Chapter One

A Handmaiden's Duty

Handmaidens are a distinct breed of Changelings. Almost as rare as the Queens they serve, a Handmaiden is a Changeling Queen’s right hoof, doing the Queen’s bidding without question.

Handmaidens are not as large as Queens, but they are slightly larger than their lesser brethren, and bear eyes like their Queens.

Unlike the Queens they serve, Handmaidens are not single creatures in a large brood of lesser Changelings, but rather a brood of their own. From birth they each train to become the Queen’s Chosen, competing against one another in a series of challenges once they have reached maturity. When these trials are complete, the current Queen selects one of them to serve her heir. As such, Handmaidens are often their Queen’s elder by several years. There have been cases where Handmaidens were even dozens of years their Queen’s elder, several where they were about the same age as their Queen, and even a few where they were younger that their Queen.

Once they have been selected to serve, the Handmaiden goes into work immediately. They stay at their Queen’s side at all times, unless instructed otherwise, and continue their training to suit their Queen’s needs.

The rejected Handmaiden Candidates are often integrated into the Queen’s Royal Guard (see entry for more details). However, Handmaiden Candidates have been known to give up their lives once another has been selected and move into a different branch of a Hive (see Glossary: Former Handmaidens for notable cases), go into a civilian life, or leave a Hive altogether (see entry Outcasts).

As her internal clock ticked over to morning, Truth Uso woke. If someone (or somepony, as those to she had encountered outside the hive insisted on saying) were to be in the room observing, the only immediate indication that the changeling had woken was a slight hitch in her breathing. After a moment, Truth’s eyes opened and she propped herself up. She easily slid out of her bed and began her morning stretches, wincing slightly whenever one of the holes in her legs reminded her of its presence.

It was a mere two months following the failed invasion of Canterlot, but the hive had still fallen lower than many had anticipated. They had lost many during the invasion and many more during the trek home after being scattered to the winds by the repelling spell of the alicorn and the Guard Captain. They were still getting groups arriving at the gates, half dead and a fraction of the number they had started their journey with.

By the latest count of the scribes, the hive had lost twelve percent of its total population, both military and civilian. In two months.

Their stores of food were running low and the raw magical love they needed to live was all but gone. They were in a catch-22 in terms of solving that problem. With the world at large suddenly reminded of their existence, they had to be more discrete in their siphoning of love. However, they needed more love than they could gather with this method. Unfortunately, higher risk methods of harvesting ran the chance of their central hive being discovered and most likely subsequently razed to the ground.

Truth sighed as she thought over their predicament, as was now part of her morning routine. She mentally ran over every solution to their woes that came to mind, but often came up with nothing viable. At least her Queen would arrive today.

Truth finished her stretches and slipped into a tight-fitting, black tunic before making her way into her kitchen. She quickly ate a modest breakfast of milk, honey, and clovers. The serving was a tad smaller than she would have liked, but with the rest of the hive on rations as well, Truth wasn’t about to complain to anyone.

After breakfast, the Handmaiden decided to skip her daily soaking in the hot springs in favor of going directly to her Queen’s chambers. She left her home and buzzed off through the hive.

Truth had no doubt that many of Equestria’s denizens thought of a changeling hive as a dark, humid hole in the ground filled to the brim with honeycombs puking out larvae and slime. Granted, they did have those, but the hive was more than that.

Nestled inside a mountain, the hive was mostly a nest of twisting tunnels all leading back to a massive centralized cavern. Naturally luminescent crystals gave them light, and were worth something to Diamond Dogs, who occasionally traded with (disguised) scouts. The crystals also seemed to be somehow synced with the sun’s progress through the sky, brightening and dimming as it rose and set. Edible fungus grew in the lower levels, lakes of lava kept the hot springs warm, and the mountain itself sheltered them from the elements and prying eyes. While they had built a great many structures in the cavern, a number of massive stalagmites and stalactites had been carved into as well to form homes. In the months before the failed invasion, they had a presence on the mountain itself, but had since withdrawn entirely into the mountain.

Truth slowed herself to a hover outside the landing platform to her Queen’s home, coming to a gentle stop on its worn smooth surface. She briskly made her way inside, whistling merrily to herself. She was intent on straightening up a little and arranging her reports for her Queen with the least important on bottom and [Holy Shit! Read Now!] on top.

So imagine her surprise upon entering her Queen’s office and discovering she was already there. Her Queen wore shimmering green robes that more accented her figure rather than hide it. A moment after the thought passed through her mind, Truth blushed and hastily began rubbing her cheeks to try and make it go away.

Queen Chrysalis was suddenly aware she was not alone and looked up from the report she was reading. Truth hastily dropped to a knee, bowing her head.

“My Queen,” she said, eyes fixed firmly on carpeting before her. “I had thought you arrived later. My apologies.”

“Apologies are unnecessary, I arrived earlier than expected,” Chrysalis said with a dismissal wave of her hoof. “You may rise.”

Truth bowed her head once before rising to her hooves. “My Queen, if I may ask, were you successful?”

Chrysalis seemed to mull the question over before she answered. Two weeks prior, she had left the hive on a desperate mission to broker a peace with the newly restored Crystal Empire. She had insisted she go alone, as she wanted to show the Empire she wanted nothing but peace. After a week and a half had passed the changelings had feared that some terrible fate had befallen their Queen, but a letter had arrived that day via magical teleport bearing the Queen’s writing and signature. The letter assured the populace of the hive that their Queen was alive and well and was to return soon.

After a few moments, Chrysalis spoke. “Things are… delicate at the moment. But, I have a good feeling about the coming weeks. Which reminds me....”

Chrysalis moved behind her desk, resting the report she had been reading on top of it, and pulled a small crate from behind the carved piece of rock. She placed the crate on the desk and then held up a crystal vial filled with pink liquid.

“...Do you know what this is, Truth?” Chrysalis asked.

The Handmaiden blinked a few times to ensure she was seeing it correctly before answering, “Love Extract, my Queen?”

Chrysalis nodded. “There are a few dozen vials in here.” she patted the crate. “I need you to deliver them to the ration stations around the hive. Tell them to mix it in with the current rations and to increase the amount of rations as well.”

Truth nodded and approached the desk, taking the crate in her hooves.

“And Truth?”

Truth looked up from the crate at her Queen. “Yes, my Queen?”

“Don’t tire yourself out delivering these. I have a feeling I shall have another task for you once you have completed this one.”

Truth nodded. “Yes, my Queen.”

Truth hefted the crate as Chrysalis returned to the report she had been reading. As she left the office, Truth spared a glance back at her Queen, noting that it appeared as though the holes in her legs were smaller. But that might have been a trick of the light.

Hunger Holes [sic] can most easily be classified as a defense mechanism built into Changeling Physiology.

When a Changeling goes for a long enough period without feeding on Love or feeding too little, their body literally begins to eat itself to sustain them. These so called ‘Hunger Holes,' while painful at times, do not hinder a Changeling’s physical abilities, for the most part. However, the longer a Changeling goes unnourished or undernourished, the larger and more painful these holes become and they soon begin to hinder the Changeling.

Feeding on Love can halt the widening of these holes, but a Changeling must return to a healthy diet to begin closing them. Excessive feeding can close these holes quicker, but a Changeling overfeeding on Love is similar to any other creature overeating. Tummy aches and sitcom marathons.

Truth brought herself to a quick stop with a flutter of her wings. The crate *thunk*ed louder than she would have liked as she tried to gently place it on the ground. She was tired, having perhaps pushed herself a little too hard in her eagerness to reach all the ration stations before the day ended.

After taking a moment to catch her breath, Truth hefted the crate again and made her way inside. She stopped at her Queen’s door, knocked and waited for her Queen to allow her entry.

“Come in, Truth.” Chrysalis’ voice came from behind the door.

The Handmaiden entered the office, placing the crate down against the wall and quickly closing the door. Her Queen still wore the shimmering robes from before as she sat behind her desk, but Truth managed to keep her thoughts pure. She walked to the center of the room and fell to one knee again, head once more bowed.

“I’ve finished the deliveries, my Queen.” Truth said, eyes fixed on the carpet once more.

Chrysalis allowed herself a small smile as she rested her head on her folded hooves. “Very good, Truth, very good. You’ve finished quicker than I had anticipated.”

“I wanted to be able to tend to your other task, my Queen.”

Chrysalis nodded to herself. “Yes, ever faithful my dear, a quality that is certainly needed in these times.” Chrysalis opened a drawer on her desk and extracted a stack of paper from within. “Rise,” she said to Truth as the placed the papers on her desk.

“Your reports were well put together, as always, but I need to talk to you specifically about this one.” Chrysalis tapped the report. “Colonel Gisei has been acting rather… odd, according to your reports. He’s been making speeches, winning over troops, separating them from the rest of the army.” Chrysalis sighed. “He seems to be rather displeased with me.” Chrysalis met Truth’s gaze. “This report is simple observation, correct? None of your personal opinions colored it in any way?”

“I was objective, my Queen.”

Chrysalis nodded, more to herself than Truth, and spun her chair to face the large window behind her desk. The Queen looked out over the dimming lights of the hive for a time before speaking.

“There are very delicate events unfolding, Truth, and I cannot risk them being undone by even the best of intentions. I think it is time for Colonel Gisei to retire.” Chrysalis looked over her shoulder at Truth. “Do you understand?”

Truth nodded.

Chrysalis returned the nod and pulled a crystal vial like the ones from the crate from within her robes. “Drink this before you begin your work. It will help.”

Truth approached the desk cautiously and leaned forward to take the proffered vial. Despite herself, she couldn’t help but admire the way the her Queen looked in the soft light, the way her shimmering green hair caught the light of the crystals. There was a slight hitch in her breathing. She was close enough to smell her Queen. She smelled the same as usual, that sweet, enticing aroma that just made you want to shower her with kisses.

Truth felt heat creeping into her cheeks. She took the vial and backed off a little too quickly. For a moment she feared her Queen would say something, but if her charge noticed anything, she did not voice it.

“Return to me in the morning to inform me of the success of your task.” Chrysalis said, returning her gaze to the window.

“Yes, my Queen.” Truth bowed low and backed out of the office.

As she made her way to the platform, cradling the vial, Truth couldn’t help but replay the previous scene over and over in her mind. Each time, she felt worse, seeing herself more and more like some lecherous fiend.

However, she couldn’t help but think she might have detected some other scent on her Queen. It was familiar, but the Handmaiden couldn’t quite place it.

Truth shook her head to clear it and instead looked at the vial she’d been given. She wondered how strong this Love Extract was anyway….

The Handmaiden pulled the crystal stopper out and put the vial to her lips and tipped her head back. The Extract was surprisingly warm and sweet, and before Truth knew it, she was licking the neck of the vial, trying for more. Her body started processing the Extract quicker than she expected. A gasp escaped her lips as she felt energy fill her being, renewing her vigor.

Truth shook her head again, a little overwhelmed by the Extract’s effects, and took off from the platform, heading home. She had things to prepare.

“Lieutenants” are yet another fascinating subspecies of Changeling. While not as powerful as Queens or Generals (see entries) Lieutenants are yet a vital part of a Hive.

Slightly larger than the troops they often command, Lieutenants serve as the Officers in any Hive’s military force. They are required to command respect among their troops and be fierce fighters on par with the Royal Guard.

In what is likely a quirk of a society long dead, some Lieutenants have a near obsession with ‘honor’ and doing things the ‘honorable’ way. [Basket Cases] In these cases, Lieutenants are likely to clash with those ranked above them on certain issues, all the way up to and including their Queens. Coup attempts are not unknown. Seppuku is not uncommon either.

Colonel Gisei sat in his admittedly small office, listening to the larger of the two griffons sitting across from him blather on. He had encountered the griffons while he and a squad of his soldiers were patrolling the mountainside a week ago. How the mix-matched creatures had found them was still a mystery, but Gisei would leave that for another time. The griffons had made him an offer of support, and given recent events, Gisei was inclined to at least hear what they had to say.

When they requested a meeting on his… ‘soil’ as they said, Gisei gave them a time and a place. When the griffons arrived, he had them blindfolded, deafened, and put plugs of moss in their nostrils to keep them from learning the location of any of the access tunnels. Gisei and a dozen or so of his most trusted soldiers had then escorted the griffons to his modest home. And here they were.

“The rifle, as you can see, is simple yet elegant.” the larger griffon was saying. He spoke with an almost patronizing tone, but the Colonel had to admire the fact that the griffon had learned to speak in the Changeling’s own tongue.

The rifle the griffon was speaking about was currently laying across Gisei’s desk. A good four feet in length, the rifle was mostly polished wood with steel and iron comprising important parts like the trigger, the hammer, and the barrel.

“It breaks open here for reloading,” the griffon said, pointing to the top section of the rifle where the stock met the barrel. “All you do is release these two latches and insert the ammunition and powder. The latches are very secure, which means it won’t pop open when you don’t want it to, but it will increase reload time. A fair trade off in this environment, da?”

Gisei nodded, taking the rifle apart with his eyes. It seemed sturdy enough, although he would have to test that himself. And with practice, his soldiers could reload with speed. But that wasn’t what was really bothering him.

“And there is no need to worry about having the enemy getting too close with no time to reload. Each rifle will come with a shtyk, a blade that goes on the end of the rifle. Perfect for dealing with nasty little, eh…” the griffon paused. “I am having trouble finding the correct word.”

“Bykshtays,” Gisei offered.

The griffon nodded. “Da, dealing with nasty little… as you said. And in addition to the rifle, we have something else for your consideration.” the larger griffon then looked to his smaller compatriot.

The smaller griffon returned the stare blankly before snapping to attention and withdrawing a dark, metal object from the tunic he wore. It took Gisei a few moments to realize it was some sort of pistol, but with a cylinder set into the middle.

“Something very rare in this part of world.” the larger griffon began as the smaller one placed the weapon on the desk. “The cylinder holds six chambers, each containing a shot, and the trigger mechanism causes the cylinder to revolve, lining the next chamber up with the hammer.” the griffon pointed a talon at the back of the cylinder. “There is a little lever there that opens to expose a chamber, allowing for loading.” the griffon nudged the pistol closer to Gisei. “Consider it a gift.”

The changeling regarded the pistol, but allowed it to remain untouched on the desk.

“Impressive weaponry.” Gisei said. “But what exactly are you offering?”

The larger griffon smiled. “We are offering to sell you one hundred of these rifles, and a hundred loads of ammunition for each. We also have a dozen of the revolving pistols, and more can be delivered in a few month’s time. All this for the cost of twenty thousand bits or equivalent.”

Gisei thought this over for a few minutes, silently brooding while the two griffons eagerly awaited his approval. After a time, Gisei simply said, “No.”

The larger griffon’s brow creased. “If the price is a problem, I have been authorized to negotiate.”

“The price is fair, but I’m afraid I have no use for these weapons.”

“Surely these would be a boon for your task.” the griffon said.

Gisei eyed him. “What do you mean?”

“I have done the necessary research, tovarishch. And I know any coup would be greatly helped by these weapons.”

Gisei growled softly. “Take care in what you imply.”

“We meant to imply nothing.” the smaller griffon stammered out.

Gisei fixed him with a gaze but quickly returned to the larger griffon. “Look around you.” he said, sweeping a black hoof around the room. “This is the room of an honorable warrior. If I were to attempt to overthrow my Queen, I would not do so through trickery. I would face her openly and honorably.”

“With what, that?” the larger griffon scoffed, gesturing to the sheathed sword sitting behind Gisei.

The Colonel’s eyes narrowed. In a single, swift movement, he pulled the katana from its sheath and impaled it through the stock of the rifle and the desk beneath it.

“Yes,” Gisei said simply, taking some pleasure in the griffons’ shocked expressions. Placing a hoof on the desk for leverage, Gisei pulled the single edged sword from wood, quickly running a cloth over its curved length before returning it to the black sheath. He place the katana on the desk. “This is the weapon I will be using to oppose my Queen, for she will be using the same to oppose me.”

The larger griffon breathed angrily through his nose, but ultimately relaxed in his seat. “Very well, if you change your mind…” the griffon shrugged. “We should be in the area a while longer.”

“Performing raids against Equestria’s trade routes?” Gisei raised an eyebrow.

The griffon looked surprised. “How did you-?”

“I have done the necessary research as well.” Gisei smiled. “Tovarishch.”

The griffon snorted in amusement. “Clever little buggers, aren’t you?”

Gisei nodded and sank back into his seat. “I will remember your offer when my work for my hive is complete. My subordinates will show you out.”

Gisei gestured to the sliding door just as something dark splattered against its crystal surface. The griffons’ eyes widened while Gisei’s narrowed.

“What’s going on out there?” the smaller griffon asked, fear evident in his voice.

“The Handmaiden has come calling, most likely.” Gisei said calmly. “I think the Queen did her research as well.” the Colonel stood and picked up his katana. “I advise you two to hide.”

The larger griffon scoffed. “Not likely.” he said, snatching up the revolver from Gisei’s desk. “Colonel, maybe a demonstration will change your mind soon, rather than later.” the griffon said as he loaded up the revolver. He picked up the rifle and passed it to the smaller griffon.

“She’ll kill you.”

The griffon laughed scornfully. “Ha! I will not be killed by a female. Certainly not one of your females.”

The larger griffon pulled his compatriot with him as they approached the sliding door. He shoved it opened and peered into the darkened hallway. Sneering back at Gisei, the griffon stomped into the hall, followed closely by his compatriot. The door slid close behind them.

Gisei bowed his head, listening closely. There was a gasp of surprise, the loud bang of the rifle, followed by two quick bangs from the pistol. A loud curse began, cut off by the sound of something being sunk into flesh. And then, silence.

Gisei raised his head as he heard the door slide open. There stood the Handmaiden, dressed in a tight fitting black tunic, her bloodied katana in one hoof.

“I suppose you’ve come to ‘retire’ me, yes?” Gisei asked.

The Handmaiden nodded once.

Gisei sighed. “Will you let me have my honor?”

Again, the Handmaiden nodded.

Gisei slowly pulled his own blade from its sheath, relishing the sound for what could be the last time.

“The rest of those in this house, the ones you have not yet encountered, will you kill them as well?” Gisei asked.

“Only those that will hinder my leaving this place.” the Handmaiden answered.

Gisei nodded, understanding. “I thank you. They were merely following me.” Gisei held up his katana. “This weapon has been
in my family line for a very long time. No matter what happens, it has always been looked after. Can you promise me that will not end here, Handmaiden?”

“I can.”

Gisei took a deep, calming breath. “Understand I am doing nothing but what I believe is best for this hive. I do not seek our Queen’s throne.” Gisei said as he moved around his desk. “I seek what is best for this hive.”

“As do I.”

Gisei allowed himself a small smile. “Prepare yourself, Handmaiden.”

She moved first, taking a running step towards him. He moved to meet her, but to his surprise, she anticipated his move. She blocked his swinging arc with her katana and then ducking beneath it, drawing another, smaller blade from behind her back. Hot pain stabbed its way through his abdomen, and Gisei fell to his knees, struggling to draw breath.

The Handmaiden rose, leaving the long dagger in the Colonel. As he wheezed, she raised her katana above her head. He knew what was coming.

“Remember your promise, Handmaiden.” Gisei managed, the strength of his voice wavering as breathing became more and more difficult.

“I shall remember.” the Handmaiden said as her blade chopped downwards.

Colonel Gisei’s head made a dull *thunk* against the floor. Truth gave the Colonel’s body a respectful bow and placed her katana on the desk. She then retrieved her dagger from the Colonel’s body, placing it next to its larger brother.

The Handmaiden carefully picked up the Colonel’s katana, giving it a cursory swipe of the cloth before returning it to its sheath and strapping it to her back. She then cleaned her own blades of the Colonel’s blood, sheathing them and leaving the room.

Outside in the darkened hallway, Truth was about to retrace her path through the house, hopefully not encountering any more of the Colonel’s house guards, when she heard a soft wheezing sound. Turning towards the sound, Truth stalked forward, slowly drawing her dagger.

She soon happened upon the source of the wheezing. It was the smaller of the two griffons that had attacked her. He lay bleeding from the slash across the chest she had given him, but apparently he was sturdier than she had anticipated. When he saw her approach, the griffon desperately tried to pry the revolver from his compatriot’s grip.

Truth reached him just as he got the weapon free. She grabbed his arm and wrenched the gun from him, dropping it out of his reach. He struggled with her for a moment, but quickly gave up, slumping back, one set of talons clutching his wound.

“Please,” he gasped. “Please spare me. I will tell none of what I saw. YA proshu vas!” he begged, reverting to his native tongue.

Truth sighed as she knelt down next to the griffon. “I am sorry, but I cannot.” she grabbed the griffon’s shoulder and stabbed the blade though his heart. She held him close as the griffon shuddered once and then slumped back, slipping off the dagger and coming to rest against the wall.

“Pokoysya s mirom.” she whispered solemnly, closing his eyes.

Truth wiped her blade clean on the larger griffon’s tunic and returned it to its sheath. She then picked up the revolver he had carried. She turned it over in her hooves a few times before pocketing it with a shrug.

The Handmaiden took a quick leave of the place, encountering none on her way out.

The so-called ‘King’ Changelings are now more commonly known as ‘Generals,’ as this is often the position they now fill.

A General Changeling, while no taller than a Queen, is far bulkier and certain broods of these monsters have been known to possess a ‘Spear-Tail.' Generals possess a great deal of raw physical strength, as well as cunning. And while Generals do possess wings, their bulk makes it difficult for them to fly very far or very fast.

Another known trait of Generals is the risk of them losing most of their mental functions and becoming rampaging Brutes (see entry). And a bit of an inferiority complex in certain cases.

Truth flipped the lever concealed behind the painting, starting the gears hidden in the walls turning. She was back at her home now, having already reported her success to her Queen. Their conversation had been… interesting.

“Colonel Gisei has bee retired, my Queen.” Truth said, head bowed.

“Very well.” Chrysalis replied, staring out the window at the below. A long silence stretched out between them, Chrysalis saying nothing and Truth remaining still as a statue.

“Are you… regretting his passing, my Queen?” Truth dared after a time.

Chrysalis seemed surprised by the question, but she quickly covered it up. “I suppose, in a way.” Chrysalis replied. “He was not evil, I think, but rather misguided.”

“The best intentions can have the worst outcomes.” Truth intoned.

Chrysalis smiled humorlessly. “Yes, they can.” she reached into a drawer on her desk and with drew three more crystal vials. “These are for you.” she said, placing them on the desk. “I want you to take a few drops every day. It should speed up the healing process.”

Truth rose and approached the desk, taking the vials and tucking them into her tunic.

“I shall be leaving by the end of the week.” Chrysalis said.

Truth froze in place. “Again? My Queen.” she added hastily.

Chrysalis nodded. “As I said before, the situation is delicate and requires as much attention as I can give it. I’ll set things in order here and return there for more negotiations.”

“I shall be accompanying you this time, yes?” Truth said, making it sound more like a a statement than a question.

Chrysalis looked away, staring out the window again. “I’m afraid not. It is better I go alone.”

Truth found herself grinding her teeth, but she kept her expression neutral. “Of course, my Queen.”

“You are dismissed.” Chrysalis waved her hoof.

Truth growled softly at the very recent memory, a little more than unhappy Chrysalis was doing this to her. The wall next to her split perfectly down the middle and the two sections swung outward. Truth shook her head as she entered her armory. Was she really this upset that her Queen was disregarding her position as Handmaiden, or was there some other reason she was so pissed off?

Truth just shook her head as she placed Colonel Gisei’s katana on the wall, making a mental note to clean and polish it properly tomorrow.

“So this is the trophy room.” a deep voice rumbled behind her.

Truth spun around, her katana in her hooves before she finished her 180 turn. What, or rather who, she saw surprised her. Leaning ever so casually against a wall was Silas, the Grand General of the Army. Also known as Swarm Master General, but he seemed to dislike that one.

“What do you want, General?” Truth asked, lowering her katana.

“Answers,” he replied.

Truth froze. Did the General already find out about Gisei’s death? How did he know it was her?

“About what?”

“About why you went into Colonel Gisei’s home and beheaded him.”

Truth’s grip on her katana tightened. She didn’t fancy killing the General, but she certainly didn’t fancy dying here and now either.

“He was a problem. I solved it.” Truth answered.

To her surprise, Silas laughed. “I suppose you did.” and just as quickly as the laughter started, it stopped. “But we still have other problems.”

Silas sighed. “Gisei’s heart was in the right place, but his methods…” Silas shook his head. “A violent coup will only create more disorder and kill more of our own.”

“Are you suggesting a non-violent coup then?” Truth asked, her tone bordering on playful.

“It might be for the best.”

Truth tilted her head. “I’d start explaining myself if I were you, General.”

Silas nodded and ran a hoof though his head-spines. “The Queen isn’t as popular as she used to be. The failure of the invasion was due to a variable none of us predicted, but many in this hive find it easy to blame it all on the Queen. And her recent behavior has not revitalized her popularity. Vanishing for two weeks, ordering the assassination of one of her detractors once she returns?”

“But what of the Extract she’s brought? It’s more than we’ve gathered in a month’s time.”

“And where did it come from?” Silas challenged. “I spoke with her myself earlier today and she refused to tell me its source. Only that it was a gift from the Empire.” Silas shook his head. “A gift like that begs a gift in return. I can only imagine what she’ll give them.”

“Is there a point to this, General?” Truth asked.

“I need your help, Handmaiden. You are close to our Queen. Closer than any other. All I ask is that you report to me what you learn from her.”

Truth’s eyes narrowed slightly. “To what end?”

“I want to understand if our Queen is truly working to a better tomorrow or spiraling out of control. If she is fine, there will be no need for anything to change. But if she is not, then the soon we take action, the better.”

Truth mulled it over for a time. “I’d just report to you what I find? Nothing more?”

Silas nodded. “You will divulge information at your own discretion.”

Truth was silent for a while longer before speaking again. “I am concerned as well, General. I’ll speak with you later, but I wish to be present at the meetings you will no doubt hold with the information I provide.”

A ghost of a smile crossed Silas’ face. “Very well, Handmaiden. You know where to find me.”

And with that he turned away and began leaving. A few thoughts of killing him now flittered through Truth’s mind. There was a crossbow sitting on the wall near her, the pointed steel tip of the bolt would no doubt pierce the thick chitin on his back. It might not kill him, but it would incapacitate him long enough for her to finish hm off.

He was nearing the door, but a few dozen paces away. She had to act quickly before he passed out of sight. Half a dozen paces.

Three.

Two.

One.

He was gone.

Truth let out a breath she wasn’t aware she'd been holding and her body visibly relaxed. She ran a hoof over her head and went back into her armory. She began going through the motions of properly cleaning and maintaining her swords.

The motions were second nature to her and her mind wandered as she worked. What she had done, accepting the General’s request, and then not killing him. And the thought of reporting him to her Queen never crossed her mind. Her Queen’s behavior bothered her as well, but for likely different reasons than Silas’. How had Chrysalis gathered so much Love Extract in such a short time? Why did she need to leave so suddenly again? And that smell. That whiff of something that clung to her Queen and stuck in the back of her mind.

Where in Tartarus had she smelled that before?

Truth groaned and rubbed her temples. She pushed aside her now clean blades and pulled out the gun she'd taken off of the griffon. She began to tinker with it, trying to figure out exactly how it worked. She soon became absorbed in her task, forgetting her worries, at least for the moment.

-Excerpts from One Thousand and One Creatures of Equestria and Her Neighbors and a Number of Interesting and Likely Useless Facts About Them
Author Unknown

Chapter Two

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A Handmaiden’s Creed

The following months were hard on Truth. Her Queen seemed to be spending more and more of her time off negotiating with the Empire, leaving Truth alone, with only training and the occasional convening of Silas’ inner circle to look forward to. She stayed silent most meetings, only occasionally speaking up, but in all honesty, there was very little actually said in these meetings. They did talk a lot, but often the conversation went nowhere or ended up back where it started.

Meanwhile, the state of the hive was improving. Each time Chrysalis returned she brought with her more Love Extract, which was being mixed in with rations in greater ratios. However, along the lines of Silas’ warning months earlier, Chrysalis was taking chunks of stockpiled bits with her. The money didn’t matter much, it was all from the royal treasury, which hardly saw much use anyway. But, a few times Chrysalis took a treasure of some sort with her. An old book, an ancient sword, a necklace that supposedly gave the wearer good luck.

When not listening to Silas and his fellows blather on or relaxing in the hot springs as she often did, Truth occupied her time with training and exercise. In particular, she had devoted much of her time to practice with the revolver she had taken off the griffon. She had to admit she was taking a liking to the weapon.

And of course, there were the countless hours she spent observing and writing reports.

But ultimately, she could never get Chrysalis completely out of her mind. Questions burned her throat every time the Handmaiden saw her. Why did she need to always go alone? Who was it she was negotiating with, exactly? And why the hell did that smell get stronger every time she returned from negotiations?

Eventually, Truth managed to convince Chrysalis to have a half dozen of her Royal Guard accompany her part of the way to the Empire. Her Queen had complained at length about it, saying that should any of her fellow negotiators see the Guards it could undermine the trust they had built up.

Truth couldn’t care less, she just couldn’t stand Chrysalis being alone so far away.

Seeing how without Chrysalis around Truth was little more than a glorified secretary and historian, the Handmaiden had taken to following her on her treks to the Empire.

Truth was ashamed of herself the first time she did it, turning back after a few minutes, but the next time she followed her further. And even further the next time. And the time after that. Soon, Truth was following Chrysalis all the way to a clearing where the Changeling Queen transformed herself into a powder blue mare. The then disguised Queen went a little ways farther to another clearing where she was greeted by a pair of carriages and several armed Guard Ponies. Chrysalis entered the larger carriage and the procession rattled off to the not-too-distant Crystal Capital.

Truth returned to the hive thinking that nothing seemed out of place, but upon Chrysalis’ next return and subsequent departure, she followed her again. And again. And again. She tried justifying it by taking a few of her weapons with her, telling herself that should something happen, she would be prepared.

It became a ritual, Truth practically memorizing the branches she crept across as she essentially stalked her Queen. Sometimes the carriages would rattle off to Capital as they had the first time, other times they would head off through the woods. Truth hung back the first time they did that, but she quickly overcame her guilt when Chrysalis’ next ‘visit’ to the hive lasted less than a day.

A few months after Colonel Gisei’s forceful retirement, Truth was perched in the branches of a tree, the foliage hiding her from view while the carriages rattled along the path a little ways behind her. She pulled as the straps that held a pair of her katanas to her back, feeling bored. She was too far away from the carriages to hear anything and they no doubt had silencing spells in place anyway.

She heard one of the guards call for them to halt and wrapped the green cloak she wore tighter around herself as a breeze rustled the leaves around her. She idly watched the guards as they milled around, leaning against something or sitting down. She began playing a ‘game’ she was taught during training. When you are in a position where you must remain in place with little to do, plan out how you would kill any being nearby should a fight against you erupt.

To keep complete boredom at bay, Truth looked intently at the assembled ponies, eyes flicking from one to the next as she imagined the best ways to end them should they endanger Chrysalis.

Captain Algren sighed, happy that at least it was a cool, if foggy, morning. Spring was slowly gaining a hoof-hold over Winter, and that meant crisp mornings and sunny afternoons. And while the fog certainly did limit long range visibility, it certainly kept his orange hide cool.

Algren called out for a break, the other guards giving grateful nods and the Crystal Oxen snorting and pawing the ground as the drivers pulled on the reins. Algren was sure that the beasts of burden had a name that was a little more dignified, but he just called them Oxen, because they hardly resembled anything else.

Algren removed his helmet and ran a hoof through his brown mane. He hated wearing helmets, but it was required while on patrol. He really should thank the Princess once they got back for choosing him to lead her guards today. He was a greenhorn and an opportunity like this didn’t come often.

Algren took a moment to cast his gaze around the area. The other guards took to leaning on their spears, the lead carriage, or even just sitting down be the side of the road. The grass grew right up to the edge and even on the road here, something Algren hadn’t seen in Canterlot. He went over and leaned against the Princess’s carriage nodding to the driver. Algren liked it here, the peaceful scene something he knew he’d remember for the rest of his life.

There was a bang like cherry bomb going off and Algren looked around curiously. There was a sound like a fly buzzing by your ear and an unpleasant wet squelch. Algren felt something warm spatter on him and he looked up to see the driver falling backwards from his seat, blood spilling from the hole in his chest.

Algren’s brain didn’t catch up with what he was seeing until the driver’s body hit the ground.

“Ambush!” he shouted, scrambling towards the side of the road to meet the attackers.

Several more bangs echoed though the trees and Algren could see the flashes and puffs of white smoke that accompanied them. His fellow guards jerked and screamed as the shots tore through them and Algren stumbled as one threw up a chunk of soil and grass near him.

They then came forward, turning out from behind trees and popping out of clumps of bushes. They were ponies, each armed with a rifle with a blade affixed to the end of the barrel and wearing something of mix-matched uniforms. The guards that survived their initial salvo ran to meet them, some managing to skewer attackers on their spears as they charged downhill, most being caught unprepared as muskets they thought were empty were discharged at point blank range.

“Firing Guard!” Algren shouted as a rough looking stallion charged him.

Not too confident in his ability to fend off his attacker with his saber, Algren pulled the flintlock he’d been issued from his belt and fired. The stallion grunted as the ball pierced him, pitching forward as his body went limp, rolling into the road.

Meanwhile, the doors of the lead carriage were thrown open as six stallions armed with rifles jumped out.

“Ready!” Algren shouted to them as they took up formation, three standing, three crouching in front of them.

“Aim!” Algren gestured to the ponies coming down the incline with his saber. The Firing Guard shouldered their weapons.

But as the shout of “Fire!” left his lips, more gunshots echoed from the trees. Four of the six cried out as they stumbled back or pitched forward, their shots going wide. The remaining two stood fast and felled an attacker each. They then dropped their rifles and charged forward with swords drawn.

Three more of the attackers fell to their assault before a massive earth pony carrying an axe lumbered into view. A wide, one-hoofed swing of the axe caught one of the remaining Firing Guards in the side of the head, the force of the blow lifting him from the ground. The survivor attacked the axe-wielder with a cry and got the haft of the axe to the jaw for his troubles. The guard fell to the ground as the big earth pony brought the axe over head. It came down with a vicious crunch.

Algren saw his stallions falling around him, saw them being slaughtered. In desperation, he called out, “Throw down your weapons! Surrender!” He waved wildly to the guards. More than a few looked surprised, but most complied, tossing their weapons away and falling to their knees. A few kept fighting and were quickly cut down by gunfire. One or two even tried running, but Algren had a sickening feeling that would do them no good.

As the sounds of battle quieted down, Algren saw a griffon wearing in vaguely militaristic dress with a broadsword strapped to his side striding purposefully forward, a black eye patch covering his left eye.

Algren looked down at his hoof to see his saber still tightly clutched in it. He tossed the weapon away and looked towards the griffon.

“We surrend-!” he started as the griffon pulled a pistol from within his coat and shot Captain Algren in the chest, all in one smooth motion.

“YA zametil.” the griffon dead panned as a light brown, black maned stallion with a hat perched on his head approached. “Jenkins, take care of this for me.” he said, handing off the smoking pistol.

“Yes, Captain Fallon,” Jenkins answered, taking the pistol and tucking it in his belt.

“So Jenkins, how many did we lose?” Fallon asked, pulling an apple and a razor sharp throwing knife from his pocket.

Jenkins straitened his tricorne as he surveyed the damage.

“I’d haf ta count, but no more ‘en a dozen I reckon.” Jenkins answered in his cockney accent. “Not bad, considering these blokes are s’pposed to be royal guards.” Jenkins scoffed.

Fallon smiled. “And what can we chalk that up to?”

Jenkins bit back a sigh. “Your brilliant plannin’ an’ execution.”

“Damn right,” Fallon said as he shoved a slice of apple in his mouth. Swallowing, he looked over at his ‘forces’ seeing most of them milling about or looting the dead. “Hey, zalupas!” the ponies looked in his direction. “Get them secure!” Fallon shouted, gesturing to the surviving guards, who were on their knees with their hooves raised. “Chertovy lyubiteli,” he muttered as the ponies tripped over themselves to comply.

The griffon repressed a groan. He hated working with these two-bit bandits, but as the Commander said, they needed warm bodies to fire their guns, be they with hooves or talons.

Shaking his head, Fallon decided to play mentor with Jenkins again. The stallion was the cleverest of the bunch, if not necessarily the bravest or the strongest.

“Hey Jenkins, you want to give me your appraisal of all this?” Fallon gestured to the general area.

Jenkins perked up a bit. “Well, there seems to be an awful lot of guards fer just two wagons. And the second ‘ad them rifle colts to boot. So whatever’s in there must be worth quite a bit o’ coin.” he pointed to the second carriage.

Fallon smiled as he put another apple slice in his mouth. “Right you are,” the griffon led Jenkins to the second carriage, letting him peer inside.

Inside there were two mares, one powder blue, the other a startling shade of pink. The hugged each other in fright, staring at Jenkins with wide eyes.

The stallion’s brow creased as he turned back to Fallon. “Wot, them? They might keep the colts interested for a few days, but to be worth all this…”

The griffon gave Jenkins a look and then smacked the back of his head.

“Hey! Wot was that for?” Jenkins demanded, rubbing the back of his head.

“That’s the princess,” Fallon said.

“The Princess?”

Fallon grinned and nodded. “Da, and she is worth well more than her weight in ransom.” Fallon lost the grin and grabbed the front of Jenkins’ shirt. “But if they even suspect we’ve harmed her once she has been returned, they’ll march up here and cut all of our heads off. So no one is going to touch her, understood?”

Jenkins nodded and Fallon released him, shoving another apple slice in his mouth.

Straightening his hat again, Jenkins said, “And, uh, which one is the princess?”

Fallon glanced through the window of the carriage and shrugged. “No idea. But she is one of them, so best to leave both alone. However,” Fallon turned to where the captured guards all sat on their knees, forelegs tied behind their backs and blindfolds over their eyes, “what do you think we should do with them?”

Jenkins tilted his head. “Well, they are royal guards, so… ransom them back as well?”

“Yes, they are royal guards. But they are royal guards that failed at the task that their name describes. Plus they are mouths to feed and they will no doubt try to escape. I’d say they are hardly worth the shot and powder required to put them out of their misery.” Fallon looked pointedly at Jenkins.

The stallion stared back blankly for a moment before his brain caught up. “Oh. Oh! Yes, sir.” he nodded.

Fallon smiled and looked around at the woods. Beautiful morning. The griffon then caught sight of something, or as it would seem, someone stepping out from behind a tree a little ways up the road.

“Jenkins?” Fallon said, getting the stallion’s attention. “Is that one of yours?” he pointed to the figure.

Jenkins looked at the figure, who wore a big green cloak or something similar, obscuring their shape, and shook his head. “I don’t think so, none of the colts dress like that, I don’t think.”

Fallon got the attention of the half dozen ponies standing over the captured guards. “Leave them for now,” he pointed to the figure, “find out who that is.”

The ponies nodded and began jogging up to the figure. Jenkins started after them, but Fallon grabbed his shoulder and held him back. “Wait, I have a feeling about this.”

“A feelin’?”

The griffon nodded. “And in my business, when you get a feeling, it’s best if you listen to it.”

Jenkins nodded and looked back at the figure, wondering who in Tartarus it could be.

Truth suppressed a gasp as the Love Extract’s effects hit her. This one was more potent than the last one she’d drank. Although, it had been a while since she just downed a whole vial of the stuff.

“Eh! What’s your business here?” one of the ponies that was approaching her demanded, his Trottingham accent thick. The rest of the ponies formed a rough semi-circle around her.

Truth didn’t answer, her quiet breathing rapidly increasing in tempo as the Extract did its work.

The stallion that spoke looked back at his compatriots with a ‘can-you-believe-this’ look and then looked back to Truth. “Eh, you understand Equestrian?”

Truth gasped as she felt the holes in her limbs close entirely.

“’Ere, hold this.” the stallion said, passing his musket off to the pony closest to him. He took a few steps closer to Truth. “What. Are. You. Doing. Here?” he said with deliberate slowness.

At any other time, Truth would have mocked the stallion for thinking that clear and slow enunciation would equal translation, but at the moment she was occupied with the sharp pain that suddenly lanced through her body. The crystal vial fell from her grasp.

The stallion looked at the vial with a frown. “What are you, an addict?” he bent down to try and peer under the hood of Truth’s cloak. “You listenin’ to me?”

Truth’s whole body went rigid. Her breaths became deep and slow. Everything seemed to slow down, in fact, the stallion’s words seeming drawn out and slightly distorted. Truth remembered reading about this before. Over-feeding for Handmaidens sometimes led to the extra Love Energy being converted into adrenalin rather than nutrients. There might have been a reason, but Truth couldn’t remember right now. What she did remember was that there were at least a dozen or more raiders that posed a direct threat to her Queen. And the one in front of her had bad breath.

The stallion started to speak again when Truth caught the tip of the vial on her hoof and kicked it into the air. While the half dozen ponies there all stared at the vial, Truth jabbed a hoof into the throat of the stallion that had been speaking. The stallion stumbled back with a choking gasp as Truth pulled apart the clasp of her cloak. One of the ponies tried to bring up his rifle, but became tangled up in Truth’s cloak when she threw it at him. Wrapping her forelegs around the choking stallion’s head, Truth twisted his head and body violently in opposite directions, snapping his neck with a wet crack.

The pony to her right was scrambling to bring up his rifle. Truth stepped inside his guard and grabbed the middle of the weapon, pushing it to align with the pony opposite him. Truth jabbed the stallion’s trigger hoof with her own, producing a crunch and setting off the gun. The other pony jerked violently as the shot punched into him, falling with a shout of pain. Truth then swung the gun upwards, smacking its owner in the face with the barrel. She swept his legs out from under him, flipping the rifle around as he fell. She then stabbed the gun downwards, skewering him with the bayonet affixed to the end.

By this time, two of the ponies that had stood a few paces farther away from her than their fellows managed to shoulder their rifles. Truth grabbed the pony still tangled in her cloak and used him to shield herself. The pony jerked as the shots impacted him and then stumbled as Truth shoved him into one of the two rifle-ponies.

As one struggled to push his dying compatriot off of him, the other scrambled to reload his rifle. Truth pulled her dagger from its sheath and leapt forward, slashing his throat. The remaining pony finally untangled himself from his dead compatriot, but Truth was already on top of him, bearing him to the ground with her weight as she forced the dagger through his neck.

The vial fell to the ground with soft thud.

Truth rose, pulling her katana from its sheath on her back and charged down the hill. More of the ponies came at her, the whole group clearly disorganized. It would have been safer to come at her as a group or shoot her from a distance, but Truth couldn’t really hear the sounds of criticism over the pounding of the blood in her ears.

The first one swung his rifle at her, producing a clang as it met her blade. She slipped around the weapon, stabbing him in the gut with the dagger. Fluidly moving away from him before he even hit the ground, Truth met the next as the rifle was brought down towards her head. She blocked it, shoving the rifle back up, sending the pony off balance and exposing his front. Truth slashed through his chest, but luckily didn’t even have to change direction as the next unlucky sap ran up. The katana bit through his leg, sending him to his knees. He raised his rifle to block her overhead slash, but the blade cleaved both the rifle and him in two.

The blast of a musket was followed closely by the sound of splintering wood as a shot tore through the trunk of a tree near Truth. The Handmaiden winced as the splinters hit her, but quickly recovered, grabbing her dagger by the end of the blade and throwing it. Truth heard a satisfying cry of pain as she pulled her revolver from her belt.

She fired as she ran forward, the raiders too occupied with ducking and dodging her shots to line up their own. Her gun ran dry just as she came upon the group that had been shooting at her. She threw her gun at the first, the revolver bouncing off his head and knocking him back against a tree.

One of his fellows lunged at her, allowing her to easily impale him on her katana. Then the bastard managed to grab hold of the sword, pulling it from her grasp as he fell. The first to capitalize on this had her dagger lodged in his shoulder. Truth smashed his nose with her hoof, pulling the dagger out of him as he stumbled backwards. She spun on the spot, using her momentum to throw the dagger through the pony she had hit with the revolver.

The one with the crushed nose recovered, swinging the butt of his rifle around to crack open her head. Truth tried dodging the swing, but tripped over the hilt of her katana, still lodged in the pony from before.

Truth scrambled to pull the weapon out as the pony tried for another swing, ending up awkwardly holding it in reverse as the rifle banged into it. Truth dug her hooves into the grass as the pony smashed his full weight into her. He was close enough to touch. Close enough for her to slam the hilt of her katana into his already crushed nose and stab down through his gut as he stumbled back.

Heavy hoof steps heralded the approach of the massive earth pony, his axe held at the ready. Truth felt a near psychotic grin on her lips as he approached. She brought her katana up and swung downwards. Or at least tried to. The earth pony caught her wrist and slammed his forehead into her own. Truth stumbled back, dazed by the unexpected hit.

The earth pony swung his axe around at her head, Truth managing to duck in time to avoid being killed, but not in time to avoid having her sword ripped from her grasp and tossed away. She spared a glance back as her katana spun away towards the carriages. She then charged forward, slamming a shoulder into the earth pony’s gut. He grunted, taking a few steps back to maintain his balance. She punched him in the jaw, feeling like she was hitting a boulder. He responded by slamming the haft of his axe into her, knocking her onto her back.

The earth pony raised the axe high above his head and then brought it down on her. Truth rolled, the axe head just missing her as it bit deeply into the ground. She scrambled to her hooves, beelining for the carriages as the earth pony pulled his axe from the ground and came lumbering after her with surprising speed.

He was right behind her as she stepped into the road, already bringing his axe back for another swing. Truth used one of the bodies in front of the lead carriage as a stepping stone, pushing off a wheel to get herself higher before kicking off the side. She turned in the air, hoof around the second katana on her back as the axe swung a few inches beneath her hooves. The sword left its sheath and sliced through the earth pony’s neck in a singe, smooth motion. Truth landed on her hooves a moment before the earth pony crashed to the ground, gurgling quietly.

Truth spared a glance at the one-eyed griffon and the pony beside him, both seeming to have been frozen on the spot, whether in awe or fear. Truth spared a moment to wink at them, spinning her katana in her hoof. In Changeling culture, to wink at an opponent in battle meant you intended to kill them next. She was sure they got the message.

Three more ponies ran at her, the last of the raiders. They all tried to skewer her with their rifles at once, getting them tangled in each other. She slammed an elbow into the face of the pony on her left, sending him back. The one on her right got the hilt of her sword in his mouth, knocking him down.

The one in front of her tried to stab her with the bayonet again. Truth twisted to avoid the attack, but the blade still cut her side. The Handmaiden let out a soft hiss of pain. The rifle was quickly torn from the pony’s grasp and tossed away. Truth grabbed his shoulder for leverage and stabbed him through the abdomen once, twice, and the third angled in such a way that the tip of the blade burst through the back of his neck.

Dropping the body, Truth spun to meet the pony that she sensed behind her. To her surprise, her katana clanged against another. One of the bastards had picked up her katana. Truth growled, grabbing the wrist of her inexperienced opponent and twisting his arm sideways. She brought her blade down on his foreleg, hacking through it. The stallion’s scream was quickly cut off along with his head.

Truth snatched up her second katana from the ground and caught the rifle blade meant for her back between the ‘X’ of her crossed swords.

“Shoot her.” she heard the griffon say. “Shoot her. Shoot her! Shoot her!” he roared.

Truth scrambled, managing to wrench the rifle away from the stallion before her and toss it away. She was on him in a flash, grabbing and turning him so they both faced towards the griffon and the stallion in the tricorne. The stallion brought his rifle up and fired just as Truth finished turning the raider towards him. The stallion jerked and grunted as Truth allowed his limp body to fall forward.

The griffon growled and pinned a half eaten apple to the side of the second carriage with a knife. He drew his broadsword and charged forward with a roaring battle cry. Truth sprinted forward to meet him. The griffon’s wings flared out when they were a dozen paces from the other. Truth stumbled half a step, her first plan ruined. Rather than fight the stumble and lose her momentum, Truth went into a roll, narrowly avoiding the griffon’s sword and coming up inside his guard.

They passed each other, coming to a halt a few paces away from the other. Truth heard the griffon’s breath, quick and shallow, reach a fevered pace before cutting out altogether as he fell to his knees and pitched forward onto the road with a dull thud.

Truth spared the griffon’s body a glance, her own breathing loud in her ears, before leveling her eyes with the remaining raider. He stared at her, eyes occasionally flicking to the griffon’s body. She took a step forward and he let out a yelp, dropping his rifle and tripping over himself as he tried to run away.

Truth ran to the second carriage, sheathing her katanas and pulling the knife from the apple. Taking a moment to aim, Truth threw the knife at the fleeing stallion. He grunted and pitched forward as the blade sank into his shoulder, crashing to the ground.

Truth let out a breath and leaned against the carriage, panting as the tension drained from her along with the adrenalin high the Extract had given her. Wearily, she moved to the carriage’s window.

“My Queen, you are safe now…”

Truth’s voice faded as she caught sight of Chrysalis’ companion. The mare was smaller than her Queen, a striking shade of pink. The wings on her back fluttered nervously and the horn on her head shimmered as her magic gripped something out of sight. The scent Truth had detected on her Queen before, this mare was the source. There were few ways that the scent would have ended up clinging to Chrysalis.

“Her?” Truth whispered.

There was a flash of green light as Chrysalis reverted to her normal form. She put a hoof on the pink mare’s side to calm her, giving Truth an almost pleading look. “Truth…” she said softly.

“Her?” Truth hissed.

A pained groan to her right drew the Handmaiden’s attention. The stallion in the tricorne was shakily getting to his hooves, the bloody knife clutched in a hoof. Their gazes met and the stallion let out a yelp, kicking up dirt as he scrambled to get away. Not bothering to spare her Queen a glance, Truth took off after him.

“Truth, wait!” Chrysalis cried as the Handmaiden sped away. Turning to her companion, Chrysalis said, “Wait here. If I’m not back before the guards arrive I’ll contact you later.”

“Chrysalis,” the mare said, grabbing the Changeling’s foreleg. “Who was that?”

“I’ll explain later, Cadance.” Chrysalis said, giving the pink alicorn a quick kiss. The Changeling Queen quickly undid the various magical locks that had sealed the carriage once the raiders attacked and stepped outside.

She saw Truth speeding off after a pony, vanishing into the fog.

“Damnit, Truth, why are you here?” Chrysalis muttered as she started after her Handmaiden.

Jenkins tripped and stumbled over what seemed like every loose stone in the path as he fled. He held his hat on his head with a hoof, coat flapping behind him. He saw a low stone wall up ahead, remembering that was where a bridge over a stream was. He collapsed against the wall when he reached it, gasping for breath.

There was the sound of fluttering wings and Jenkins spun around, knife still clutched in his hoof. The path behind him was empty.

Breathing heavily, Jenkins slowly turned in a circle, searching desperately for that… demon. He had no other idea what to call it. That thing had ripped through the others like a hot knife through jelly. It had killed Fallon. He completed the circle, seeing nothing but fog and mist from cliff where the stream fell to the ground below.

Suddenly something heavy slammed into his back, knocking the tricorne from his head and bearing him to the ground. The air was forced from his lungs by the impact, leaving him gasping again. The blow had also dislodged the knife from his hoof. He reached for it, only to have a black hoof press down on his foreleg, trapping it.

The demon bent down and picked up the knife, allowing him to get his foreleg back once it had straightened. Hesitantly, Jenkins got to his hooves.

“Listen, I don’t-”

He was cut off as the demon grabbed the front of his coat and slammed him back against the wall.

“Who are you?” the demon demanded, the voice distinctly female.

“M-me n-name’s Jenkins.” he answered, stuttering in fear.

“The griffon, who was he?”

“Captain Fallon.”

“And what was a griffon doing with a bunch of bandits like you?”

Jenkins gulped. “He came to us, him and the other ones.”

The demon slammed him against the wall again. “Other who?” she hissed.

“Other griffons! Four of ‘em!”

“And what did they want with you?”

“They said they needed us to conduct raids on caravans and they would provide better weapons.” Jenkins glanced fearfully at the knife the demon clutched in her other hoof. “Please, don’t kill me…” he begged.

“The other griffons, where are they?” the demon growled.

“We have a camp north of here. “I’ve got a map, just please don’t kill me.”

The demon grinned, revealing sharp fangs. “Oh don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you.”

She dropped the knife and grabbed the top of his mane, pulling his head to the side and exposing his neck.

“Wait!”

Jenkins felt the demon’s hot breath on his neck, felt her teeth on his throat, and then the world went black.

Chrysalis managed to catch up with Truth just in time to see the pony she had been chasing slump to the side. The Queen skidded to a halt, panting form the exertion. Truth glanced back at Chrysalis before bending down and throwing the pony over her shoulder.

“Did you,” Chrysalis took a moment to regain her breath. “Did you kill him?”

“No,” Truth answered curtly as she walked past Chrysalis, heading back towards the carriages.

Chrysalis caught sight of the stallion’s face, the eyes blanked out and the jaw slack.

“You’re mimicking him?” Chrysalis asked.

“Yes,” Truth replied.

Chrysalis sighed and began walking beside her Handmaiden. “Truth, what in Tartarus are you doing here? It’s not that I don’t appreciate the rescue, but why were you even here to do the rescuing?”

“I was following you.”

Chrysalis growled and quickly stepped in front of Truth, blocking her way. “Damnit, Truth, talk to me.”

Truth fixed Chrysalis with an angry stare. “Talk to you? Alright.” she unceremoniously dropped the stallion. “What the fuck are you doing with her?”

“I’m negotiating for the future well being of the hive.”

“Bullshit!” Truth spat, forgetting all decorum as she took a few steps forward, invading Chrysalis’ personal space. “I can smell her on you, right now.”

“She saved me, Truth.” Chrysalis said as she took a step closer herself. “I was an idiot and I nearly died trying to get to the Empire. She found me out there in the snow and she could have killed me with ease. But instead she smuggles me back inside her city and nurses me back to health.”

Truth snorted. “If I had been there…”

“You should have been Truth, and I nearly paid the price for not allowing you to accompany me.” Chrysalis sighed. “This is necessary, Truth. She’s helping us.”

Truth turned away. “You should have told me.”

“I didn’t know how you would react.”

Truth whirled around. “And how did you think I would react?” she demanded. “Hearing the news that the Queen who invaded Canterlot was gallivanting around with the very mare she impersonated?”

Chrysalis bared her fangs. “Watch your tongue, Handmaiden.”

Truth surprised herself with a sneer. “There’s a reason you need a protector, my Queen. We’re out here, alone. I could kill you right now and not a soul would ever know.”

Truth would have to admit the look of shock that passed over Chrysalis’ face was pleasing in a way.

However, Truth was far more surprised when Chrysalis bowed her head. “If that is what you think is best.”

“What?” Truth asked quietly.

“A Handmaiden’s loyalty is to her Queen, but also to her hive. If you think my death is best for the hive, kill me.” Chrysalis said.

Truth stood there frozen for a time. Finally she found her voice, “Chrysalis, please stand up.”

The Changeling Queen looked up. “You never call me “Chrysalis.’”

“You never presented your life to me. Get up, damnit.” Truth pulled Chrysalis to a standing position.

Chrysalis had something of a faint smile on her lips. “I knew you would make the right decision.”

“Shut it.” Truth growled as she bent to pick up the stallion.

“It’s very unbecoming of a Handmaiden to speak to her Queen in such a way.” Chrysalis noted.

“It’s very unbecoming of a Queen to get down in her knees in front of her Handmaiden, as well.” Truth said with a small smile.

Chrysalis’ smile grew larger. “There we go. Are we back to ‘okay’ at least?”

“Maybe.” Truth said as she started walked again, Chrysalis walking next to her. “What is going on, exactly?” she asked after a while.

Chrysalis took a breath. “When I heard news of the Crystal Empire’s return, I did not expect it to be run by Cadance. I also didn’t expect her to listen to my pleas for help. Her title is the Princess of Love and she can gather the finest of Extract provided she is close enough to a raw source.”

Truth nodded. “Interesting. She’s a bit more like us than I imagined. So the trips were for the Extract?”

Chrysalis nodded. “Yes. I paid her with money from the treasury because I had difficulty accepting it for free.”

“And how does her scent clinging to you come in?”

Truth was surprised to see a faint blush on her Queen’s cheeks. “She… she said she was having difficulty getting a source that day and that sexual energy was just as good. One thing led to another and….”

Chrysalis trailed off, the blush on her cheeks stronger now. They walked in silence for a while and just when the outline of the carriage became visible in the distance, Chrysalis spoke again.

“She’s pregnant.”

Truth stopped dead in her tracks. “She’s what?”

“I… it started out as a joke. Back during the invasion, I had made a disguise of her husband, just in case. When we were going to… you know, I transformed into him. It was a joke, but then she started kissing me and I….”

Chrysalis once again trailed off into silence, this time refusing to even look at Truth.

“Her husband, does he…?” Truth asked.

“He doesn’t even know she’s pregnant. We’ve been using spells to hide it and I’ve even taken her place when it’s necessary.” Chrysalis wrung her hooves. “We’re not sure what to do.”

“The foal could be a symbol of unification.” Truth offered.

Chrysalis looked back at the Handmaiden. “You… really think so?”

“It was bound to come out eventually what you were doing, and you wanted peace with the Crystal Empire anyway, right? This little love bug of yours could be exactly what’s needed to show that our two species can coexist.”

Chrysalis nodded. “Hm, yes. That could work.” she brought a hoof to her chin, as she often did while thinking. “I’ll have to speak with Cadance, but this sounds like just the thing.”

“Glad to help.”

They resumed walking and soon reached the carriages. Truth propped Jenkins against the side of the second carriage and went through his pockets, quickly coming up with a many times folded piece of paper. As soon as she confirmed it was a map and located the camp spot on it, she folded it back up and tucked it into her belt.

“There’s a camp for these bandits north of here,” Truth explained to Chrysalis. “I’ll need the right look to get in, so keep this one alive at least through the end of the day.”

Chrysalis nodded.

“What do you intend to do?” a hesitant voice from the carriage asked.

Truth turned to the voice’s source.

“I intend to learn who they are and why they’re here,” Truth replied. “And then I’ll probably kill them, Princess Cadenza.”

The pink alicorn seemed taken aback by the statement, but nodded.

Truth glanced at Chrysalis. “My Queen, you may want to untie those guards while I take care of this one.” she gestured to the stallion at her hooves.

Chrysalis seemed perplexed for a moment, but nodded and slipped back into the form of the blue mare. She trotted over to where the guards still knelt hog tied and blindfolded. Truth hoisted Jenkins up and dumped him on the carriage floor and then suddenly grabbed Cadance’s hooves in her own and pulled her close.

“Listen closely,” she whispered to the alicorn. “I care about my Queen and as far as I can tell, this love for her is genuine. But, if this is all some game, if you hurt her, I will hunt you down and I will kill you, I will kill your husband, and I will kill anyone else who gets in my way.”

A satisfying look of shock flashed over Cadance’s face, but she nodded. Then, her expression shifted to something akin to realization.

“You love her.”

Truth froze for a moment but quickly shook it off. “Then you know this is not some idle threat.”

A humorless chuckle escaped Cadance. “Neither is mine, Handmaiden. I bear no ill will to you or your hive, but I could have it all burned to the ground in the span of an afternoon if I wanted. I trust in Chrysalis, and she trusts in you. Do not betray that trust.”

“What are you two talking about?” Chrysalis asked as she trotted up to the carriage.

Truth and Cadance glanced at her before turning back to each other. “Your secret is safe with me.” Cadance mouthed to Truth. Aloud, she said, “Agreeing on the horridness of your morning breath.”

Truth nodded. “There are little rewards for all-night vigils.” she smiled.

“Har, har.” Chrysalis deadpanned.

The remaining guards were up and about, one coming over to the carriage as he looked around at the carnage Truth had wrought over the raiders. “Princess, we couldn’t see anything after they tied us up. What happened?” his gaze fell on Truth. “And who are you?”

“This one saved us,” Cadance said with a smile in Truth’s direction. “And as for who she is, I’m afraid that is none of your concern.”

The guard nodded and backed away. “Yes, ma’am.” the sound of charging hooves pulled everyone’s attention. “Sounds like the cavalry is arriving.” the guard noted.

Truth pulled her hooves from Cadance’s. “I’ll be off, then. My Queen, Princess,” she said, inclining her head to each before moving away from the carriages and back up the hill. She retrieved her knife and pistol from where they had been left during the fight before scurrying into the trees. She hid from view in the foliage as a white unicorn and a dozen or so armored pegasi arrived.

Truth leapt from tree to tree as quickly as she dared, picking up the pace when she was confident she was out of sight of the guards. Glancing occasionally at the map, Truth made her way north.

A few days later, Truth was once more sitting in on one of Silas’ little meetings, bored as usual. One of his lieutenants was droning on about the state of political standing in the hive. Another said that politics had little to do with it, that the problem was that Chrysalis had taken charge at too young an age. A third bemoaned the state of their troop numbers.

Truth scoffed quietly to herself. Every so often one of these fools would put forward the idea of a military coup, only for Silas to shoot it down. The General didn’t want a conflict, mostly because the number of soldiers at his direct command was little over a hundred while the rest of the army fit for battle was something around seven hundred.

“We cannot and will not attempt a military coup under any circumstances.” Silas stated for what must have been the fifth time. “Killing each other will not solve any problems, just create more.”

“Then how do you propose we take our hive back, General?” a lieutenant asked.”

“We use leverage.” Silas turned to Truth. “Leverage we are still waiting on.”

It took Truth a moment to realize she had been spoken to. Quickly sitting up from her slouch, the Handmaiden said, “There’s little new. The Queen leaves and she returns with more Extract.”

“But you have been following her as of late, yes?” Silas prompted.

Truth nodded. “Yes, General, but there’s nothing to report. She makes her way to the Empire, they get in a carriage and head into the city.”

There was a pause, the others leaning forward like they were expecting more.

“Is that it?” one asked.

“I didn’t follow her any farther.”

“What is the Extract’s source?” another lieutenant wondered out loud.

“Nothing good if she refuses to reveal it.” a third chimed in.

“She should tell us the source.” a fourth demanded.

“Brothers, peace.” Silas held his hoof up. “I am sure the Queen will reveal her source eventually. If not to us -” he looked to Truth “-then surely to her trusted Handmaiden.”

Truth nodded. “Surely, General.”

Chapter Three

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A Handmaiden’s Loyalty

“I dealt with the raiders’ camp,” Truth said as she stood in Chrysalis’ office.

The Changeling Queen glanced back at her handmaiden. “Ah,” she said, understanding. “Anything of note?”

“There were more than I expected,” Truth replied. “But, I have greatly reduced their numbers. It will take them months to recover. If they recover at all.”

Chrysalis nodded and went back to organizing the shelf of books in her office. It had been a week since the incident near the Crystal Empire. In that time, Truth had spent long hours thinking over what she had learned. Her Queen had engaged in a relationship with the ruler of the Crystal Empire, the very same mare that she had impersonated during the Invasion of Canterlot. Chrysalis was in some aspects betraying the hive and her people, but in a more tangible way she was helping the hive recover. Princess Cadenza was supplying Love Extract in great quantities to the hive, sending it with Chrysalis when the latter returned from her outing to the Empire.

To further complicate matters, not only was Cadenza’s husband unaware of her current relationship with Chrysalis, but also in the dark about his wife being pregnant. By Chrysalis’ doing, no less.

Traditionalists would not approve of such things. General Silas, to whom Truth was currently reporting in order to gain leverage over the Queen, certainly wouldn’t.

Truth had held her tongue for the time. Overwhelmed by all that had transpired, and was likely still transpiring. Worse still were her personal feelings for Chrysalis. Handmaidens and their charges developing a romantic relationship wasn’t unheard of. But Truth wasn’t sure if her feelings for her queen were romantic or just sexual frustration.

“I going to tell them.” Chrysalis said suddenly.

Truth blinked a few times. “What?”

“I’m going to tell them, the whole hive.” Chrysalis said, sounding more confident this time.

“My Queen, are you sure this is… the wisest course?”

Chrysalis nodded. “There’s no point in keeping it from them any longer. Especially with my plans.”

“If I may, what plans?” Truth asked.

“This child of mine and Cadance - Princess Cadenza. This child is to be born in a few months time and I do not plan to deprive them of either parent.” Chrysalis fixed Truth with a pointed gaze. “And I think my time as Queen of this hive is to end soon.”

Truth stayed silent, digesting the information.

“When will you make the announcement?” she asked after a time.

“In a week. I want Princess Cadenza here as well.” Truth made to speak, but Chrysalis stopped her with a gesture. “Please, it will be better this way. And if it is safety that is your concern, I have great confidence in you and the members of my Royal Guard.”

Truth closed her mouth and took a breath. “Very well.”

“This is an outrage!” Silas roared, causing more than a few of his lieutenants to wince.

Another week had passed, and only hours before, Chrysalis had made her announcement, Princess Cadenza at her side, Truth standing a few feet adjacent to them, and the whole of the Royal Guard surrounding them. There had been a few murmurs and even a shout or two from the crowd as Chrysalis informed her hive of what had happened, what was happening, and what was to happen. After the event ended, Truth had been told that Silas had called a meeting.

And the meeting began with the General’s above statement.

“Why did you not tell me of this?” Silas demanded, rounding on Truth.

Truth kept her expression neutral. “Perhaps it is because I did not know.”

Silas snorted. “It matters little now. We must act. Tonight,” he growled. “Tonight we will storm her house and remove her.”

The gathered lieutenants all looked around nervously, but it was Truth that voiced the thoughts in all their minds. “That’s suicide, General.”

Silas rounded on her again. “What?” he hissed.

“The entirety of the Royal Guard is patrolling her home and a good sized division of the army guards the way there.” Truth shook her head. “Your followers are many, but not that many.”

“But we have you, Handmaiden.”

Truth smirked. “You flatter me, General, but even I could not face so many of the Royal Guard and survive.”

“Then what do you suggest we do?” Silas growled.

Truth pondered this for a time, Silas and his lieutenants watching her closely. Finally, she spoke.

“If you intend to take this hive from the Queen, there can be no doubt in your position. You must remain pure, which means you must stop taking the Extract the Queen brings.”

Silas nodded grimly. “Very well, we all shall.”

Truth nodded and continued. “We cannot take her now, nor anytime soon. We must wait for the foal to be born.”

“Why?” one of the lieutenants asked.

Truth shot him a glare that seemed to make him shrink in his seat, but answered his question anyway. “The child is the key. Once we have it, the Queen will bow to our every command.”

Silas took a moment to think this over before nodding. “Very well. But, how are we supposed to take the child from her?”

Truth smiled. “I will continue to listen, General. In the meantime, no meeting will be called without my say-so, and any who do not follow my instructions will join Colonel Gisei in retirement.” She cast her gaze around the assembled. “Understood?”

They all nodded.

“Then lie back and wait.”

Little of note happened in the months that followed. Once more Truth divided her time between looking after her Queen and training. She followed Chrysalis everywhere, only allowing the Queen to be more than a few dozen paces away when an important task was required.

Silas and his ilk grew more and more restless with each passing week, the General sending couriers to hound her for news. Each time a courier was sent, it always seemed to be at a very inopportune time. They interrupted her training, interrupted her meditating, interrupted her private meetings with Chrysalis. One even sought her out while she was bathing just a few pools away from Chrysalis in the hot springs. Worse yet, it was always the same changeling that seemed all too happy to hound her. She eventually snapped and broke one of his legs, claiming he had interrupted her while she was training and she accidentally attacked him.

Silas left her in peace after that.

Truth knew what he was after. Since Chrysalis’ announcement, both he and his soldiers had kept to her doctrine of keeping away from the Love Extract that Chrysalis brought to the hive, and by the time Queen Chrysalis and Princess Cadenza’s child was born, they had withered to a state worse than that of the Invasion.

“She’s lovely, isn’t she Truth?” Chrysalis cooed, holding the recently born hybrid foal in her forelegs.

Truth, Chrysalis, Princess Cadenza, and the foal were currently in the Royal Infirmary, a private medical inside the Queen’s home. It was small, but well stocked and staffed. The nurses and doctors had left not long after the birth, only occasionally popping in to check on the foal.

Truth had been standing at the entrance to the infirmary the entire time, not seeing the scene as she watched the halls, but certainly hearing it. While she couldn’t say if the experience completely dissuaded her from having foals, it certainly did make the idea a tad unappealing.

Truth nodded in response to Chrysalis’s question, the foal’s appearance certainly being what one might call ‘adorable.’

“Do you want to hold her?” Cadenza asked her from her spot in the bed.

Truth looked at the alicorn with surprise. The two of them had hardly interacted at all since the incident with the raiders. And yet she was offering to allow a creature she knew to be a skilled killer hold her child?

Is she just being polite? Truth wondered.

Chrysalis offered the blanket wrapped foal to Truth. “Go on,” she said softly.

Hesitantly, Truth took the foal from Chrysalis. She felt ridiculous, standing there, holding a child with a sword on her back and a gun in her belt. The foal seemed to be asleep at the moment, her tiny features certainly stirring something in the Handmaiden’s chest.

The foal suddenly awoke, yawning cutely and managing to pull one of her diminutive forelegs from the blanket. The foal stared up at Truth, her shiny black eyes staring at the Handmaiden with curiosity. Truth made to give the foal back to Chrysalis, but the Changeling Queen held a hoof up, observing the scene playing out.

Truth looked back at the foal, teal eyes meeting obsidian orbs. The foal stared her down, idly nibbling on her hoof. After a time, the foal yawned and snuggled up closer to Truth’s chest, placing her hoof on the Handmaiden.

“She trusts you.” Chrysalis said softly.

Truth nodded silently. The hatchlings of a Queen rarely took any other creature besides their parents, especially this early in life. Why did the foal like her? Was it because the child was a hybrid? Did she just smell appealing?

Truth didn’t know, and at the moment didn’t care. She cradled the foal a little closer to herself, feeling calmer than she had in weeks.

Truth did come to a conclusion on one thing in that moment.

Silas was getting this foal over her dead body.