I reached out to the mental link between myself and Lycovenato and projected my thoughts. Lycovenato? Can you hear me?
There was a short pause followed by a faint pulse of alertness that I sensed as my signal crossed the large distance to him, and then back. Yes, My Queen. I am making good time. I crossed the Delamare yesterday and am continuing my course to Detrot now. The gryphons have launched a fresh offensive, to the detriment of the ponies but to my benefit, as both sides are now occupied with each other and not looking for me.
Excellent. Continue to carry out the plan. But all is not well. I feel that I must inform you that… an incident has arisen in Mosclaw.
There was a faint tremor of concern. An incident, My Queen?
Correct. ‘Tis quite possible we are found out, and we are commencing operations for Code: Burrow at this very moment.
Code Burrow?! Lycovenato couldn’t contain his worry now, his emotions leaking into his thoughts. Then the Hive is evacuating already? But I had thought—
Peace, Lycovenato. I channeled what I hoped was a calming tone to him. The last thing I needed was for one of my most important field operatives to become distracted or worried. For now, ‘tis only a precaution, but yes, we are advancing our departure. Within four hours at most, we should have the hive completely evacuated and all necessary documents secured or destroyed. We are fortunate enough to have the escape tunnel completed as of yesterday morning, thank the Hive Mother. The Empire’s capital has grown too dangerous to remain in, however.
There was a long pause, but I could feel the nagging concern from Lycovenato’s thoughts tickling the edges of my senses. I… I understand, My Queen. I shall continue as planned.
Wonderful. Do inform me before your arrival to Detrot, however. These are ever-changing times for intelligence, and if anything new comes to my attention that may affect you, it will be crucial that you know before settling in amongst the Equestrians.
There was a long sigh from him, but he seemed convinced enough. Yes, My Queen. But please… see to your own safety and that of the Hive!
I will do everything in my power to extract us safely, my changeling. I will contact you again when the operation is complete. Until then, see to your own safety as well, I answered. With his final mental acknowledgement, the connection faded to the back of my mind once more.
I closed my eyes and took five minutes, slowly breathing in and out as I focused on the flow of my internal magicks. After achieving some degree of calm from my meditative exercise, I set about cleaning up and making myself presentable for an impromptu meeting with my Hive’s Supreme Council.
When I departed, ‘twas with a lingering and slightly wistful look around. For ‘twas then I realized that with our evacuation imminent, I might never see the inside of my personal chambers again.
Lepidoptes Hive Throne Room
Location Undisclosed
September 6th, 1139 AC (Year 305 of of Her Majesty Lepidoptes IV’s Reign)
0039 hours
The Supreme Council was gathered before me in short order as I looked upon each of the fourteen members, though never had the matters discussed been so urgent or grave. Borer and Rachnia Silkweave, being the Heads of Intelligence and Security respectively, were of course present. The other twelve members looked to be in varying states of wakefulness, but if any had complaints about being awakened at such an hour, they did not voice them.
I quickly shared what information I had been given by Borer and Rachnia, and any signs of drowsiness from my councilors quickly vanished as they realized the gravity of our situation.
“So, as you see, ‘tis quite possible our location has been compromised, and we must put in motion immediately our plans to evacuate the hive. The Guard has already been alerted. We must now gather all civilians and proceed with getting them out as safely and quickly as possible. All military are to be divided into two groups—one to secure and patrol the tunnels whilst evacuations take place, and the other to help civilians with the actual evacuation.”
I next turned to an elderly male who was not just one of my most trusted advisors, but one of my oldest friends. “Councilor Katid, you are to follow the plans as per Captain Rachnia’s instructions. But as our time runs short, see to it that only the barest of essentials are taken by civilians. Anything less than absolutely necessary is to be destroyed. Minutes matter, and we cannot afford our Hive to linger any longer than needed.”
Katid gave a bow, his graying chitin making him appear pale; his pallor only compounding his worried expression. “Understood, My Queen,” he replied as Rachnia merely bowed her head in acknowledgment.
“Commander Borer, gather up all Silencers and divide them into groups to assist patrols and civilian evacuation. You know their capabilities as well as I do, so I will trust you in this task. In the event of an attack, it falls upon them to hold off our pursuers and buy time for the Hive’s escape.”
“Yes, My Queen,” she replied, but then a new voice spoke up.
“My Queen…”
I turned to see the soft-spoken Head of Magic and Technology, Hemola. She was a mother of three and middle-aged. Methinks she had done wonders to expand our hive safely and had been critical in helping advance our agents’ abilities to blend in both physically and magically with gryphon-kind over the past decade.
“Yes, Doctor Hemola?”
She adjusted the gryphon-made spectacles resting on her muzzle, “M-my apologies for interrupting, but… what of the main laboratory? We were scheduled to move most of our equipment before the planned evacuation date, not now. Some of the tools and assets we have are irreplaceable, at least in the short term. Their loss ‘twould set us back months, even years, were we to destroy or abandon them.”
“I will send you over several crates of storage gems, Doctor,” spoke the monotone voice of Antenne, the no-nonsense head of Public Works. “We’ve kept a large stock of them for this very reason, after all.”
Hemola visibly relaxed at the news. “Thank you.”
“But that said, our time grows short, Doctor. If it cannot be stowed before the evacuation sounds, then it must be destroyed lest the gryphons recreate our research or use it to learn more about us,” I reminded her.
A few more minutes of similar exchanges were made, but most were settled quickly in part from extensive pre-planning for this very evacuation. After fifteen minutes’ time, I called an end to the meeting with a promise that I would assist in every way I could to ensure our Hive was safe.
As soon as I was alone once more, I stared at the twin streams of water that lined either side of the pathway to my throne and towards the entrance. Though I projected a calm air, ‘twould be a lie to say I was not scared. Not for myself, but for my Hive. For my children and family.
Plexippa was not the only one of my offspring to serve in the military; several now served in the Guard. Several others were not even at the Hive presently, which gave me a mixture of relief and anxiety. Were they safe, I wondered? Were their identities known? Would the gryphons spare extra effort to hunt them down for their relation to me, in hopes of using them as hostages to force my surrender?
I knew not the answer to that question, or their status, as reports and updates could only travel so fast without compromising our courier routes. Would they be able to reach the rendezvous or would they somehow not be made aware of this sudden turn of events before ‘twas too late?
As I thought of this, ‘twas important to remind myself of two things that brought me some degree of comfort. Firstly, and much like when my daughter had managed to deliver the crucial information of the gryphons’ plans to invade, we were given advance warning. Whilst her efforts had bought the Equestrians only a few scant hours, it had allowed them to sound the alarm and forced the gryphons to attack before they were ready, giving them a chance.
We now found ourselves in a similar situation, as our lookouts had spotted the Owl operatives and Ravens closing on our location. ‘Twas no doubt in my mind that they were readying to storm us; that before the sun rose we would be facing gryphon forces. That we had some advance notice was invaluable, and mayhap even enough given our extensive contingency plans.
For ‘tis certain ‘twould all have been for naught had we not planned ahead. Councilor Antenne had been the one to rush the excavation of the main escape tunnel, completing it well ahead of schedule, and despite some protesting from his peers, ‘twould appear he was now looking to be in the right with his pushing of deadlines. I mentally patted myself on the back for offering him the title of Head of Public Works, despite his rather serious attitude and lack of empathy in most cases.
Shortly after the meeting with the Supreme Council had ended, I found myself standing at the entrance of the evacuation tunnel, providing what I hoped was a comforting presence to the civilians and younglings who were abruptly being ushered out of their homes, with little time to prepare and few possessions to keep. Whilst I had hoped to provide actual help with moving of needed supplies, the evacuation team leads had assured me they were capable of doing so without my assistance, though they were grateful for the offer. I sensed that, deep down, they were trying to maintain a sense of composure for my benefit as well as their own.
And so I found myself, two hours into the evacuation effort, standing and offering comforting words to those who shared their worries and concerns with me. From younglings barely old enough to talk to elders who could barely walk or fly without assistance, I provided them with what emotional support I could, opening myself to their fears and sharing in their troubles whilst bolstering them with my own determination and willpower.
As I did so, I couldn’t help but wonder if ‘twas what Celestia herself was doing half a world away in Canterlot, trying to reassure her subjects even as myriad threats closed in around her. I wondered what she would do in my place, and I even imagined one day meeting her and sharing stories of how we managed our respective kingdoms on the first few frantic days of war.
I barely dared hope that one day ‘twould actually come true, but it did, and as of this writing, we did indeed share war stories over a pot of exquisite tea and several games of chess.
In truth, I had to do very little except simply be there. And for it, I soon found myself at something akin to peace, watching my hive working as one to ensure the safety of its members. Watching as all our careful planning and the spirit of Hive fellowship I had so carefully nurtured all those years finally paid off.
‘Tis worth noting that we were perchance smaller than most hives, but I liked to believe our smaller size made us more tightly knit. In my eyes, I saw my changelings not just as my subjects, but as my family. ‘Tis an inevitability when you are a changeling queen, I believe. My mother and my grandmother before me shared a similar view, so ‘tis certain I have them to thank for seeing my Hive as such. Whilst only some changelings were my actual children and relatives, to me, every changeling carried with them a much deeper connection that overshadowed family trees and bloodlines.
And ‘twas because of that very same connection that what transpired a few short hours into the sixteenth day of September brought me and my hive such suffering.
Lepidoptes Hive Evacuation Tunnel
Location Undisclosed
September 6th, 1139 AC (Year 305 of of Her Majesty Lepidoptes IV’s Reign)
0310 hours
To this day, I am unsure what caught my attention first. Perchance ‘twas the sudden, sharp spike in magic or the faint vibrations I felt run through my bones, but I felt a sudden sense of dread run through me as I turned back towards the general direction of the Hive’s main entrance.
Almost immediately after, the faint crackling of a communication gem positioned over my ears drew my attention. “Alert! This is Sixth Squad; confirmed gryphon presence at the main entrance, repeat, confirmed gryphon presence—” The communications were abruptly cut off, and I could feel the telltale ripple of a spell being cast. A communications disruption spell? A magic negation spell?
“Sixth Squad, respond!” called out Captain Rachnia on the crystal frequency. “Sixth Squad, do you copy?” No response. “All squads, be advised of possible Magus Knights amongst gryphon forces! Switch to encrypted frequency Io and maintain communications!”
I turned to face away from the still-evacuating civilians and spoke clearly whilst trying to keep my voice from carrying to the evacuees. “Captain Rachnia, gryphon attack confirmed. Code: Break is in effect. Proceed with lockdown of all non-essential tunnels immediately and defend the remainder in staged withdrawals until evacuation complete.”
“Of course, My Queen,” Rachnia replied dutifully. “Tenth and Eleventh Squads, regroup and proceed to phase two stations immediately. Prepare for close-quarters engagement! First Squad, advance to Sixth’s last position and assist as needed. All other squads, stand by.”
There was a brief pause before a new voice was heard. “Silencer groups Sigma and Kage, provide battle support to Squads Sixth, Fifth, Tenth, and Eleventh. Delta, Nova, Phi, and Rai, engage with phase one to flank the enemy forces.” Borer’s instructions were quick to follow Rachnia’s, her commanding tone followed by the quick affirmatives of the Silencer squad leaders.
I half-listened as Rachnia, Borer, and the commanding officers’ voices filled the frequency, speaking as an organized barrage of commands and feedback. Several of the evacuees must have also begun to pick up on the chatter, and a few of the Guards stationed nearby let off the faintest tremors of agitation.
“M-momma, did they say something about gryphons?”
“D-did anyone else feel that magic?”
“We’ll be fine, Her Majesty is here, and she’s more powerful than any Magus is…”
I let out a breath slowly and centered myself. I could conceal the information from them, yes. But mayhap ‘twas best to let my subjects know the severity of the situation. Ignorance might be bliss, ‘tis certainly true in cases, but knowledge was also power.
“My subjects, I have just been informed that the empire’s forces have breached the hive’s main entrance. Rest assured that we have prepared well for this day, and that the Royal Guard and Silencers will do all they can to ensure your safety.” I channeled my own feelings of determination and purpose among the changelings who looked to me.
“I understand many of you have family in the Guard. Do not undermine their efforts by panicking. We must remain calm, for the Empire seeks to catch us off-guard and throw us into chaos. ‘Tis the duty of all to remain level-headed and show them that the Lepidoptes Hive will not be so easily conquered!”
There were murmurs of agreement from my subjects, both civilian and military. Sensing that I had reached them, I continued. “As your Queen, I swear to all of you this,” I drew the curved longsword from my back and held it before me so that those listening could see. I stabbed into the ground with its tip whilst channeling my magic through the steel, drawing a line between myself and the tunnel leading back to the Hive where more civilians were continuing to flow out from. “As long as I draw breath, no gryphon shall pass this line!”
With my words having been said, I turned to face the tunnel leading back to the Hive and sheathed my blade to my back. The Guards stationed around the area took my silence as their cue to usher the civilians onward through the evacuation tunnel.
Whilst my words were sincere, ‘twas uncertain if there would be a point to me standing my ground by the time any gryphons reached that line I had drawn into the earth. I had faith in my Guards and Silencers, and we had plans in place to gradually retreat whilst slowing down the Imperial forces. By that point, all civilians should have been evacuated and all critical intelligence and resources would have been destroyed or transported out of the Hive.
Even so, I was the Queen, and ‘tis the duty of the Queen to protect her people. Unfortunately, by protecting my subjects, it meant that I could not protect those who fought on the frontlines. And as such, my perspective on the fight that took place is incredibly limited. I am therefore passing the quill to Captain Rachnia.
—Queen Scylla Lepidoptes IV
I thank you, My Queen, for granting me the chance to tell the tale of what became known to our Hive as ‘The Exodus Battle’.
Greetings, fair readers of all races. As I’m sure has been made apparent by Her Majesty, I am Rachnia Silkweave, Captain of the Royal Guard of the Lepidoptes Hive. Though my rank is now an emeritus one, as I have since retired and my days of donning scaled armor and wielding sword and spear are few. In fact, ‘tis certain that I now only wield pen and paper most days whilst instructing our new recruits.
For generations our kind had lived beneath Mosclaw, quietly existing beneath the notice of the Gryphon Empire. Whilst I had come to terms with the fact that I would be leaving the Hive in the weeks prior to the scheduled evacuation date, there were many who no doubt struggled leaving the place they were born and raised so abruptly. Mayhap we had grown too content in our home beneath the Empire’s notice, but ‘twas potentially to our great detriment now.
I had served in the Lepidoptes Royal Guard for nearly fifteen years at the time, and had been promoted to the Captain of the Guard a little less than four years prior to when the war broke out across Equestria.
Many might find an officer of my rank better suited giving orders from behind the lines than at their fore. ‘Tis true that a leader must be prepared to trust the fighting to their subordinates and put aside personal feelings in favor of gaining the needed outcome in battle.
Whilst ‘tis certainly what I did when the gryphons first broke through our entrance, I was soon forced to step forward and engage in combat as well—almost too soon. Whilst I still hold some echoes of anger for what had happened that day, I must give the gryphons their due credit—they adapted quickly and prepared for multiple scenarios, especially with regard to the Ravens.
I’m sure the Silencers who survived that day would agree even more strongly. They share a similarity to that of the Ravens, who are trained from the beginning to fight from the shadows, and their approach to a battle is a stark contrast to that of the Knights and Talons.
The Hive’s Guard fought as best they could in slowing the Empire’s elite, and I will hold to this belief until the day I die. However, were it not for the Silencers, the outcome would have been far more grim for us.
The details I will share now have been approved by Her Majesty and our Intelligence Division. If I am to be honest, I have quietly hoped since the day the war ended that we might be able to reach out more openly to the world at large. Perchance, through my words, I can safely share a bit of who we are beyond our stealth and secrecy.
—Captain Rachnia Silkweave
Captain of Royal Guard Emeritus
Lepidoptes Hive Guard Academy
Lepidoptes Hive
I paced behind the stone barrier that reached up just past my barrel, my eyes flitting periodically to the tunnel entrance beyond me. The increasingly urgent chatter between my officers filled my right ear, nestled snugly beneath my iron kabuto, or helmet as the Equestrian tongue translates. Were I to describe it, I would say that it shares many similarities to the armor of Neighpon. This is a common trait with much of the Lepidoptes’ hives culture; whilst we branched off from a much larger Hive generations prior, the greater Hive we were part of had origins in the Neighponese archipelago.
My musings were quickly interrupted, however, as I heard Queen Lepidoptes’ voice in my ear, her tone calm but commanding as befit a ruler who wished to project a reassuring air in a time of crisis. “Captain Rachnia, gryphon attack confirmed. Code: Break is in effect. As rehearsed, proceed with lockdown of all non-essential tunnels immediately and defend the remainder in staged withdrawals until evacuation complete.”
“Of course, My Queen,” I replied into the communication gem. I ran through the mental map in my mind of the route that my two patrolling squads were following, then continued. “Tenth and Eleventh Squads, regroup and proceed to phase two stations immediately. Prepare for close quarters engagement!” I felt a second ripple of magic run through the walls of the Hive and continued. “First Squad, advance to Sixth’s last position and assist as needed. All other squads, stand by.”
Borer, who stood a short distance behind me with a glowing gem to provide her with light to look over her own map layout, spoke up afterwards. “Silencer groups Sigma and Kage, provide battle support to Squads Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, and Eleventh. Groups Delta, Nova, Phi, and Rai, engage with phase one to flank the enemy forces. Priority targets are Magus and higher-ranked combatants.”
I turned to face Borer and sighed, “I don’t suppose any intel has been gathered on what we’re dealing with? Clearly Magus Knights at the very least.”
“Worse.” Borer frowned. “Judging by what we already know and the last reports from Pedipalp and Whisper, we’re facing Ravens. They’re well-trained in breach tactics and ‘tis certain they have at least a general idea of our capabilities and how to counter them. For the Owls would never send in their prized pets in such force without some degree of confidence… wait, hold on.”
She held a hoof to her left ear and paused to listen. Her expression turned grim as she whispered into the gem, “Are you certain?” Another pause, and she grimaced. “Chiton rot!” She swore, shuffling through her papers.
“What?” I asked the young commander, who I’d rarely heard utter such a severe oath.
“‘Twould seem the Ravens have just become the least of our issues. Two confirmed Talaeus were spotted approaching!”
“Talaeus?” I repeated, letting out a laugh despite the situation. “How flattering; ‘twould seem they’re taking us seriously!”
But Borer did not share my enthusiasm, shaking her head. “Silencers haven’t confirmed their identity, but the first is an earth gryphon wielding a single sword much larger than their standard issue scimitar and a buckler, and wearing an odd set of flight goggles—which is strange given an invasion of our hive would be a ground fight. The other possible Talaeus is what has me especially worried, though.”
“How so?”
Borer looked up from her papers and met my gaze, no humor in her expression or tone. “She carried both a sword and a staff on her back.”
“A Magus Knight Talaeus? And one with a sword?” I frowned. “The Empire doesn’t really have their mages engage in close combat, though. Which is a prerequisite for being able to join their most elite warriors!”
“Precisely,” Borer said with a grim nod, returning to her notes. “‘Twould seem she was wearing the same black armor but without the leggings or heavy pauldrons. It almost seemed like a lighter armor variant, from what I understand.” She sifted through a few more documents as she went on, “She had the black dye with red markings, though, and no respectable Talaeus would let some imposter wear their armor.” She stopped, her hoof tapping a section on a particular file that indicated a high profile individual judging by the red ink along the top of the paper. “Ah. Here…”
I walked over to her side and stared at a file that had a crude illustration of a gryphon eagless who couldn’t have seen more than twenty summers. “Would that be our mystery Talaeus?”
“Optio Camilea Aeylyn,” Borer said, reading the name on the dossier. “A daughter to a veteran Magus Knight sire. Her mother was a respected Fortis Knight Decurion before dying from illness some years back.” Borer’s expression darkened. “She joined the Magus Academy as soon as she reached the conscription age of 16, graduating in less than a year and then she shot through the ranks with incredible speed. And as for becoming a Talaeus, she apparently slew her predecessor in a duel she initiated!” she finished in disbelief.
My jaw fell open as well. “She killed a Talaeus? At her age? She looks like she’s barely molted her fledgling feathers in that portrait!” I protested.
“Yes, and she was apparently the result of quite some squabbling between the Magus Knights and the Talaeus; the former unwilling to let her go and the latter wanting her to begin her combat training under them immediately after the duel ended. What makes her unique is that she has a particular talent in combining her swordsgryphonship with magic. The duel was over in a matter of seconds after her opponent was… beheaded.” She let out a hum that almost sounded intrigued. “‘Twould seem she is a combat magic prodigy, then.”
Methinks that did not give me any reassurance. “So, might she be the one unleashing that magic we’ve been feeling?”
Borer again shook her head. “No, there are indeed other Magus Knights, but they’re not in the front lines with the rest of the enemy forces. They seem to be trying to suppress our communications and protective enchantments from the outside. We’ll therefore need—”
“Commander, this is Phi, do you copy?”
Borer dropped the dossier she had been reading and spoke into the gem whilst I pressed my own closer to my ear to listen. “Go ahead, Phi.”
“Commander, we have visual confirmation on Talaeus Camilea Aeylyn and Talaeus Vimal Talias as well as confirmation on Raven and Magus forces on the move. They are advancing on the Hive entrance, approaching in Century strength.”
“Understood, Phi. Proceed and engage hostiles.” Borer’s expression hardened. “Be advised, Taleus Camilea has extensive wind magic training and is proficient at close-quarters combat. Vamil Talias is a veteran swordsgryphon and should be be engaged only by our most experienced Silencers when possible.”
“Copy that, Commander. Engaging the enemy!”
Borer slumped a bit and massaged a temple. “Talaeus. How? The Owls must be doing this with the Empress’ permission, for I see no other way they’d be approved to send in this many Ravens and Magus along with two of their elite warriors!”
“We’re not looking for a victory, Commander. We’re trying to stall them and buy the Hive time,” I reminded her.
“I’m aware of that,” Borer snapped, only to frown. “Forgive me. I… just…”
I placed a hoof on her shoulder, “Don’t get overwhelmed, Commander. You’re not fighting this by yourself, after all. Trust in your Silencers as I trust in my Guard.”
“Methinks I know you are right, but… this is the first time I’m sending changelings into actual battle! ‘Tis certain that I have never directed my subordinates to openly engage in mortal combat… and certainly not against Talaeus!”
I allowed myself a chuckle. “A fair point, but this only means that the Owls, at least, have finally acknowledged that we are a worthy threat. ‘Tis in fact the highest of compliments,” I suggested with a wry grin.
But far from flattered, Borer’s expression soured. “You wouldst forgive me for not sharing in your enthusiasm, Captain. I much prefer to win my battles without fighting.”
“‘Tis a good quality for a changeling to have, too,” I agreed. “However… I am a Guard. ‘We are the shield that hides the dagger’.”
Borer sighed heavily and recited in turn, “‘And we are the shadow that wields the dagger.’”
“For the Hive and the Queen,” I said with a dip of the head.
“For the Queen and the Hive,” Borer replied as the faint sounds of fighting erupted in the tunnels ahead of us.
The Oath of the Shield and Shadow, for those of you who may be curious, is a traditional oath that all Guards and Silencers recite when they first join their respective forces.
Whilst we are separate service branches, we share the common bond of service to our Hive and Queen. What Borer and I had spoken was but a small part of this oath; an oath to stand together, even though we serve in different ways.
The Hive’s Guard, much like Equestria’s Army and Royal Guard or the Empire’s Talons and Knights, are the ones who will face a threat directly and always place themselves before the Hive and an enemy force. The Silencers, in turn, are akin to the Black Lances or the Ravens; fighting from the shadows and serving to protect the Hive in less direct and oft far less pleasant or ‘honorable’ means.
Though I could continue, I would prefer to pass the quill to the third contributor of this particular battle’s tale, one who took the combined efforts of Ambassador Kaval as well as our Queen to convince to give her side—the gryphon side—of the story. Before she takes up the quill, I ask that our readers keep in mind that she was serving her country in a time of war.
Much like Raven leader Orel Travina, whom we have had some dealings with post-war, she did what her duty asked of her and what she believed must be done to secure her nation’s survival, even if the work ‘twas perchance less than glorious.
‘Tis certain to me that any changelings who may read this will immediately condemn her and those who attacked the Hive, no less than Cloudsdale Pegasi may condemn Orel Travina herself. But ’tis important to remember that we openly assisted an enemy of the Empire, and thus lost any and all right to call ourselves neutral. We chose our side, and the Empire was fully within its rights to target us after we delivered their invasion plans to Equestria.
In truth, methinks our kind are no less innocent than any pony or gryphon who fought in the bloody war. Indeed, I’m sure Commander Borer would readily confirm that Silencers alone were responsible for a considerable number of assassinations and even some outright atrocities in those dark days, most of which I was kept unaware of. ‘Twould be an outright lie to state otherwise.
In the end, war ‘tis a bloody and brutal affair. ‘Twill bring out great deeds of heroism and bravery, true. But ‘tis also when the ugliest and most vicious traits of our kind will oft show their face, poisoning ourselves and our dealings with other races. To borrow the saying of the great pony Sun Master himself, whose works have made their way into our libraries as well:
“The art of War is of vital importance to the Kingdom. ‘Tis a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence, ‘tis a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”
‘Tis also worth noting that at the time, the Empire believed that both Celestia and Equestria as a whole were a danger to not just them, but all races of Tellus should she succumb to the same insanity as her sister. Any underlying goals among those who set forth the motions that lead to the war aside, ‘twas seen by them as vital to end the hold Celestia had over the sun before she turned such power on them or worse, went mad and destroyed the world entirely. Misguided or not, this was the belief of the Empire, and thus they acted in what they thought were the interests of all.
The Lepidoptes Hive, in turn, saw the Empire’s actions as a threat to both Equestria and the world at large. We understood that whether we involved ourselves or not, the war would happen, and what ‘twould mean to our kind were Equestria to fall. ‘Twas the future of our race at stake no less than the gryphons, so we did what we thought was right, and forced the Empire to push forward their operations before they were fully prepared. Our actions, be it for good or evil in the eyes of those who fought, had consequences, and the Ravens had the tools to mete them out.
So, with this in mind, I will now turn things over to the third and final author of this contribution to the battle’s story.
—Rachnia Silkweave
Thank you, Captain Silkweave. Methinks your words say much of your wisdom as a military leader, and your Queen was fortunate to have one such as you at the time of the war’s opening conflicts and thereafter. I, however, would probably not be as generous in my words were it me in your place.
Greetings, dear readers. I am Camilea Aeylyn; the very first Magus-trained gryphon to have ever taken on the title of Talaeus. I am also the youngest to ever gain the honor. ‘Twas unusual for a Magus Knight back then to ever approach the battlefield head-on, but my mother’s tutelage in the way of the blade when I was a fledgling is what drove me to take the path that I did.
My age as well as my talents likely garnered me the attention I had received early on, both negative and positive. As ‘twas said earlier, my rather peculiar situation had eventually led to a duel with a Talaeus who, if I recall, made a rather vulgar comment about my sire performing unsavory acts for higher ranking male officers to get me to where I was. A quick duel and beheaded opponent later, I was awarded the opal helm and armor of my adversary and instantly accepted into the Talaeus ranks.
At the time of this story’s telling, it had been almost three years since I joined the Talaeus, and I had just seen my nineteenth year. My experiences, both during my training in the Magus Knights as well as amongst what ponies call the Red Talons, had given me, to borrow the old Minotaur phrase, a bit of a chip on the shoulder.
‘Twas something that my partner and combat teacher, Centurion Vimal Talias, was fully aware of. Unlike me, he was a veteran warrior, and looking back on those days now, mayhap I was too harsh to him. He never openly insulted me so much as teased, much like a sire would to their stubborn fledgling.
During the battle beneath Mosclaw, I would learn that, whilst I was mayhap gifted, I was still inexperienced in the ways of warfare. ‘Twas a lesson that, I believe, Vimal had been trying to teach me since I first gained the honored opal armor, but one that would be driven home in my first true combat action.
—Tribune Camilea Aeylyn
Head of Training, Magus Academy
Arnau
Gryphon Kingdom
“Camilea, you’re going to get lost in these tunnels if you keep storming ahead like that,” Vimal laughed, flicking excess green blood from his blade as he approached, his expression almost mirthful even if his were eyes unreadable behind his special-issue goggles that were supposed to provide the means to spot shapeshifters in disguise at close range.
I could not claim credit for it, as my specialty was combat magic, not sensory spells, but ‘twas an initial, crude effort of the Owls to give some means to foil Changeling facades. “Mayhap you should hold back, Optio. The Owls didn’t assign all these Ravens and Magus to our command just so you could get yourself killed in some misplaced need to prove yourself to your Talaeus brethren.”
I scoffed, lighting my staff to illuminate the tunnel better, “Or, mayhap I am simply quicker and your age is simply catching up to you, Vimal.”
His grin widened, sending a fresh wave of ire through me as my not-entirely-playful insult was brushed off like so much dust from the ceiling. “Your fighting spirit is admirable, lass, but you mustn’t forget the mission. Impressive though your mixture of magic and fighting arts unquestionably are, ‘tis asking for one of these shapeshifters to cut you down if you get separated from us in these tunnels. These are unique opponents whose full range of abilities we know not. ‘Twould be unwise to overestimate your own abilities in their face, or your combat record as a Taleaus will be short indeed.”
I just barely started to form a retort when a new figure approached. “Centurion Talias, we’ve received word from the flanking forces.”
He was a Raven, and like the rest of the Ravens assigned to this mission, he was decked in gray leather armor that was enchanted to give a slight increase to its meager durability, as well as some experimental light mail beneath it that ‘twas supposed to be some proof against blades if not bows.
‘Twas heavier than what they were used to, but the Owls had decided to play it safe with this mission, sacrificing some of the mobility of their assassins for better protection and armaments against an unknown threat. He was armed with a scimitar, three fire crystals on his belt, and ancestors knew how many knives and other tools of their trade hidden in his vest.
“Well, ‘tis about time; that means we managed to circumvent the spell that was jamming our crystal communications, then?” Vimal asked in an expectant tone.
“To a degree, yes, but our Magus team assigned to maintaining the links need more time to restore it completely,” the veteran assassin replied. “The initial resistance we met has received reinforcements and our progress is slow. Whilst we’ve gained a foothold in this tunnel, ‘tis certain that if we do not push the flanking decades forward quickly, we’ll lose our momentum and the shapeshifters will gain the advantage. Either to counterattack or make their escape.”
I turned to Vimal and met his gaze, “I’ll move to the western tunnel at the first fork. We should be able to carve our way through and divert the enemy’s attention that way.” I turned to the Raven and continued, “Before we engage, mayhap you might tell me how the new combat Magus are faring?”
“From what I have overheard, better than we had anticipated. The tunnels are restricting them from unleashing more powerful spells, of course, but our losses are few. Unlike the reports coming out of Equestria thus far, I might add.”
I nodded, “Good, that will rankle some feathers when I prove my methods were right, then.” I made my way towards the direction the Raven had come from, but was stopped by Vamil as he placed a claw on my shoulder.
“Camilea,” he began, his joking tone absent, his usual smirk replaced with a stern expression. “Remember what I said, lass. No glory-seeking. ‘Tis no need to prove yourself to anyone here; stay sharp and don’t lose focus.”
I rolled my eyes, “Yes, yes, and don’t keel over from overexerting yourself, you old crow—”
“Camilea,” he repeated, digging his talons into my armor. “I mean what I say. The mission’s goals come first: gather intelligence from the enemy, eradicate any resistance, secure prisoners if possible.” His voice was barely above a whisper now, but it held the firmness of a tiercel who had seen many bloody battles. “Is that clear, Optio?”
The use of my rank got me to straighten my stance a bit. I let out a huff but nodded, banging a clawed fist to my chest. “Understood, Centurion Talias.”
His eyes lost some of their hardness and he nodded. “Battle is upon us. Fight well, Camilea.”
“You as well, Vamil.”
With that, we separated as the Raven agent and I made our way through the tunnels. The distant echoes of fighting reverberated off the walls. Whilst I wasn’t worried, ‘twould be a blatant lie for me to state I did not feel the tension that hung in the air.
“These changelings…” the Raven began, his words shaking me from my thoughts. “They’re not quite what we had anticipated.”
If I didn’t know any better, it almost sounded like he was commending our enemy with his tone. “Odd. I would have thought the Owls would have done plenty of research on them before taking action.”
“We had no choice, were we to catch them before they fled. That’s the problem; we still know next to nothing about them aside from what we’re learning as we fight them.” Frustration laced his words now. “They attack us head-on like headstrong Saddle Arabian soldiers, but move with a grace and fluidity akin to an Equestrian Aerial Corps pegasus at the same time. And to make matters worse, there’s those…” He shook his head. “Methinks I do not know what to call them, but those changelings in dark armor that move in the shadows are an even match for us!”
I made no comment on that; he was right. The Silencers, as I would learn they are called years later, were giving the Ravens much difficulty, their equal in blades but even more elusive. They moved silently, they knew the tunnels well and were just as skilled in close quarters combat as well as distance attacks. They were providing the much-needed support their heavier armored comrades needed to hold the chokepoints that were our only routes deeper into the hive and all we sought.
“All the more reason for us to not give these changelings a reprieve and form an effective counter,” I replied as we turned a corner, the distant echoes of spellfire and steel clashing becoming much sharper now.
“Yes, well, this may have been easier dealt with had we taken more time to-” His words were cut off as he let out a gurgle. I spun around, sword flashing in the dim light of my staff, parrying the quick and well-practiced slash of an ebony blade wielded in a faint, green glow.
“Almost,” I addressed the changeling warrior, who positioned themselves between the dying Raven’s body and myself. The glint of a crimson-soaked knife in the side of the tiercel’s throat caught my vision for a moment as I reared up into a ready stance, my body trembling with excitement and an adrenaline surge as I faced a shapeshifting foe for the first time. “At least you face me as you truly are.”
“Do not think I am showing you honor, Camilea Aeylyn of the Talaeus,” the changeling stated in Aeric, speaking in a low male voice accompanied by a sibilant hiss. “I am merely conserving my power, as I undoubtedly will have many more of your kind to fight and slay this night.”
“Then you are a fool to hold back, shapeshifter, for ‘tis certain you will not survive me.” I shifted to heft both my blade and staff into a guard stance, with the former in front and the latter held behind but ready to cast in an instant, either with a direct magic attack or a support spell that would strengthen my strikes.
“We shall see.” The changeling pushed the Raven towards me whilst darting to my left. I sidestepped the Raven’s body and pointed my staff at the shapeshifter, unleashing a bolt of raw magic at them. The changeling, without pause, spun their sword to meet my bolt, and to my surprise, batted it away as if it were only a child’s toy and not a lethal arcane power.
I moved to close the distance between them when the sharp sting of pain flashed across my cheek. I grunted and flapped my wings, leaping to the side as a second changeling in the same dusky armor lunged forward from the shadows, blade aiming to pierce my throat. Taking advantage of the opening, I thrust my sword whilst channeling magic into it. The changeling let out a pained cry as my blade cut a deep gash into their side without touching them. I held my blade before me as the changeling duo took a defensive stance, the second wincing as they moved.
The faint ripple of air moved across the edge of my sword, drawing their attention.
“So ‘tis true you wield an exotic form of wind magic, as the reports state,” The first changeling said in his accented Aeric, leaving me admittedly impressed that their intelligence service had a dossier on me. “I grant your choice of a short sword is clever; it gives the enemy the impression of having a short reach, only to cut them down with the invisible edge of your wind blade.”
“You flatter me with the praise, Changeling.” I crouched a bit whilst holding my wind-enchanted blade before me.
“I simply state a fact.” A shift in the air was my only warning as a third shadow swooped down upon me; ‘twas only my keen perception of the air currents around me that saved me as I leaped backwards and aimed my staff at my would-be assailant. The sharp howling of a razorwind filled the tunnel and the pained scream of the changeling could be heard. Not wasting a moment for the others to make their move, I gripped my staff and blade with both sets of talons and swung in their general direction, letting out a battlecry as I did.
Deep gouges ran across the tunnel walls and dust clouds kicked up into the air, spinning into the maelstrom I had created. I let the wind run rampant down the tunnel for several moments before cutting off my magic and disrupting it. When the dust cleared, the body of the third changeling lay before me, a deep cut running along their side and across their barrel accompanied by several smaller and shallower slashes from my weaker but more indiscriminate razorwind.
But to my consternation, the first and second changeling were nowhere to be seen.
“Optio Aeylyn!”
Facing away as I was, I heard rather than saw the trio of Ravens and a single Magus making their way towards me. The latter’s identity was confirmed to me by the magic identity spell I sensed; a means that Owl-affiliated Magus had come up with to confirm between Magus that the other was not an imposter. Not looking back, I held up a claw, and they immediately halted. “Come no closer! There are two more of those dark armored changelings here. They’re targeting me.” I warned as I glanced around. “They’re still here, no doubt. Isn’t that right, shapeshifters?” I called out the last part to my hidden attackers.
The Ravens were immediately on the defensive at my words, blades drawn. The Magus drew a short blade in a smooth motion as well, mimicking the stance of the others whilst she raised her staff and channeled a spell in preparation for an attack, a product of the training I’d given her.
What happened next remains seared into my memories, clear to this day. I chanced a glance back to the Ravens and the Magus Knight for only a moment. In the next moment, a clicking sound was heard just before a barrage of steel, seemingly manifesting from the walls themselves, was unleashed upon the four. Two of the Ravens managed to roll away in time whilst the third Raven and the Magus were not so lucky. A dozen steel bolts pierced through their armor and bodies, cutting them down in seconds; they were dead before they hit the ground.
Worse, the faint sound of additional clicking mechanisms could be heard behind me.
“Move!” I cried out.
The two Ravens followed my lead as I sprinted further down the tunnel. The whistling of steel could be heard behind us, and one of the Ravens let out a hiss as they were grazed in the back by the trap’s projectiles.
We sprinted past an archway in the tunnel and, mercifully, the steel projectiles didn’t follow us past that point. The injured Raven cursed, unable to tend to their wound, and gently touched the cut. Their eyes widened, and they took a sniff of the blood on their claw. “Crows, damn them…” They muttered, fishing for something from an internal pocket. “Come on, where is it? Where?!”
“What is it?” I asked, my eyes scanning the tunnel and watching for any movement.
“Whatever the blade that cut me, methinks ‘twas poisoned! I had an all-purpose antidote, but now it’s gone!”
“Can you move?” asked his partner, a young eagless judging by her voice.
“Yes, but my talons are growing numb and—”
The sound of flesh being pierced and the grunt of pain drew my immediate attention. I spun around to see the eagless with her scimitar in claw, colored in a streak of the other Raven’s blood. A dagger was embedded in the injured Raven’s chest, his eyes locked in shock with his assailant’s as he tried and failed to draw breath.
I gripped my staff tighter as I quickly reached the only possible conclusion. “How long?” I asked the Raven-disguised Changeling.
But the eagless said nothing, instead spinning around in a fluid motion and slashing the Raven across the throat. As her victim fell to the ground, she turned to face me and partially reverted her appearance, now showing eyes that were glowing green and devoid of a pupil.
“Such dishonorable tactics! Damn you!” I snarled, moving forward to slash at the false Raven, who dodged my anger-driven strike easily despite the wind spell attached. A flash of green flame filled my vision for a moment and was promptly replaced with the first changeling that had attacked me minutes ago.
“What you call dishonorable, we call survival,” he informed me as he flitted his wings with an insectile buzzing sound, avoiding a second strike with my blade. We then circled each other, neither willing to make the first move. My wind blade hummed with a sharp, clear note as I channeled a spell through my staff.
Seconds passed, and ‘twas the changeling who finally decided to make the first move. With a surge of magic, their horn lit up and a bolt of green light shot towards me. I released a barrier spell at the last moment, repelling the bolt and causing it to ricochet to a nearby tunnel wall.
The changeling clearly had intended to use that as a distraction, diving low to cut me at the legs. I met their horizontal swipe with the flat of my short sword, promptly pushing it to the side and avoiding a second magic bolt from their horn. The changeling, however, did not let up, pouncing with a snarl whilst gripping their blade in their magic before spinning it around their person, like a saw blade.
I ducked beneath the wild attack just enough to narrowly avoid a beheading as the changeling next threw their still spinning blade, now enchanted and fully in thrall to their magic, which I was finding very difficult to disrupt or even detect. The blade abruptly halted its trajectory before spinning towards me a second time. Pumping magic through my blade, a surge of wind was unleashed from the sword as I swung. The changeling’s blade was knocked from the air, its green aura flickering out as well.
I took advantage of the moment and aimed my staff at the changeling, molding my magic into a different form before firing a swath of flame from it. The changeling let out a hiss, catching the barest tongue of the flame and now sporting a burn across their right foreleg. Admirably, they drew two daggers from a pouch and held them in a defensive stance, their horn glowing threateningly as they crouched low.
“So…” I said, taking a breath of air as my staff remained pointed at them. “Where is that second changeling you were with?”
“Would you believe me if I told you?” he replied in kind.
I laughed.
A dozen more knives floated before the changeling, and I barely had a chance to react as they were flung at me, like a salvo of cross bolts from a team of Black Lances. I took a step back as the changeling lunged towards me, forelegs engulfed briefly in flames before revealing sharpened blades of chitin intent on eviscerating me.
They realized a moment too late their error as I held up two of the talons gripping my staff. A heartbeat later my body was encased in a cloak of razor wind. The changeling was promptly cut several times by the invisible sickles of wind and thrown hard into a wall, letting out a weak cough as they fell to the ground.
“Almost…” I said, repeating myself from earlier. “...but not quite.” I cautiously approached the changeling, blade ready to end them.
The changeling laughed, however. “Don’t—” A wet cough “—be so sure…”
Moving their jaw, the sound of something being bitten down and cracking could be heard. I felt an alarming and sudden surge of magic, and barely had time to raise a barrier as I was sent flying down the tunnel by an explosion of raw magic. Thankfully I managed to avoid any injury with my barrier raised, but still landed hard whilst a sharp ringing filled my ears for several long moments.
Where the changeling had once been, there was now a small, smoking crater that had cut into the side of the tunnel. No trace of the changeling remained other than a few fragments of their armor and helm. The faint smell of ash and burnt flesh wafted into my nostrils.
Letting out a sigh, I turned down the tunnel, towards the direction of the flanking gryphon forces. If just three of these skilled changeling assassins were able to cause this much trouble, then I could only imagine how poorly my comrades were faring.
With that in mind, I made my way onward with a bit more speed in my step than before.
My apologies, dear readers, but I’m afraid that I will need to cut my narration short. I’m starting to remember some of the darker moments of this battle that followed. Moments that gave me years of sleepless nights during and after the war…
Queen Scylla, whilst I believe I will never be able to fully atone for the atrocities I was complicit in, both on that day when we invaded your Hive, nor in the months and years that followed, please understand this much: had I known then what I do now, I would have personally stormed the Owls’ headquarters and stopped them from what they had planned. They were smart in keeping no permanent records on their… experiments… but that does not erase what had been done from the memories of the few changelings who survived. Or my own.
The Talaeus are taught to never show fear or remorse when it comes to battle, but I do not believe this had ever been completely the case for warriors; even ones such as us. Even Ambassador Kaval has had regrets, of that I am sure of. ‘Tis been stated time and time again throughout the telling of these bloody days that war is atrocious. It made me do things that I didn’t believe I was capable of; things that I still hate myself for to this day.
But good came out of it as well, impossible though it seemed at the time. I have made several visits to the pony lands in peacetime, as I have taken part in military exchanges and diplomatic tours as a high-ranked representative of both the Kingdom military and the Magus legion in the past. I have found that old enemies can become friends, yet rivalries can remain, strengthening both the skills and bonds of former foes in the process.
With regard to the latter, my visits to Equestria are not entirely for professional purposes. For there is a very certain pony there I visit whenever I can; another equally unlikely master of swords and sorcery I first encountered on an airship foredeck—a pony whose blade art is every bit the equal of my own.
A pony whose formidable skills I test myself against at every opportunity, and of whom mutual enmity eventually gave way to the greatest respect.
—Tribune Camilea Aeylyn
I thank you, Tribune Aeylyn, for enduring the recollection of that battle. Whilst it pains me to read of what happened during that awful night, methinks it has also given me some sense of closure. My changelings faced a foe that was not intent on offering quarter, but they did so selflessly, intent on buying their loved ones precious time needed to escape and a chance to survive.
I apologize for being so bold to suggest this, but it may do you some good to talk with others about how you feel, Camilea. I understand it may be hard, and you may not feel it right to share such things, but take it from those who are far more attuned to emotions that to keep them bottled up inside is good for neither the body nor mind. I am certain that the Gryphon Kingdom has means of helping you and others who have experienced the harshness of war. A body in balance with the spirit and mind that dwell within is a healthy one, after all.
When you feel fit to continue once more with your side of this battle, please let me and Captain Firefly know. For now, I shall take some time to remember the sacrifices made that day with my changelings that have accompanied me to Canterlot. The Princess has also invited me to a quiet dinner so that we may talk in greater detail of our experiences during the war, but for now, I shall spend my time in reflection.
—Queen Scylla Lepidoptes IV
“Battles are lost in the same spirit they are won.” —Walt Whitman
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Another nice battle. Noticed that the Changelings weren't using that much shapeshifting during battle. Too much to concentrate on?
A good chapter all around, to be sure ;3
For some reason, though, all I can hear is this song when reading it, though.
The whole thing with Chnagelings is reminding me a bit of Codex Equus which has also a lot on changelings. The name of the planet does so even more because in Codex Equus the planet was called Tellus in the past and this is only the second story that I know of to use that name. If anyone's interested here's the link to Codex Equus and the Trope page. I assume that the name Tellus was chosen as the latin couterpart to the greek Gaia which is something I got from Wikipedia.
Okay Question: if the show is near canon to this story and the gryphons have made those goggles and I bet Eqyestria sought to make their own. How did the wedding fiasco happened?
Very well done! I've enjoyed this view of the Changeling contribution to the conflict. The measure of this writing is that you have left me wanting more! Carry on!
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now that you say that i can see or hear The last stand in the background
So did blueblood did 'it' after the war or not?
I need to know
Bloody hell... Or rather Tarterus? Anyway...
Good the Griffon Empire got destroyed. The rotting of their morals for power and giving away Harmomys Kindness and Generousity for bloodlust / hunting thrill.
FOR HIVE AND QUEEEEEN!!!
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In fairness, the gryphons had ample reason to target the Changelings after they smuggled their invasion plans to Equestria.
They’ve chosen their side, and now they must accept being treated as an enemy of the Empire.
They lost their honor, certainly, even if they don’t realize it yet. They’re not dishonorable because they’re an Empire, they’re dishonorable because they completely lost sight of what honor is and lost their ability to see it in others.
So say the sons and daughters of Lepidoptes!
I'm going to reference this griff in my fic at some point if you don't mind. Her name is similar to my hippogriffs protagonist, Aella, and I really like how she pairs her swordplay with magic. Very fun! Especially how she uses it subtly to extend the reach of her blade, that is brilliant.
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By all means. I’d be honored. All I ask is that you make sure to credit the story she appeared in and her character’s creator when you use her.
The latter is not me, but an author named Denim_Blue, who has sadly departed the site.
He guest-wrote the first Bleeding Earth chapter, and after he left, it fell to me to write the second using the characters and story he’d already laid out.