With Twilight Sparkle's coronation comes new dangers, not from the outside, but from within. To keep her safe, Princess Celestia is forced to turn to a single prisoner for help, Saber Alabaster, an assassin.
With Twilight Sparkle's coronation comes new dangers, not from the outside, but from within. To keep her safe, Princess Celestia is forced to turn to a single prisoner for help, Saber Alabaster, an assassin. If Saber can gain Twilight, and the new temperamental captain's trust then they just might survive what's coming.
Purgatory, the most infamous prison in all the kingdoms was every version of hell anyone could imagine. Saber Alabaster had spent three years within the high stone walls surrounding the mountain prison that was isolated from the rest of the world. There were hundreds of other poor souls sharing his hell as well. Everyone there had either done something horrible, or horribly pissed off the wrong people. Saber had done both. He was under constant surveillance by either the idiotic guards or the warden himself.
Even when he was put in the mountain’s mines for hard labor there’d always be at least four guards waiting, itching, hoping he’d slip up just so they could put him down. He couldn’t blame them. In fact he’d feel insulted if they didn’t take such drastic steps they did to secure him. He was Equestria’s best assassin after all. He was being kept separate from the other prisoners and his so called cell was just a hole underground with a large piece of an iron cage put on top.
The hole was at least fifty feet deep and twelve feet in diameter. The guards used a wooden platform connected to a chain and pulley to take him to and from the mines, along with lowering the scraps of food they occasionally sent down. The hole was not protected in any way from the elements. One blessing was that by the time he left the mines for the day, the hole was cool and the dirt was not hard as stone.
He opened his turquoise eyes one night and saw the full moon illuminating several figures in dark hoods descending on the lift. There were about ten of them in total and they were all wearing dark cloaks that hid their faces. Saber stood up still half asleep and was about to ask what was happening when a gag was shoved in his mouth and a bag was thrown over his head. He felt them shackle his wrists and ankles before shoving him onto the lift. He heard the chain being pulled as they ascended out of the pit.
Once they were at the top he felt the brisk night air against his skin. They walked across the courtyard before the hooded figures shoved him into a cart. Saber heard horses whinnying and the snap of reigns before the carriage started moving. The long uncomfortable ride lasted several days possibly over a week. The bag was always on his head and was only removed when they stopped to relieve themselves.
The shackles were never removed and he was always under guard. He was given small bits of bread and little water during the trip. One day he was roughly pulled out of the cart. The bag and gag were removed and he coughed suddenly and did his best to get the gag’s taste out of his mouth by spitting on the ground.
Saber winced as his eyes were assaulted by the sudden light of the sun. He looked up in the sky and saw that it was late in the afternoon. Looking forwards, Saber noticed he was in front of a large shining palace made of white stone. His chains were tugged roughly and he was pulled inside by the holder of the chains. The white marble floors had veins of pyrite running through it. It described how the noble class was, shining and valuable on the outside, but only a fool would think that they’re actually worth something.
The ten men in hoods surrounded him and walked him in a diamond formation. His chains being held by the tip of the diamond. His turquoise colored eyes glance to the sides and managed to make out several sword handles. The one directly to his right had a golden stallion head that had pieces of citrine in the eye sockets.
The one to his left had what looked like a black raven head with two sapphires for eyes. Sun Breaker and Moon Wind. He knew those swords, or at least heard of them and the men who wielded them “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of having Solaris Clarion and Artemis Tempest, the Princesses’ personal guards escorting me?” He heard a grunt come from the left one. He was getting under their skin, good.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Solaris said in a flat tone. His eyes discretely glared at each of the guards, sizing them up. If just one of the guards were a few feet closer he could take their weapon and kill everyone within ten feet of him in under a minute. The chains would be a problem, but nothing he couldn’t work with.
“Don’t even think about it.” The guard on the left hissed. Saber took a moment to actually look at the situation he had landed himself in. Why would the Princesses’ body guards come and collect him personally? They could have sent any of the other mindless drones to do that and where were they taking him? He closed his eyes and could smell fresh oil on the blades. Of course, the oil makes sure blood doesn’t stick to the metal and rust it. He was going to die.
His heart instinctively started beating faster as the possibility of death seemed to become the definite outcome. They’d probably toss his body in a ditch somewhere, or cut him up and scatter his remains to the far reaches of the world. He would smack himself if his shackles hadn’t hindered him. Fear cuts deeper than any blade. The phrase echoed through his mind and he let out a few deep breaths to calm himself.
After several minutes of walking through the castle, the group stopped in front of a pair of large golden doors. Eight of the men lined up next to one another in front of either of the doors. The guard beside him walked forward and yanked the chain leading to his shackled wrists. “Move.” Saber hissed at the man and reluctantly trudged forward.
He kept his head high, if he was going to die then he would do so on his feet. The doors opened and light flooded his eyes. He winced and heard the two knights beside him had removed their cloaks. He knew their faces well.
Solaris was a man in his late forties with red hair and beard that had a few streaks of grey running through it. His amber colored eyes were deep and held much wisdom and experience. His golden armor shined like burning fire in the sun light. Artemis was younger, no older than thirty and his hair was a dark shade of purple that brought out his bright blue eyes. His armor was tinted dark blue with silver highlights and chainmail underneath.
His eyes slowly adjusted to the light and looked forward through his filthy white bangs that remained unkempt and covered in dirt. His eyes shrank as he saw three women sitting in front of him, each one sitting on a regal throne. The one on the right had hair that looked like the starry night sky. She had dark blue wings coming from her back that matched her regal dress. On the far left, the woman’s hair was striped with pink, yellow and light purple. Like the other, she had wings coming from her back only they were bright pink and matched her gown.
In the center stood a woman standing seven feet tall. Her multi colored hair flowed like a sparkling river, but was held back by a golden crown placed upon her head. Her white wings were larger than the others. His heart gave pause a beat as he realized who he was standing in front of, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadence, the most powerful women on the continent, possibly the world.
As they stood, all the guards in the room dropped to one knee and bowed in respect. Saber only leered in anger at the three and stood tall. He would not bow to his captors. The blue armored guard gripped his sheathed blade and slammed him in the gut with the handle. Saber cursed and dropped to his knees before Artemis slammed his face against the marble floor. The guard had just earned himself a nice cozy spot on Saber’s hit list.
“Bow before the royal family.” At this close distance Saber could take the fool’s sword and ram it through his chest before he knew what happened. Solaris cleared his throat and tapped his hand against the golden handle. Saber grunted through gritted teeth and stared back at his dirt covered reflection that cast against the shimmering marble. His skin was more of a filthy grey color thanks to all the dust and dirt that had accumulated on him from the mines.
“Enough,” Celestia stated in a firm tone. Artemis huffed and removed his hand from the man’s filthy white hair. “Solaris and Artemis remain. All others are dismissed.”
“Your highness, I don’t think it is wise to,” Solaris was cut off as Celestia looked at him. Her magenta eyes fixated on the man. “As you command, your highness.” He gestured to the other guards who saluted and made their way out of the room. Saber stayed down until he heard the door shut. Saber then slowly brought his head up and glared at the three Princesses who slowly approached him.
“Whatever you’re going to do, do it quickly.” Saber said as he spat out a little blood on the clean floor. Luna glared at him and the two remaining guards pulled out their blades. Solaris’ was a long broad sword, while Artemis’ was thinner and had a curved edge. He could tell that the blades had been sharpened recently.
“Get him on his feet.” Artemis grabbed the prisoner and stood him on his feet. Saber’s heart started beating fast again as Solaris approached him with his blade drawn. If they came to watch him beg for mercy, they’d be sorely disappointed. He would retain whatever pride he had left.
He stood still and waited for the cold steely embrace of death. Yet nothing came. He felt no steel against his neck, nor his blood spilling from his body. He opened his eyes and looked at Solaris in confusion. The man had anger in his eyes and kept the blade steady in his hand. The tips of the blades just inches from his throat as the two guards stood next to him.
“Aren’t you going to kill me?” He said in a surprised tone.
“No,” Celestia said in a calm yet firm tone. “I have a proposal for you.”
“What kind of proposal?” Saber said not letting his guard down yet. This had to be some sort of trick or ruse to lure him into a false sense of security.
“The kind that get’s you out of Purgatory.” Silence enveloped the room for minutes on end. Finally, the assassin spoke up.
“You so much as blink and I’ll cut you down where you stand assassin.” Solaris stepped away, but remained within striking distance. Saber huffed at the threat as Celestia approached him. She moved with natural grace and her white dress flower like her hair. She winced at the odor coming from the prisoner.
“Sorry for the smell, it’s been a while since I’ve had a bath.” He grinned at the princesses discomfort.
“Tell us, how long have you been imprisoned in Purgatory?” Celestia asked as she did her best to ignore the smell.
“Three years, maybe that and a month? Hard to keep track of time when you spend every day with little to no sunlight.” The mines were deep underground. He and the other prisoners are already in the mine when the sun rises and they don’t leave until the evening when the sun is just starting to set.
“Remarkable considering the life expectancy is less than a year.” Artemis stated.
“Has he made any escape attempts?” Celestia asked looking at the fair haired man.
“Only once, he ran from the mine after taking down several guards-”
“Twelve,” Saber corrected. “if you’re going to tell the story then please, tell it accurately.” The blue armored guard grumbled at the interjection.
“Twelve guards before he made it to the edge of the wall. Then was knocked unconscious.” That had earned him six lashings, three weeks in the box and his current status as living in a pit. It was worth it. Saber chuckled at the words. “Despite the feat you still failed.”
“Only because I let my emotions get the better of me and took care of something personal.” He said as he looked down at the white marble floor. “Be grateful I only killed a dozen and not the other ones I hurt.”
“Why didn’t you kill them too?” Cadence said finally piping up.
“Personal reasons. The others were just unlucky enough to get in my way.” He shrugged.
“Many of them have broken arms, cracked ribs, or several other serious injuries.” Solaris clarified.
“Please send them a bouquet of flowers on my behalf.” His comment earned him scowls from the other people in the room. “Now let’s get down to business shall we?” His tone became more serious.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve to demand anything.” Luna glared at him.
“The only reason I’m still breathing is because you want something from me.” Saber stated as he looked at Celestia. He set his gaze on the three princesses. “So what do you want?” The Princesses looked at one another. Celestia huffed and straightened her posture.
“We’re offering you a chance to buy your way out of prison.” Saber had not been expecting that. He didn’t let his confusion and interest show and remained silent. “We need someone who has experience in your field of expertise.”
“I suppose you want me to kill someone?” He raised an eyebrow.
“The opposite in fact,” Celestia said. Now Saber was even more confused. “I want you to keep someone safe. You’d be released from the mines and if you do your job well then you might get a pardon and walk away a free man.” She put extra emphasis on the word might.
“And just who would I be guarding? If it’s your nephew then just take me back to the mines. It’ll be less annoying.” The two guards shuddered at the mention of Prince Blueblood. A royal pain in everyone’s ass.
“Have you heard of the Elements of Harmony?” Luna questioned. Saber had heard some small rumors before he was imprisoned. Apparently six women were chosen to wield some enchanted artifacts and managed to seal away the God of Chaos, remnants of an evil mage king, helped stop a Changeling invasion and sealed away a massive magical demon.
“Only a little, I’ve never been concerned with politics.”
“So you’re unaware that there is a new Princess?” Luna stated in a flat tone. He’d heard small whispers of a new member to the royal family from the guards, but he thought it was just a stupid rumor. “Needless to say, there are people who are not pleased by it and may take steps to do her harm.”
“And you want me to protect this new Princess?” Celestia gave a reluctant nod. “Why not just get some of your dogs to do it?” He shot a look at Artemis who tightened his grip on the blade.
“Our guards are not trained to deal with expert assassins.” Celestia said. “You are.”
“Why not go to other assassins?”
“We can’t trust them.” Cadence stated. Saber chuckled at the answer.
“And why do you think you can trust me?” He said arching an eyebrow.
“Because we have the one thing you want and we’re the only ones who can give it to you.” Luna stated.
“And if I refuse?” Celestia took in a deep breath and glared right at the man.
“Then you go back into the mines and stay there for the rest of your life.” Saber instinctively gulped. The two guards each felt a small smile tug at the corners of their mouths. He wouldn’t last another year in that hell, let alone the rest of his life.
“So either I agree to do what you say or die a slow painful death?” The Princess’s faces remained neutral. “Of course, that’s how you royals work.” Hit tone had enough venom in it to put down ten men. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news Princess, but I’ve been rotting away in a mine for the past few years and the experience has more than taken it’s tole.”
He lifted up his filthy scrap of cloth that hung off his shoulders to show his chest. The pink winged Princess averted her eyes from the sight. His filthy skin was stretched across his ribs and there were clear signs of starvation and abuse. Laceration marks from whips, bruising and signs of broken bones showed up like a map of pain on the man’s body.
“So you won’t do it?”
“Just stating the fact that I’ve been in better shape. The warden certainly knows how to make a man such as myself feel right at home.” He covered his chest once more with the cloth. “If I accept, then how long will I be in your servitude?”
“If things go smoothly and you do your job, five years.” Saber poked his tongue against the inside of his mouth and tilted his head toward the ceiling.
“Okay, five years. Will I be paid?”
“You’ll have a roof over your head, food that doesn’t taste rotten and no chains around your wrists. I’d say that’s payment enough.” Luna said. She wasn’t wrong. A hay bale in horse stables would be more accommodating than spending another night in that pit.
“And how do I know that as soon as I’ve served my time you won’t just make me disappear?” He said in a skeptic tone.
“I give you my word.” Celestia said in a firm tone.
“The word of a Princess? I’d sooner trust a man with a pocket full of wooden bits.” Solaris pressed his blade against Saber’s throat. The assassin only grinned. “Seems I struck a nerve.” Celestia motioned for Solaris to lower his blade. The knight did so, although begrudgingly. “Why in the name of whatever god there is should I trust you?”
“Because this is the only chance you’ll get of getting out of that place alive.” Celestia’s tone grew serious. The two locked eyes and the air in the room became so tense it became hard to breath.
“On that, we’re in agreement.” He gave a heavy sigh and looked at the ground. He picked up his head and looked at the three Princesses. “You have yourself a deal, but I do want a few favors before we begin.”
“Bargaining?” Luna narrowed her eyes.
“It’s nothing outside your power or some ludicrous request.” Saber stated. “I want everything you took from me before I was sent to Purgatory. If I’m to do my job I need the right equipment.” Celestia pondered for a moment.
“Done, although it will take some time to procure them and you’ll only be allowed access to them under strict supervision.” That was to be expected.
“Also, I want some time to get back in shape. With the way I am now I’m sure even one of your guards could wipe the floor with me.” He said as he looked down at his gangly frame.
“We were about to get to that.” Celestia stated. “You’ll be allowed full use of the Royal Guard’s training services. You’ll be staying in one of the castle rooms for the duration and will be escorted everywhere you go.”
“I’m glad we’re starting off this new partnership by placing so much trust in one another.” He understood the precautions they were taking, he’d be insulted otherwise. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t take a few shots when he could. “So which mindless dog is going to watch me?” He looked between Artemis and Solaris who held stern expressions.
“That would be me.” A female voice rang out. Saber turned towards the farthest corner in the room and his eyes shrank. A woman with flowing raven black hair made her way forwards. Her golden eyes were focused on the man like a hawk about to swoop down on it’s prey. She was wearing some silver chest and leg armor, a similarly styled vambrace on her gloved right forearm. Her left hand resting on the silver handle of her sword and the other on her hip.
He recognized her immediately, Ebony Northwind, one of the youngest recruits to ever be accepted into the Royal Guard. She quickly rose through the ranks and was soon given the nickname; ‘The Panther’ for her ferocity in combat and her jet black hair. He’d heard rumors about her, but this was the first time he’d actually laid eyes on her. “Never thought I’d actually meet the infamous Panther.”
“That’s Lieutenant to you,” She hissed.
“Congratulations on being a glorified thug,” He said with a roll of his eyes.
“This coming from an assassin?” He had to give her that one. The only difference between the two of them was that he got paid and she worked for the kingdom, well technically he worked for the kingdom now as well. Saber shifted his gaze back to Celestia.
“So she’s my escort? Wonderful, I’m sure we’ll become great friends.” He said in a sarcastic tone. “Any more surprises?”
“Just one more thing,” Solaris pointed a finger at him and a spell circle formed around his neck. Saber felt as if someone had just dragged a hot piece of metal around his neck and clutched his flesh in pain as his knees hit the floor.
“What did you just do to me?” He coughed as the pain faded.
“Should you try to escape that will activate and explode.” Solaris’s eyes narrowed on the man as he glared back at him. They really weren’t taking any chances.
“Anything else?” He huffed as he winced from the stinging of the mark that soon turned to a dull throbbing pain.
“No, you are free to go to you quarters.” With that, he was ushered away from the large room by Ebony ,who had a firm grip on his chains and watched him like a hawk. Once they were gone, Cadence looked at her aunt in concern.
“Celestia, I’ve never once doubted you before, but can we really trust him?” She said in an unsure tone.
“We must agree with Cadence sister. Do we really want someone like him protecting Twilight Sparkle?” Celestia looked at her guard and sister before letting out a heavy sigh.
“I know it is a gamble, a large one at that, but I believe that he is the only one capable of protecting Twilight.” She looked at Solaris who held an equally worried look on his face. “Keep an eye on him.” The two guards nodded and escorted the Princesses back to their quarters in silence.
After his meeting with the Princesses, Saber soon found himself in a small twenty by twenty foot room. A simple twin bed was in the far corner and a desk was near a barred window. It may have looked simple to any other person, but to him it might have well have been paradise. There was also a large bath. In the mines if you needed to relieve yourself you’d need to find a corner and you could forget about privacy. Every time you turned your back you were at risk of someone taking something from you; your food, water, anything you may have smuggled and more importantly, your pride.
Some poor saps mistook him for fresh meat and tried to jump him when he had his back turned. Biggest mistake of their lives, apart from whatever they did to land themselves in that pit in the first place. After he dispatched the fools no one dared make the same mistake.
The only ones who made his life hell were the guards and the warden who was under strict orders to keep him alive for as long as possible so he could suffer. As for cleanliness and bathing, once in a while the guards would use water spells or hoses that blasted out water fast enough to rip at your skin. A quick jerk on the shackles on his wrists brought him back to reality. “Hurry up and strip.” Ebony hissed as she pulled him into the restroom.
“At least buy me a pint and a meal first.” She responded by pulling her blade a few inches out of her sheath. He rolled his eyes and presented his wrists to her. “Unless you plan to wash me, I’ll need my hands.” She slid the blade back in it’s sheath and grabbed the key from her pocket. She pointed the key at him and narrowed her eyes.
“If you even think about running,“ He held up his shackled hands as a gesture to stop her from talking.
“Oh for god’s sake, you people must read from the same book.” He said in an irritated tone. “I’m fairly certain even a child could handle me while I’m in this state.” She huffed and put the key in the slot and unlocked the restraints. She let the shackles fall to the ground and clatter against the stone floor.
Ebony made her way out of the room and slammed the door behind her. Saber looked at the bathroom and there was only a barred glass window to let steam out. He set the bath to run and looked out the window. He could see almost all of Canterlot from the tiny window. He looked down and saw what had to be over a five-hundred foot drop to the ground.
No getting out that way and the bars have to be reinforced steel. He peeled the remains of his clothes off his body and slowly slid himself into the tub. He felt as if he was getting a full body massage that were treating all the pain he’d suffered in that hell hole. Soon, the clear water turned dark from the filth that had clung to him like a second skin. There was a hard knock on the door.
“Hurry up.” Ebony barked.
“Woman, I’ve been trapped in a death camp with no warm water for years. So would you kindly shut up and leave me in peace for ten minutes?” Saber heard the woman grumble and he returned to washing himself. His whole body ached as the warm water released all the kinks that had formed in his joints. He stood up out of the bath and looked in the mirror.
He looked like a ghoul you’d hear about in children’s ghost stories. He drained the now grey colored water out of the tub and changed into the clothes they’d given to him. It was a simple brown tunic and similar matching pants. It felt good to have something a little more than scraps hanging on his form. He started to inspect himself in the mirror after dressing and was somewhat pleased with what he saw.
He needed to trim his hair at some point as it was getting in the way of his face and would be a pain to contend with along with the patchy beard on his face. Another series of harsh knocks fell on the door. “I’ll be out in a minute. Impatience isn’t very becoming of you.”
“Hurry up or your food will get cold.” That made Saber pause. Food? Actual food? He shook his hair dry like a dog would and threw the door open. Sure enough sitting on his desk was a platter with a covering and some utensils on the side.
He quickly made his way over and removed the lid to see a prime flank steak cooked to perfection, a dollop of mashed potatoes and green beans cooked with almonds. The smell alone made him even hungrier than before, if that were possible. Saber quickly sat himself down and shoveled the food into his mouth. He didn’t even bother to use the fork and knife for the steak and picked it up with his hands. With every bit the juices absorbed by the meat oozed out and filled his mouth with flavor. It had to be the best steak he’d ever eaten.
“I would slow down and not each so much if I were you.” Saber looked to his right and saw Amber, still in her armor, sitting in a chair with one of her legs crossed over the other. A smirk spread across her face. “I always thought you were a mad dog and seeing you like this just proves it.” Saber ignored her and allowed his senses to be further entranced by the meat.
Two hours later, Saber was in agony as he held a trash can and emptied his dinner into it. His stomach felt as if it were about to burst. He should’ve known that his stomach had shrunk since his imprisonment. “I told you not to eat so much.” Ebony said with an amused smile on her face.
“Isn’t there someone else you can annoy?” He hissed. The clock tower in Canterlot Square chimed ten times. Ebony stood up and made her way towards the door.
“Get your rest. You’re gonna need it for tomorrow.” She said with a wicked grin on her face.
“Thanks for the encouragement.” He said dryly as she walked out into the hallway.
“Just in case you get bored and try to go snooping,” Saber looked towards the door and saw two guards in full armor on either side of the doorway look inside. “these two gentlemen will be more than happy to keep you company.” With those words, she left Saber and head back to her quarters. Saber spent the next hour or so vomiting up the food he’d eaten before he eventually crawled into bed and stared up at the ceiling trying to get to sleep.
The next day, Ebony walked in to see Saber asleep on the floor with the covers pulled off the mattress and messily pulled over his body. “Wake up!” Her loud voice stirred the man who looked at Ebony and sighed heavily.
“Five more minutes,” He said turning back over in his makeshift bed. Ebony walked up and kicked his leg. “Fine.” He said getting up and walked into the bathroom to wash his face.
“Why were you on the floor?” She asked looking at the strewn covers and pillow.
“I’m not used to sleeping on a bed so I couldn’t get comfortable.” He said as he dried his face and walked out. “So where to?”
“First some breakfast then training grounds, now hurry up and try not to empty your stomach this time.” Saber followed her out the door and two guards each holding a spear followed them. He technically was still a prisoner after all. Saber settled for an apple before going down to the training area. The training grounds was more like a large courtyard with a plethora of different weapon racks and obstacle courses.
There was a drill instructor with short cut blonde hair and golden wings. His grey T-shirt seemed to stretch against his muscles. “Finally, let’s get down to business.” He barked. They decided to warm up with a few laps around the practice course.
On the second lap, Saber started to lag behind and his lungs felt like they were on fire. He had to stop halfway through the third lap to catch his breath. “Hurry up, there are at least a dozen other things to do today.” The trainer barked. Saber grunted at the trainer’s words and could see Ebony smiling slightly at his discomfort.
He finished the laps and walked over to a rack that had several bars welded to it. “Get to it.” Saber jumped up and grabbed the bar and started brining his chest level with the bar. Ebony was surprised by how many he could do despite his current frail form. Saber steadied himself on his knees and panted as Ebony walked up to him.
“I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t think you’d be able to do more than two.” She crossed her arms under her chest.
“We had to use pick axes and sledge hammers in the mines.” He said as he went over to a water spice and held his head under it as the cold refreshing water washed over him.
“They let you use tools like that?”
“What’d you expect us to use to mine rock with, our finger nails?” He said with a hint of sarcasm. “Granted we were under constant supervision and if you ever tried using them as weapons you get three lashes across the back.” He winced slightly as he remembered the sting of the whip on his flesh.
“It’s a disciplinary method.” Saber turned the water off and pushed his hair out of his face.
“No, sometimes the guards did it if they were just bored and wanted to watch us squirm or beg for mercy. Something they never heard from me.” Ebony frowned at the assassin.
“Everyone in there deserved what they got.” He tone was steady and colder than any winter.
“For some, however there were a few people that never did anything wrong.” He said as he dried his face off. “I remember talking with some kid there, couldn’t be older than fifteen. Want to know what he did?” She shook her head as she pondered why one so young would be sent to a death camp. “Nothing, he was some nobleman’s bastard he had with a prostitute and he didn’t want anyone to find out. So, the kid was kidnapped, his mother’s throat was slit and was shipped off to die in a hole.” Ebony glared at him at how calmly the words came from his lips.
“The kid was one of the few nice ones there.” The guard had a look of disbelief on her face. “Are you really that surprised? Stuff like that happens all the time. Of course I wouldn’t expect a refined individual such as yourself to know anything about the poor and needy.” Ebony ground her teeth and glared daggers into the man as he left to continue his training.
By mid day, Saber had gone through several rounds of crunches, pull ups and laps around the whole course. The next part was sparring practice. The guard facing him had short blonde hair and was built like a brick wall. His shirt stretched across his chest and Saber could see that his abs could be used to grind meat.
Saber cracked his neck and took a stance foreign to the guard. “Begin!” The large guard rushed forwards and tried to nail him with a right hook. Saber quickly dodged the blow and could see the man’s arm muscles contracting. Even he knew that if he took one bad hit from the guard it’d be all over. He quickly got some distance between himself and the brute.
“Quit dancing around and fight.” The guard snarled as he charged again.
“But dancing is so much more fun.” Saber ducked under another right hook, but this time landed a few blows to the man’s stomach and right thigh with his open palms. Saber felt the wall of muscle that was his stomach. The guard brought his knee up and slammed it into Saber’s gut. The assassin grunted in pain as he was launched onto his back. Saber panted as he stood up to see the man charging at him.
As he came within five feet the guard’s right leg gave out and he stumbled. That one flaw was more than enough for assassin to strike. Saber lashed out with incredible speed and got in close to the larger man. He slammed his palm into the guard’s chin and kicked him in the stomach. Without missing a beat, he whirled around with his other hand open and slammed it into the man’s muscle bound stomach.
Saber felt the man’s wall of hard muscle against his palm. It was as if he was hitting a wall of solid wood. The blow sent the man on his back and he wailed in pain as he clutched his stomach. As he tried to get up, he coughed up a torrent of blood and the trainer called the sparring match over. “Well, that was disappointing.” Saber said as Ebony walked up to him hand on her sword blade. She looked at the blood soaked guard and then back to Saber.
“What did you just do?”
“I won.” He said in a proud tone. “I thought that was the point.”
“I meant how did you do it? I’ve never seen anyone fight like that before.” She said in a stagnant tone. He simply shrugged with an oblivious look on his face.
“When you’re in my profession you tend to learn a few things.” The first day of training was over. Saber was escorted back to the room by Ebony who kept her eyes on the man at all times. As they walked by the cafeteria, they caught the attention of several guards who started to point and whisper at the two. “We’re quite popular.” Saber commented in a flippant tone. “Do any of them know about me?”
“On paper you’re officially dead.” She said in a stagnant tone as they walked through the halls. “Died in a prison fight if I remember correctly.”
“Dead man walking?” He smirked. “I suppose it’s for the best. After all how would it look if the press and neighboring countries found out that the Princesses of Equestria and Crystal Empire came to an assassin for help?” Ebony huffed at the smug tone as they reached his room. She opened the door and pushed him inside. “I don’t get to enjoy your company today?” He said as Ebony unshackled him.
“I have other duties besides babysitting you.” She said before closing the door to his cell with a hard slam.
“What am I supposed to do, twiddle my thumbs?” Ebony walked away without uttering a word to him. He slumped against the wall and groaned in boredom. He face towards the ceiling and took in a deep breath as he laid down on his bed. He thought about Purgatory and all those poor souls trapped there.
He thought about the back breaking labor they forced on the sick and elderly. Most of them were slaves brought by the Changeling Imperium. A few years ago, Queen Chrysalis rallied several supporters and even had the gall to attack Equestria openly. Her attempt failed miserably and she fled back to her lands with what forces she had. After her return, she seized control of the Changeling throne and declared war on the rightful rulers who went into hiding and the surrounding countries were feeling her wrath.
Anyone under the suspicion of aiding them or any of her enemies were met with the sword, or worst, put into Purgatory. He’d met several supporters of the rightful rulers, the ones who didn’t go mad or were put to the sword anyway. Saber was shaken from his thought as he heard a hard knock on the door. Saber walked up and slid the piece of wood aside to see Princess Celestia standing with her arms crossed and Solaris by her side. “What do you want?”
“Stand at the far edge of the room and don’t move.” The guard barked. Saber did as he asked and walked to the back of the room and stood against the wall as the door opened and the two stepped inside before closing the door behind them.
“So, to what do I owe the pleasure of the company of a Princess and her loyal lap dog?” Solaris grit his teeth as Saber crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. A bored and unimpressed look strewn across his face.
“We saw that guard who’m you fought.” Celestia stated in a stern tone as her rose colored eyes focused on Saber. “He has internal damage to his liver and one kidney.” She stated.
“How did you do this in your state?” Solaris had been a guard nearly all his adult life and had never seen anyone fight the way he did. Saber gave a neutral shrug brushing the question off as though it were a spider crawling on his arm. The visitors frowned at his silence.
“I’m here to get back in shape so I can protect this new Princess. I don’t need to explain my methods.” A thought came into the man’s head and a wry smile spread across his face. “However, we might be able to help one another out.” He said in a relaxed tone. “You see I can’t help but feel incredibly bored while I’m cooped up in here. It would be a big help if I could get some entertainment.” Solaris quirked an eyebrow. “Give me access to your library and then we’ll see about talking.”
“I think we might be able to arrange something like that, but you’ll only be allowed to look at the books I approve.” Solaris said in a flat tone.
“Fine.” He cracked his neck and sighed. “I’ve trained with many different kinds of people, both in and out of Equestria. Throughout my career I’ve developed my own fighting style that bypasses the tradition bruises and breaking of bones into something a little more efficient.” He smiled a brutal smile.
“With my skill and vast knowledge of the human body I know exactly where to hit to incapacitate or kill a man without leaving a trace that I did it.” Solaris narrowed his eyes. “That’s all you’re getting for now. Now a deal was a deal.” Ten minutes later Saber was walking through the doors of the castle’s library with Solaris by his side.
He couldn’t help but gawk as he saw the tens of thousands of books laid out before him on shelves, stacks and others were being piled on carts and moved to different areas. “I’m probably going to have to take some back to my room.”
“Do as you wish, but you need to make a formal request with the librarian.” Solaris pointed to an older gentleman with half moon shaped glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. “Just be careful, because no god will be able to save you from him if you mistreat his books.”
~~~
Hours later, Ebony returned from her duties and went to check on her charge. As she walked through the hallways the male guard either stiffened to attention or got out of her way. No one dared to a glance at her assets else they’d end up in the infirmary. She stopped in front of Saber’s door and the two guards stood at attention. “Anything to report?” It was more of a demand then a question.
“Not a thing ma’am,” The guard on the left stated. “Been quiet as a mouse since he got back with Lord Solaris.” She raised an eyebrow at the words. She barged into the cell and stopped in her tracks as she felt her toe hit something. Ebony looked down to see it was a red leather bound book.
She looked up and her jaw dropped as she saw that books were scattered all around the room. Several were around the man as he sat at his desk while others were in many piles. Some stacks were piled halfway to the ceiling while some were on and under the man’s desk.
“Careful with those,” Saber snapped as he looked up from the book in his hand. “The last thing I need to get another lecture from that crabby librarian.” He huffed turning back to his book.
“What in the name of Luna is all this?” Ebony gestured to the utter disarray of the room. Saber looked back at her once and again and pointed to the book in is hand.
“Well, Ebony this here is what’s known as a book.” He said as if he were talking to a particularly stupid child. She scowled at him with her golden eyes.
“I meant where did they come from?”
“The castle library and before you think of reporting this to Celestia, she already knows.” He closed the book in his hand. “Her lapdog also approved the ones here.” A half truth really, he’d managed to slip one or two titles under the guard’s nose. Ebony’s eyes wandered down to the book he was previous reading. Saber followed he gaze and held up the book.
“Just a refresher in medical plants, mostly just journals.” He set the book down and stretched his arms. “Well, as much as I’d love to chat I need to sleep.” He said as he flopped on his bed.
“Not before you explain what you did this afternoon in the sparring match.” He let out a loud groan.
“I don’t have to explain anything to you.” He said in a firm tone. “Now be a good little house cat and leave me to sleep in peace.” He said as he made a shooing motion with his hand.
“Don’t give me orders. Remember who is in control.” She said as she stormed out of the room and locked the door behind her. Saber looked at his hand in the dull torch light.
Oh trust me, I know all to well who is in control. He thought as he tried to sleep. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t quiet his thoughts plagued by names and the faces behind them were all the more horrifying. The spider, the wolf, the fox, the snake, the bear, the wolverine, the tiger, and the hawk, eight names. Eight targets. Eight individuals who will regret not killing me when they had the chance. He had burned their names and faces into his mind three years ago and for every night for three years he recounted them. His eyes started to grow heavy and he thought dark thoughts before drifting off into sleep.
For the rest of the week Saber was subjected to the same brutal workout and then some. No doubt because Ebony was still miffed about her current situation. During his short break he decided to watch the other guards spar with one another. He watched their moves carefully and rolled his eyes at the rigid and regimented way they fought. They wouldn’t have lasted more than a minute against him or any person who had his training.
Surprisingly, Ebony entered the ring and the other recruits all shifted uncomfortably while they stood in a circle. She pointed to one of the recruits and he hesitantly stepped forward with his fists raised. The recruit didn’t stand a chance against the dark haired woman. When he went to get a punch on her, she spun and gripped his arm before she threw him over her shoulders. He landed on the ground roughly and yielded. Saber had to give the woman credit, she knew how to handle herself in a fight.
The recruit lightly limped his way over to the bench where Saber sat. He grunted as he sat down and rubbed his sore back. “I’m not even sure that’s even a woman.”
“You’re correct.” The recruit looked at the white haired man. “I heard that she ate the heart of a panther and gained it’s strength.” He grinned. “The downside is that she gained it’s mannerisms and bloodlust. She takes baths in blood to sate her desires.” The recruit’s face went white as a sheet.
“If you’ve got energy to talk then get in the circle.” Ebony called out to the assassin. Saber grinned and thought of something. He motioned the recruit closer and whispered something in his ear. The recruit shook his head violently and fear was strewn across his face. Saber stood up and made his way to the circle. The recruit rejoined the others and started whispering to them.
Ebony watched as each one of the soldier’s faces grew pale. She shoved her curiosity out of her mind and focused on the man in front of her. Ebony sized him up. He was still fairly weak and his gangly form looked like it would break like a dry twig. She got into a stance and the two started to circle one another. With blinding swiftness she struck out with her fist at the man’s chest.
Saber dodged her and slapped her on the side of her head like a parent would to their naughty child. Ebony grit her teeth and lashed out again only to have it blocked by his arm. She quickly went to sweep his legs out from under him with a kick, but her attack was in vain as he jumped back and balanced himself on the balls of his feet. Saber flashed her a smug grin and a wink. Ebony spat and charged at the man.
He was surprised by her sudden vigor as she unleashed a volley of punches. Saber did his best to block and dodge, but he was still weak from his time in Purgatory. A hard fist landed in his gut and another on his lip. Saber staggered back and touched his lip. He tasted blood in his mouth and looked back at Ebony who had a half smile on her face.
Saber spat the blood out and charged at the woman. He shot a slim hand out towards her to get a hold on her. Ebony spun out of the way and the two started to exchange blows and kicks. Neither of them could connect with the other. It was like watching two men trying to grab smoke. In all the twirling, Ebony took one wrong step and her balance faltered.
In that brief moment Saber got the upper hand and Ebony felt a firm hand slap her. She froze as she realized that he had swatted her on the ass if she were nothing more than a low bodice serving girl. The woman turned and faced the man who stood with his arms folded and a smirk on his face. Several of the men chuckled while the others looked mortified. Ebony’s face was red with anger as Saber held both hands up.
“I forfeit.” He said as he made his way out of the ring and sat back down. Ebony called for them to start running laps. Saber leaned against a wall as Ebony marched up to him, here eyes like daggers.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve.” She said in a terrifyingly calm tone.
“Nerve is a requirement in my profession.” He looked at her and he smiled. Ebony’s upper lip twitched in anger like a dog’s would as it snarled. “Well, look at this; those flashing eyes, those pursing lips and that small snarl. You know something Lieutenant?” He put a hand to his chin as if her were examining a fine piece of art. “You are quite ugly when you’re angry.” A hard fist slammed against the stone next to his head and Saber could hear it crack. Saber didn’t flinch even when a small cut appeared on his cheek.
“If the Princesses didn’t need you I’d crush your head with my bare hands.” Her eyes were filled with fury.
“But they do need me and that must vex you to no end.” He said as she removed her fist from the stone and backed away from the man.
“If you do anything to disrespect me in front of the men again, I’ll make you wish you’d never been born.” She hissed before she stomped away from him. Saber finished his training and returned to his room to read before drifting off to sleep.
The next few weeks went as follows; wake up, eat, train, eat, sleep, repeat. By the time a full month since he left that pit, Saber had recovered much of his old strength. He still wasn’t at his best, but enough for him to be somewhat satisfied with. Since his little sparring match with Ebony, several of the guards gave him a nod or raised in his direction a glass when the Lieutenant wasn’t looking.
By day, Saber trained and honed his unused skills. By night, he read and read and read. Devouring books like a child in a sweet shop that was giving away their goods for free. There was a hard knock on his door early in the morning and Ebony walked through as he sat up in his bed. “Hurry up and get dressed.” She demanded.
“Good morning to you too,” He said as he stood up and stretched. Saber looked out his barred window and saw the sun was just starting to rise. He turned his direction to the clock in his room and saw it was no later than six. “Why so early?” He groaned as he rubbed his tired eyes.
“Don’t ask questions, just do as your told.”
“So they didn’t tell you why either?” Her silence answered his question. “Fine, I’ll be ready in a minute.” Ebony examined his physique as he walked to the restroom. He was still fairly thin, but he definitely had more meat on him from when he arrived.
She still didn’t know how he managed to defeat that guard on the first day of training and any attempt to get the information out of him usually lead to a snide comment or him changing the subject. Saber was surprised to see that instead of a normal tunic and pants, he was given a black dress shirt with fine golden stitching for the edges. The pants and boots were in a similar fashion.
Saber dressed himself in the nice clothes and he ran a hand through his now shorter head of hair. “So what’s on today’s list of torture? Running ten miles? Pushing a large rock up a hill just so you can kick it back down?” Ebony turned wordlessly and Saber followed her out the door. The castle was unusually quiet due to most sensible people being asleep at this god forsaken hour.
He yawned heavily and he could feel his bed calling his name. Alas, he was bound to follow this woman or else he’d be in a world of hurt thanks to the magical collar still around his neck. He was surprised when they entered the grand hall where saw the three Princesses standing, along with the other two guards standing beside them.
“Mind telling me why you’ve woken me up so early and dressed me as though I were a soft headed noble?” He asked as he crossed his arms. Celestia cleared her throat before speaking.
“You’ve been here for some time and your health has improved considerably.” She said as he looked down at himself. He wasn’t at his best yet, but he was vastly stronger than when he was dragged to her feet a month ago. “We would have liked a little more time, but certain events are changing that.” Saber raised an eyebrow at the words. “We have received a concerning letter regarding Princess Twilight.”
“Death threat?” He guessed.
“No, but they mean to do her harm and we have yet to identify the individual.” Luna stated. “Therefore, you will begin guarding her post haste.”
“I have yet to meet or even see this Princess, how am I supposed to guard her if I don’t know anything about her?” He said as he scratched his chin.
“She will be here momentarily.” Ebony stepped next to him and glared.
“Bow as she enters, and don’t speak unless spoken too.” Saber hissed at the woman as the doors started to open. As Ebony bowed, Saber played the role of a good little lordling and copied her movement. He heard shoes against the marble floor, but kept his head low. As he heard Ebony moved he lifted his head and looked upon the Princess.
She’s so young. Was his first thought, she couldn’t have been older than twenty. She was wearing a lavender dress that matched her similar colored wings. Her hair was indigo with a line of dark pink running through one of the strands and her eyes were the deepest purple he’d ever seen.
This wasn’t right, Princesses are supposed to have an air of authority and control about them to the point of stifling any air unless they wished it to enter your lungs, but this girl? She seemed to have a vibe of curiosity about her and the air was as free as the wind. He felt as if those purple eyes of hers were taking in everything in the room, him included.
“Twilight,” Celestia gave her a smile that could melt the harshest winter storm. “It’s so good to see you again.” The young Princess walked up and hugged her mentor.
“It’s great to see you too Princess. Things are quite busy down in Ponyville since Tirek was dealt with. I’ve been mostly getting used to the castle,” She then turned back towards her wings. “and these things.” The Princesses all giggled a little.
“I am deeply sorry about the loss of your tree house.” Celestia stated. “I can’t begin to think of how you felt.” Saber saw the young Princess’s hand clench and bit the side of her lip as if she was stifling something.
“It was a loss, but I’m getting used to things now.” She said with a fake smile. As if desperate to change the subject, Twilight’s eyes locked onto Ebony and Saber. Ebony’s body went rigid as a board as she felt her gaze on her. Celestia then spoke up.
“Twilight, this is Ebony Northwind, a lieutenant in the Royal Guard.” Ebony bowed her head low.
“Your highness,” She said before she lifted her head back up. A light in Twilight’s eyes seemed to flicker as she looked her up and down.
“A pleasure to meet you. My older brother has written to me about you.” She smiled. “I just thought that someone with your reputation would be a little,” She paused for a moment. “older.” Saber bit his lip to prevent a smile from growing across his face as he saw Ebony’s jaw clench. Twilight suddenly became flustered. “I meant no disrespect Ms. Northwind, it’s just that you’ve accomplished so much that it’s amazing that you’re as young as you are.”
“You have no reason to apologize your highness.” She said in a neutral tone. Saber only rolled his eyes slightly and it wasn’t long until he felt the girl’s analytical gaze on him once again. Celestia shifted her eyes to the white haired man and let out a small sigh.
“This is,”
“Saber Alabaster,” He finished as made a bow to put Ebony’s to shame and ended it with a flourish of his hand. “at your service my lady.” He said with a grace that would make a cat jealous. Even though they didn’t show it, he could tell that the others in the room were a little more than surprised by his well behaved demeanor.
“Very nice to meet you.” Twilight smiled as she pinched the edges of her dress and curtsied for him. He pulled his head back up and he could feel Ebony’s gaze fix on him. Twilight then turned back to her mentor. “If you don’t mind me asking Princess, I was told you needed to see me immediately.” Celestia nodded and sat on her throne. The other Princesses did the same.
“Twilight, now that you have become a Princess, this means you are about to start on a path more dangerous than any you’ve walked before.” Celestia’s tone was firm yet gentle. “The noble court is filled with dangerous dealings and even more dangerous people. I have called these two here to aid you along this path.”
Two? Saber thought. “Ebony Northwind,” Ebony stiffened at the sound of her name and immediately dropped her head in respect. “approach.” Ebony turned on her heel and walked with all the elegance of a guard as she climbed the steps. As she reached the top, Celestia rose and Ebony dropped to one knee. Celestia stretched a hand out towards the woman’s sheathed blade.
The dark haired woman obeyed and pulled the sword from her scabbard and faced the handle towards her. The blade was made of simple iron and was ordinary in every possible way. Celestia gripped it with gentle care and raised it above her head. “Ebony Northwind, in recognition to your services to myself and my court,” Celestia put the tip of the blade on Ebony’s right shoulder. “I hereby bestow upon you the rank of captain.” She said as she moved the blade to her other shoulder.
“Rise.” Ebony slowly rose to her feet and looked Celestia in the eye.
“I do not deserve such an honor.” She stated as she fought back the smile trying to break free.
“Nonsense, I can think of no one better.” Celestia held the sword in front of herself and inspected it. The blade glowed a brilliant, blinding light and Saber was forced to shield his eyes. When he looked back he saw the dull grey sword was gone and in it’s place was an elegant blade, black as night. It's handle was a pristine gold and the black pommel was shaped into in the likeness of a roaring panther that had two yellow eyes.
“May this blade protect you always, Captain” She said as Ebony took the blade from the Princess and bowed once more.
“My blade is and always will be yours.” She sheathed the blade and stepped down from the throne.
“Your first assignment as Captain is to accompany Princess Twilight to Ponyville and take command of the guards stationed there.” Ebony saluted before bowing to her.
“It will be done your highness.” Saber was silently grinding his teeth into dust. Just when he thought he’d be free of this wretched woman. Ebony approached Twilight and bent a knee.
“By my life or death, I swear by the sun, moon and stars above to serve you with every fiber of my being.” Twilight was flushed having been completely taken off guard by these events. She cleared her mind and remembered everything that she’d read about these rituals.
“You will always have a place at my side, food at my table and bed to rest. I pledge that I will never bid you to do anything to dishonor you. I swear by the all that hangs in the sky and beyond.” Celestia smiled at her apprentice before turning to Saber.
“Saber Alabaster,” He turned to face his captors with a neutral look on his face. “you will accompany Captain Northwind and Princess Sparkle. You will do whatever is necessary to aid them.” Saber had to give the Princess credit, her face was like a porcelain mask, but he could see the cracks forming around her threatening magenta eyes. He gave her a similar bow that he gave Twilight.
“Of course, your highness.” As he bowed he felt his neck grow hot and felt as if someone had reached into his chest and wrapped their fingers around his heart. He grit his teeth and forced a smile as he raised his head. “Might I better explain my duties to Princess Twilight?”
“You may, in private. As you know, they are of a delicate nature.” He saw her narrow her eyes slightly and he gave her a respectful nod.
“As you command.” With that, the meeting ended and the four Princesses walked off together with Artemis and Solaris in tow. As they left the room, Ebony pulled Saber aside.
“I’m surprised you didn’t do anything stupid.” She said allowing half a smile to show on her face.
“I can behave when I wish to.” He said as he panted slightly as he felt some lingering bits of pain in his chest. Her yellow eyes flickered like two flames as she noticed his heavy breathing.
“What’s wrong? Chest a little tight?” He glared at her with his turquoise eyes. “It’s a living link spell Celestia casted between you and Princess Sparkle.”
“Living link?” He said as a bead of sweat formed on his head.
“I’ll spare you the inner working of ancient arcane spells and put it bluntly,” A smirk appeared on her face. The first one he’d seen her give and it unnerved him. “You and Princess Sparkle's lives share a one way link. If she dies, you die.” He gulped at that.
“And if the opposite happens?”
“Nothing, aside from the world being rid of one assassin.” She said.
So that’s what she meant by one way. I may as well be chained like a dog. He sighed heavily and walked with the dark haired woman back to his room.
By mid day, Saber was escorted onto the train bound for Ponyville by Ebony, who’s belongings had already been loaded onto the train. Ebony sat him down in a booth beside Saber before Twilight came towards their cabin. Ebony went to stand, but Twilight held up a hand to stop her. “There’s no sense in you standing just to sit back down again captain.” She smiled as she sat herself across from them.
“Of course your highness.” Ebony said wit a nod. Saber ignored the situation and looked out the window as they started moving. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Well, since you two will be staying with me I was wondering if you could answer some questions?” She asked.
“Of course Princess.” Ebony said as Twilight’s eyes shifted to the white haired man. She turned back to Ebony and smiled.
“Okay, who have you trained with?”
“Upon my entering the Royal Guard, my drill sergeant saw I had untapped potential and recommended me for special training under Sir Artemis and Sir Solaris.” She stated proudly. “Myself, along with a few other recruits went through vigorous training in tactics, tracking, combat and arcane. In the end, I was the only one who remained either because the other’s couldn’t hack it, or because they’d been severely wounded.”
“What kind of magic and to what extent can you do?”
“I am skilled in wind and ice magic. I focus it through my sword and I have been able to cut through a shield of griffonian steel that is six inches thick and I can create barriers of ice thick enough to stop a crossbow bolt.” Saber raised an eyebrow at that.
“Impressive,” Twilight said as her eyes drifted back over to Saber who was still staring out the window. Ebony then elbowed him to get his attention.
“What?” He asked in an annoyed tone. Ebony gestured her head towards Twilight and Saber turned to meet her curious purple eyes.
“I was wondering about your training.” Twilight said. Saber looked at Twilight then back to Ebony, then back to the Princess. He took in a deep breath.
“That depends. Do you want to hear what you want to hear, or the truth?” Twilight looked at him in confusion.
“The truth,” She said in a firm tone. “always.” Saber sat back in his seat and thought long and hard. How long had it been since he thought about the training he’d received? Saber gestured to the sliding door and Ebony shut it with her free hand. He leaned in closer and looked at Twilight intensely.
“You may come to regret saying that.” He said as he leaned back into his seat and thought. “I’m not one of Celestia’s royal lap dogs like the captain here.” He stated flatly as Ebony's eyes sharpened. “Up until a few weeks ago I wanted nothing to with the Princesses or this one.” He pointed his thumb to Ebony. Twilight blinked in surprise. “I’m an assassin, or rather I was an assassin.”
Twilight felt her heartbeat quicken at the words and she gulped at the words. “Now I suppose you’re wondering why the Princess would assign someone like me to guard you?” He gave her a wicked grin. “It’s because I’m the best there is. I know how to disappear in plain sight, I can craft potions that could kill twenty men in twenty different ways, I can sneak into almost anywhere and kill anyone with anything. I know every trick in the book and then some. That’s why Celestia,” He paused as he thought of the correct words. “persuaded me to do this.”
The Princess swallowed hard and felt a knot form in her stomach. She looked to Ebony who’s hand was firmly gripped on her sword handle. “Just so we’re on the same page, I’m not some poor soul who had a change of heart and wanted to turn my life around. I’m here because it was choice between guarding you and slow agonizing death.” He turned to look at Ebony, who’s eyes were fixated on him.
“She’s here to keep an eye on me and make sure I don’t do anything,” He scratched his chin. “counter productive.” He turned his head and the magic seal around his neck appeared. “This is linked to your heartbeat so if you die, I die.” He crossed his arms and cracked his neck. “I’m telling you all of this because our lives are intertwined, so you’re going to have to trust me.” Twilight took in a deep breath and narrowed her purple eyes on the man.
“If what you’re saying is true, then why should I trust you?” He smiled at her.
“Because Celestia was right. The second you became a Princess you had a target painted on your back for Celestia and Equestria’s enemies. No one would dare attack Celestia, Luna or Cadence out in the open and expect to survive the backlash, but you? You’re fresh meat ripe for the taking.” Twilight was surprised at his words.
“Equestria doesn’t have enemies.” She stated.
“You mean besides a certain crazy Changeling Queen, a god of chaos and a giant demon you sealed away not two months ago?” He counted off on his hand with his fingers.
“Discord is reformed, we are hunting Chrysalis as we speak and Tirek is back in chains.” Ebony answered.
“What about the other noble houses?” He asked.
“What about them?” Twilight stated.
“Do you honestly think a change in the power structure this big won’t ruffle a few feathers? You probably pissed off almost every high ranking noble in Canterlot when you got your crown.” Twilight blinked in surprise.
“Why? I didn’t do anything to them.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re a piece on the board now.” He sat back and put his hands behind his head.
“If I may speak freely your highness?” Twilight nodded at the captain. “While I wouldn’t put it as bluntly, I will say the inner workings of the noble court are very lucrative and dangerous. I prefer to keep myself out of politics as it as lethal as any other battleground, sometimes deadlier.” Twilight looked stunned.
“These are dangerous people Princess Sparkle,” Saber started. “people who wouldn’t think twice about using someone like me to remove an obstacle in their way just to get more power, better standings in the eyes of the other nobles, or just because they want to.” His tone was flat and serious. “Considering your relationship with the Princesses, this also makes the nobles drool at the thought of the rewards and favors they might recieve if they suck up to you. Those are the ones you need to keep your eye on.” Twilight shook her head.
“You make it sound like I can’t trust any of them.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” He said as his eyes bore into hers. “Let me tell you something for free Princess; in this game you win, or you die.” Twilight sat back and let out a deep sigh as she rubbed her head. “Scared?”
“A little.” She admitted. Saber gave her a grin.
“Good, you’re in the great game now and the game is terrifying.” He said as he clicked his tongue. “The only people who aren’t afraid are crazy like Chrysalis.” After that a long silence fell over the booth and it remained that way until the train pulled to a screeching halt. Ebony stood up first.
When Saber heard he’d be staying with a Princess, he’d expected her castle to be in the middle of a thriving metropolis like Canterlot or the Draconian capitol. Instead he stepped onto the platform to see a small town. The building were made out of stone or wood and the streets were laid with brick and cobblestone. His teals eyes winced as the sun struck them. He looked to Ebony who’s golden eyes were taking in anything that could potentially be a threat. Twilight then stepped out behind them and she smiled.
“Welcome to Ponyville.” Suddenly, a bright pink blur raced through the crowd and stopped in front of Twilight. On instinct Ebony gripped the handle of her sword and was about to bring it out, but Twilight ordered her to stop. So she did. The blur turned out to be a young woman with bouncy pink hair that matched the rest of her attire.
“Twilight!” The pink girl said before she wrapped the Princess in a tight embrace and lifted her up off the ground.
“Pinkie, put me down.” Twilight wheezed out as she felt the crushing embrace void her lungs of any air. “I was only gone for a few hours.” Pinkie set Twilight down and she breathed in a deep breath. The name seemed to ring a bell in the dark haired captain’s mind.
“You are Dame Pinkie Pie?” Pinkie turned her head towards the new voice and her bright eyes sparkled as she noticed the two new comers. She immediately jumped five feet in the air and ran off at breakneck pace leaving a trail of dust behind her. Ebony and Saber were in stunned silence.
“What just happened?” Saber said as he looked to Twilight who was giggling.
“That’s just Pinkie being Pinkie, you’ll get use to her.”
“She is an element of harmony?” Ebony had heard of the Elements of Harmony and their exploits and had seen the glass stained window of them in the hallways of the castle. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting when she’d met the Elements, but it certainly wasn’t that.
“It’ll make sense the more you get to know her.” The trio then ventured out into the small town. Saber looked around and saw small stores selling their wares and people talking about small things. As they passed they smiled and waved at the Princess. Their smiles held no hint of maliciousness or mocking.
The air was fresh and cool against his fair skin. The town had a relaxing and innocent feel to it, like something out of a children’s fairy story. He didn’t like it. He was used to the smell of refuse on city streets and the sound of dirty dealings that went on late at night. A shadow passed over head and he looked up to see a cyan winged woman with flowing rainbow hair. The woman touched down in front of them.
“Hey Twilight, what’s up?” The Princess returned the smile.
“Morning Rainbow, how are you?”
“Awesome, as always,” Her magenta eyes then flashed on the newcomers. “Friends of yours?”
“Rainbow this is Ebony, she’s my new Captain of the guard at the castle.” Ebony gave the woman a half bow.
“It’s an honor to meet you Dame Dash.” Ebony said as she raised her head. “The stories of your flying prowess are quite common amongst the Pegasus guard.” Rainbow smirked a confident smile. She then looked to Saber who gave her a curt nod.
“We’ll talk later Twilight, I gotta finish up clearing the skies.” With one flap of her powerful wings, the woman launched off the ground and took off like an arrow launched from it’s bow.
“She’s certainly energetic.” Saber commented as they continued to walk. Soon a large crystal castle came into view. It’s spires looked as though they would pierce the clouds and the sunlight flashed across the shimmering surfaces. As they walked through the doors a small boy about the age of ten ran up to them. He had spiky green hair and his emerald eyes were like that of a snake’s.
“Spike!” Twilight said as she picked the boy up and hugged him.
“Twilight put me down!” He said as he flailed. Twilight chuckled and did so.
“Have I missed anything?” The boy shook his head.
“All quiet for the most part.” Ebony looked around the room and she huffed to herself.
“Where are the guards?” Spike looked at the woman and scratched his head.
“I think they’re having breakfast.” That set the fire in the woman’s eyes. She bit her tongue and turned to the Princess.
“Your highness, I would like to leave to further inspect the troops.”
“You may.” Ebony gave her a bow and narrowed her eyes on Saber. He leaned towards Twilight and whispered.
“You’re going to want to see this.” He said before he followed the dark haired captain with a confused Twilight and Spike following behind. After a few minutes of searching, they came across the mess hall that was packed with the guards There were about twenty men in casual clothes laughing and joking with one another. Saber bid Twilight to stay out of sight as they watched one of the men approach Ebony with a cocky smirk on his face. The man had dark blue hair and a pair of orange wings.
“Well, hello young lady,” His breath smelt of bacon and beer. “I am Sargent Flash Sentry. How can we help a fine lady such as you Miss?” A predatory smile spread on her lips.
“Northwind,” She stated calmly. “Captain Ebony Northwind.” Her tone shifted to be as jaded as a serrated blade and her expression turned angry. All of the man’s bravado went out the window and his face went ashen. He turned back to men and bellowed.
“Officer present!” The group of guards scrambled to their feet. Some tripping over the benches and one another as they rose and saluted. Ebony walked down the aisles inspecting each and every one of the guards. Minutes past and the tension in the air was considerably present. She finished her inspection and let out a long sigh.
“Sloppy, unorganized and undisciplined,” She chastised. “Tell me, why was there no escort waiting for Princess Sparkle upon her return?” The guards remained silent, but sh could hear a few murmurs from the guards. “Well?” She yelled.
“We did not know when she would return, ma’am.” One guard spoke up.
“A letter was sent before our departure. Where is it?” Spike then slowly stepped forwards and gulped as he eyes focused on him.
“I got the letter, I handed it to Flash as always.” He peeped out. Ebony’s eyes narrowed at the orange winged man. She held her hand out as he rifled through his pockets.
“I don’t have it captain, I must have left it on my desk.” He gulped.
“Did you not read it?” She said as her eyes bore holes through him. His silence was more than an answer for her. “All of you get dressed and be ready for training in five minutes! If any one of you are late that it’s an extra ten laps!” All the men scrambled to go get in their training gear and within seconds the mess hall was silent and empty.
Around the corner, Saber was forced to cover his mouth to silence his laughter. Twilight and Spike stared awestruck at Ebony at what she had just demonstrated.
“Well Ebony, I can safely say that no one can make men run like you can.” Saber said as his laughter filled the hallway. Ebony ignored him and she turned to face the Princess.
“I apologize you had to see that Princess Sparkle. It seems I have a lot of work to do here.” Twilight had never seen the soldiers move so quickly, either they were eager to obey, or they were scared of Ebony. Saber had guessed it was both.
Ten minutes later the guards were all in their armor and awaited their instructions from the dark haired captain. She shook her head in disappointment and ordered Flash to take the men out to the training grounds while Twilight and Spike gave them a tour of the castle. The castle was quite large, not as big as the Canterlot royal palace, but still one of the largest buildings Saber has been in.
As they walked, Saber was taking in every window, every turn and committing them to memory. He wanted to see everything; every closet, every restroom and anywhere someone with his skill set could hide. They soon came to Twilight’s room. It was large, but not too large for it to be overindulgent. There were dozens of books strewn about the floor and several stacked high on her desk and overflowing bookcases.
“Sorry for the mess,” Twilight said as she rubbed the back of her head. “I wasn’t expecting company today and I’ve been so busy that I’ve had almost no time to clean up.” Saber’s attention was focused on the various titles of the books stacked high.
“Where did you get all of these books?” He asked as he read a few familiar titles.
“My castle has a library. Not as large as the one in Canterlot but it holds various titles.” His eyes seemed to sparkle.
“Now that sound interesting.” He said as Twilight turned to look at him.
“You like to read?” He gave her a nod. “What do you like?”
“Anything I can get my hands on and then some.” Twilight gave him a small smile at the words. “But I’ll deal with that later.” He said as he stepped inside the room and started looking around, particularly at one of the bookcases. “What are these walls made of?” He asked as he tapped it with his knuckle.
“Hardened crystal, I’m not sure what kind.” Twilight said.
“Are there rooms on either side of yours?” She shook her head.
“Only a small bedroom room on the right. We’re using it for storage at the moment.” He nodded and he walked out of the room and headed for the door. He opened the door and saw that it was larger than his room he had back at the castle. It was filled with different cleaning supplies and it had a window that overlooked the sleepy town. There was even a restroom with a sink and stone bathtub. He scratched his chin and nodded before he turned back to the door.
“I can make this work.” He said as he looked back at Twilight.
“This? It’s a room for storage.” Spike said.
“My job is to keep you alive, best way to do that is by staying close by.” He looked at the left wall and nodded. “If I knock out this wall I can carve a passage through to your room and use in case of an emergency.”
“This stone is harder than steel.” Ebony stated. “How are you going to,” She stopped talking as the floor started to rumble and shake. Ebony instinctively put her hand on her sword and waited. Cracking noises could be heard and an area of the wall started to crumble away. After a minute the shaking stopped and there was a clean passage leading directly to the Princess’s room.
“Smart castle.” Saber said as he looked at the passage. It was only thirty feet long and tight enough for three people to stand side by side. “Well, that solves that problem.” He said as he walked down the tunnel and knocked on a crystal wall that slid down and he stepped inside the Princess’s room.
“I did not know the castle could do that.” Spike said.
“Neither did I.” Twilight said before they continued on with the tour of the castle. Ebony found a large room close to the barracks and claimed it as her own. She’d also be taking over Flash’s office since she was now in charge of the guards. The last stop was the one Saber was eager to see, the library.
Twilight opened the large crystal doors and Saber’s eyes widened as he saw the large book cases lined with hundreds of thousands of books. He could see himself spend a lot of time here. By the time the full tour was done, the sun was starting to go down and Sabe became abundantly aware of how hungry he was considering he hadn’t eaten all day.
Twilight suggested going to the local tavern for supper. The three were accompanied by Spike who was eager to get out of the castle. They came across a wooden building called the Golden Pony. A bright yellow sign hung in front of the two story building. Saber noticed the interior was dimly lit, but he could make out shadows bustling about. He looked to Ebony who also took noticed and rested her hand on the handle of her sword.
As they stepped inside several figures jumped up and Saber pulled out some knives he’d swiped from the castle’s kitchen and Ebony pulled her blade out. The figures didn’t attack or make sudden movements. Instead, they yelled.
“Surprise!” Saber and Ebony felt a gent hand on one of their shoulders and turned back to see Twilight smiling.
“It’s fine you two, it’s just your welcoming party.” Ebony huffed and sheathed her blade and Saber slid the knives back in his sleeves. A familiar girl clad in pink rushed up to them.
“I throw one for everyone new in town!” Her blue eyes sparkled like the clear blue ocean. “Well, did I surprise ya?”
“I can honestly say that I was not expecting this.” Saber stated with a smile. How long had it been since he’d even been to a party, let alone one held because of him. A throbbing pain ripped through his head and he winced. He found a table to sit at and ordered himself a mug of ale.
As soon as the frothing beverage touched his lips he felt as though all the hardships he’d dealt with that day fade. For those few seconds, he felt like he was free. That feeling was quickly dashed as Ebony took a seat across from him. Her arms were crossed and she let out a huff. “It appears the new captain is not one for social engagements.” He said as he took another sip from his mug.
“I do not see the point of this.” She stated blankly.
“It’s a party where people have fun.” He said flatly. “You do know what fun is don’t you?” She narrowed her eyes at him as Twilight, Pinkie and Dash came over with three other women. One had bright blonde hair and was sporting a brown leather stetson. Judging by her muscular build and tanned skin, Saber guessed she was a farmer of some sort.
The next one had long light pink hair that acted like a curtain to hide behind. Her sundress matched her butter yellow wings. The last one was beautiful. The kind of women you’d expect to see at the palace. Her curled purple hair cascaded down one side of her face and her sapphire blue eyes had a twinkle in them.
“Girls, this is Ebony Northwind. The new captain of my castle’s guard.” Ebony looked at the group and stood before bowing.
“It’s an honor to meet the Elements of Harmony.” Saber looked at them with a raised eyebrow. These girls were some legendary saviors? The girls pulled up some chairs and sat around the table.
“The pleasure is ours.” The beauty said with a smile. She turned her deep blue eyes to Saber and smiled. “And you are?” Sabe threw on a devilish smile and raised his glass.
“I’m Argent Cavalier.” Saber said it with such confidence that has she not known better, Twilight would have believed him. “Princess Celestia gave me the gracious opportunity to be Princess Sparkle’s personal assistant in the court until she gets use to the court’s workings.” He sipped his drink nonchalantly and he felt that the new comers had bought it. However, a certain blonde farmer narrowed her deep green eyes and looked at him curiously.
One by one, the new girls introduced themselves. The farmer’s name was Applejack who helped run her family’s apple orchard at the edge of town. The beauty’s name was Rarity who ran a boutique. While Saber wasn’t overly fond of fancy clothes, it’d be nice to have some clothes actually tailored to fit him. The last girl’s name was Fluttershy. True to her name, the girl said it at such a whisper Ebony and Saber had to strain their ears in order to hear it.
Hours passed and soon the festivities died down. Saber, Ebony and Twilight made their way back to the castle in silence. Once they were inside, Twilight frowned at Saber. “What?” He said as he looked at the Princess.
“Why did you lie to my friends?” He gave an easy shrug.
“Habit? Fun? Make sure people don’t find out who I really am? Take your pick.” Her eyes narrowed on the man but he ignored the stare.
“My job is to keep you alive for the next five years. Should it matter how I do it?” She huffed as she went to her room and heard him enter the one adjacent to hers. Twilight got ready for bed with great efficiency and laid down in her soft mattress to sleep.
Living in the shining castle took some getting use to for Saber. He was used to sneaking around places like this, not strolling around them without a care in the world. It had been a week since he and the captain had been transferred to the sleepy town and he had marked every escape route he could think of. Every door, every window, every possible place he or someone like him could hide or enter from. Ebony on the other hand felt right at home with her new surroundings.
She had taken to ordering the troops as a fish takes to swimming. Because of her stern attitude and need for perfection, the morale of the men was starting to waver as they soon started to realize that the easy life they’d enjoyed was long behind them. Saber pitied them really, he’d pity almost anyone who had to take orders from that woman. Whenever he left to go into town, Ebony or one of the guards went with him. He doubted that Ebony told the guards anything about his true identity or his real mission.
In their and the town folk’s eyes he was just someone from Canterlot assigned to assist Twilight with her royal duties. Thanks to his years spent with assassins he’d become quite the adept liar and his story was solid thanks to a few forged documents and a good story. With those papers, his alibi was sealed. However, the farm girl still held some skepticism in her eyes and it felt like she was trying to glare a hole through him every time she came to the castle to visit the Princess.
Twilight, kept her distance for the most part from him as she was still unsure whether or not she could trust him. He honestly couldn’t care less about her opinion of him, but her disdain was present in the air around her whenever they crossed paths. Ebony’s mood had not improved much either. The soldiers’ disorganization and lax behavior irritated her to no end.
However, Ebony’s new duties allowed Saber to focus more on his own training and work his way through the vast amount of books in the library. He started with where he left off in Canterlot, mostly reading medical journals and herb books. It was good to brush up on certain bits of information that he’d forgotten while he was in captivity. He was halfway through an urban herbs journal when the library doors slammed open and Saber heard a familiar pair of boots against the crystal floor.
“There you are.” Ebony said as she approached the man. He turned to her and put a finger on his lips as he made a ‘shh’ sound.
“We’re in a library.” He stated as he turned back to his book. She snarled and took it from his hands. “I wasn’t finished with that.”
“Your equipment is here.” His eyes widened and he stood up before he followed Ebony through the castle. Several of the guards stiffened as they saw them make their way towards them. He eyed their stiffness and the nervous looks on their faces.
“You certainly know how to make your presence known Ebby.” The captain grunted at the pet name he’d taken to call her. She didn’t let her irritation show, but it certainly got under her skin. Saber turned his head to see Twilight approaching them. Her curiosity got the better of her and she followed the two. They entered an empty room with a hard wooden table in the center.
On the table, there was a heap of familiar items, his equipment. Saber felt a joy he almost forgotten as he approached the pile of clothing and metal. “What the hell have you people been doing with my things?” He glared at them as if they’d just purposely spilled their wine on a new, expensive shirt.
“They came all the way from Purgatory, the things that weren’t melted down anyway.” His heart seized and he started sifting through the bits of cloth and metal. He found a familiar sword handle and relaxed. He pulled the blade from it’s sheath and the guard got ready to fight if need be. Saber ignored her as he examined the blade.
It was not fancy by any means, it was a dull grey color and had a simple leather grip and a piece of curved metal would shield his fingers. The blade itself was odd, it was neither a long sword nor a saber, but it did have a slight curve to the bulky top part of the blade. He gave it a few practice swings and he smiled. Hello my old friend. He thought to himself as he carefully slid the blade into it’s simple leather sheath and strapped the leather belt across his chest so the handle was over his right shoulder. He looked back at the rest of his equipment; several different throwing knives, two curved hunting knives that rested on the back of his waist, a silver vambrace that went on his right arm and a matching one for his left.
Unfortunately, his custom leather armor was damaged and he would need to find a replacement. The same for his dark brown cloak that had all sorts of secret pockets and had kept him warm and unseen many times when he performed his bloody deeds. He kicked off the black boots he’d been wearing and put on his old leather ones. Nothing fits better than a broken in boot.
As he rifled through the worn cloak’s pockets, he felt something familiar between his fingers. He pulled out a metal chain and hung it around his neck. Hanging from the chain was a small metal sword with wings coming from the hilt. In the hilts center a dark green emerald was set. As he turned towards the door he saw Ebony with her hand extended.
“I’ll keep your blades until you need them.” He rolled his eyes at her.
“Sure, real smart, have me guard the Princess’s life with just my fists, that’ll work real well against armed opponents.” Ebony’s amber eyes stayed the same and he reluctantly unhitched the sheathed blade from his back and held it out. She quickly grabbed it from his hands and he scowled as if she’d just slapped her. “Careful, that’s a lady you’re holding, not some hunk of cheap iron you swing around blindly.” He stated in a serious tone.
“A lady?” Twilight said with a raised eyebrow.
“Of course.” He pointed to the blade. “That is Celaena and she’s saved my life many times.” Ebony put her hand on the handle. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” She ignored him and pulled, yet the blade wouldn’t budge.
She tried harder yet the sword remained sheathed. Ebony felt a stinging sensation in her hand and she yelped as the sword clattered to the floor. Saber just stared at her as she rubbed her hand.
That was pretty cute. He shook the thought from his head as he walked over and picked up Celaena. “I warned you not to try it.” Ebony pulled her black blade from it’s sheath and pointed it at him.
“What the hell was that just now?” Her hand was still numb and it showed as her sword was shaking slightly.
“A precaution so that she can never be used to hurt me.” He said as he hitched the sword to his back. “Regardless, I’m keeping her with me and the only way you’re changing that is by prying her from my cold dead hands.” His tone was serious and his eyes seemed to freeze everything in the room.
“That can be arranged.” Ebony hissed. Determined to diffuse the tension, Twilight stepped forwards.
“He needs some way to defend himself Captain and it’s impossible for him to cause me any harm or else that spell will activate correct?” Ebony looked at Twilight and gave a nod. “So then there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Finally, a voice of reason.” Saber stated. The captain sighed and sheathed her blade. “Have you named it?” she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He sighed and pointed to he sword. “All great swords have names. Solaris has Sunbreaker and Artemis has Nightshade.” He’d heard the guards discussing them while he was in the white castle.
“A sword is just a tool.” She stated.
“So you’re saying the sword Celestia gave you is like all the rest of the swords here and should be treated as such?” He said with a grin. Ebony felt ice in her spine as she put her hand on the panther head pommel. She looked down at the blade and the thought of naming it had crossed her mind once or twice.
“I’ll give it some thought.” He smiled and stretched his back before they left the room. It felt good to have his equipment back although the loss of his cloak was unfortunate, but he figured he could get a replacement in time. He went back to his room and closed the door before taking his equipment off. Had she been more thorough, Ebony might have noticed all the little compartments inside his gear.
He pulled open the flat of his left boot to show a few different sized lock picks wrapped in some cloth. He did the same with his right and pulled out a few small tools one would use to fix eye glasses with. He laid the small instruments out before he removed his gauntlets and set them on the wooden desk. He removed the armored top and a patch of leather to show a complex series of gears and springs like a pocket watch would have.
He started to take the pieces a part carefully and inspected them like a jeweler would his wares. The whole process of taking apart, inspecting and reassembling the mechanism took close to two hours. He wiped his brow as he heard a knock on the door. He covered the item with a piece of cloth and walked to the door. He opened it to see Twilight. “Can I help you Princess?” Saber asked as he leaned against the doorframe.
“Where have you been? I haven’t seen you since you got your equipment.” She said as she walked into his room.
“I’ve been looking all of it over making sure it all still works and fits properly.” He said as he leaned on the edge of his bed.
“Works?” He walked over to his desk and put the reassembled gauntlet back on to his right arm. He moved his wrist and a long double edged blade shot out from the top of the gauntlet. She was startled by how quickly the blade came from the object, yet she couldn’t help but marvel at it. “Fascinating,”
“Yes, I’m quite fond of them myself.” He said as he jerked his wrist a second time and the blade receded back into the gauntlet.
“How does it work?” Saber uncovered the other gauntlet that was still in pieces.
“A series of gears, screws and springs.” He said as he started putting it back together. Twilight watched as he methodically reassembled the hidden blade. She watched him intensely and she could almost see the gears in his mind turning. How many times had he disassembled and reassembled these weapons to remember where every screw and spring fit into?
“Did you make these?” He shook his head.
“No, but I have modified them a bit. Pieces break and need to be replaced.” He said as he finished the other mechanism. The one he finished had the blade come out from the underside of the gauntlet. Twilight looked at the knives and then to the sword before she spoke up.
“What,” She bit her lip as she forced the words out as if she were trying to throw up her lunch. “what is it like to kill a man?” For a long while the room was quiet. Saber’s usual silver tongue had turned to rust in his mouth and he looked down at his right hand. Thankfully the silence was shattered by the sound of the door opening.
Ebony was about to say something to Saber but then saw Twilight and her posture stiffened.
“Princess, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” She stated calmly.
“Nor I you, did you need something with Saber?” Ebony shifted her gaze to the white haired man.
“Making sure I’m behaving myself Ebby?” He said as he took off the bracers.
“Making sure you weren’t up to anything.” She narrowed her eyes on the man.
“You are quite paranoid. You know that right?” He said as he sat on the edge of his bed. “So did you need something or is this just a way for you to kill time when you’re not torturing me or the other guards?”
“I do not torture my men.”
“From what I’ve seen you’re quite the slave driver.” He said as he leaned back.
“I’m sure you know what that feels like.” His eyed narrowed and the air became tense between them.
“You should get a hold on that tongue of yours before someone plucks it out.” He hissed. A vein pressed against the skin on Ebony’s forehead and her hand gripped her sword. Saber noticed this and smirked. “Always quick to draw your blade, but I doubt someone like you has ever really used it.”
“What?”
“I’m saying that you’ve never been in a real fight.” He crossed his arms and shrugged. “What’s to be expected from a pampered canterlot kitten like yourself?” There was the sound of metal cutting through air as Ebony’s blade shot from it’s sheath and was heading straight for Saber’s neck. The blade came to halt as the edge touched his flesh. Saber remained completely still and didn’t flinch, even when he felt a small bead of blood trickle along his neck.
“Captain, stand down! That’s an order!” Twilight yelled as she narrowed her eyes on Ebony. The captain was fuming but she tightly gripped her rage and sheathed the blade. “You should not act so rashly.”
“Yes Princess,” Ebony said through grit teeth. Twilight then turned to the white haired man.
“And you should not purposely antagonize her.” He simply shrugged.
“What will I do for fun then?” Twilight let out an angry huff of air and held up her right hand clenched into a fist. On the back a red symbol glowed. “What’s that for?”
“Sit and be quiet.” Saber was about to comment, but he found that his voice had left him and he started to panic. He felt as if some giant had wrapped their hand around his neck and stolen his voice. The next thing he felt was a crushing weight on his shoulders and he felt his backside slam against the stone hard floor. He’d curse if he was able to, so he instead gave the two women a dark glare. “After you told me about your area of expertise, I wrote a letter to Princess Celestia on the matter.” Twilight said in tone that was filled to the brim with authority.
“She sent me this command spell that is connected to that circle around your neck.” His pupils shrank in understanding. “I wanted to refrain from using this, but it appears I have no choice to if I expect you to behave.” She dropped to one knee so they were at eye level. “You will cease antagonizing or goading of any kind toward Captain Northwind, understand?”
She snapped her fingers and Saber coughed as he felt the use of his voice return to him. Saber looked at her with narrowed angry eyes, but Twilight just showed him the command seal again and he bit back the rather offensive curse that was bubbling up inside.
“Yes, Princess.” He said venomously. The mark on Twilight’s hand vanished and the weight that had been keeping him down seemed to vanish. Twilight stood back up straight and walked out the door. Ebony just stared at him with a blank expression on her face, but Sabe saw the amusement in her golden eyes.
“This must be quite amusing to you.” He said as he stood up and glared.
“You brought this on yourself.” She said as she walked to the doorway. She turned to face him just as she put her hand on the door to close it. “Dogs who can’t listen get put on a tight leash.” She slammed the door closed and walked away. He made an obscene gesture with his hand and walked into the bathroom to look at the cut on his neck. He wet his hand in the sink and wiped the blood away to see that the wound was already closed.
He smiled to himself and washed the dried blood from his skin. Twilight had just made a grave mistake, she told him where she stood. She holds the leash, and I am the slave. He thought as he got back to work on the gauntlet.
The following weeks went by excruciatingly slow. Thanks to the command seals, Saber had to put his best foot forward whenever Twilight or Ebony were nearby, which was practically almost every minute of everyday. He had held up his end of the bargain and ceased antagonizing the captain and chose to avoid her like a plague victim. Ebony was mostly busy with getting the guards up to her near impossible standards. At least he didn’t have to take orders from her.
He mostly spent his days in the library reading, but reading only held it’s appeal for so long. Saber wandered the halls of the shining castle and marked anything that he could use to escape should the need, or and opportunity arise. As he walked through the halls, he saw that a door cracked open and he went o investigate. The room was large, not big enough to throw a ball in but large enough for a small dinner party.
The room was vacant safe for some furniture with some sheets to cover them. What caught his eye was a large object in the far wall. He walked over to it and removed the sheet to show a large black piano. He ran his fingers across the smooth black surface of the instrument and sat down on the bench. Saber lifted the cover and looked down at the white ivory keys that glistened in the sunlight.
As he pressed a key he let the note move through the air and fill the empty room. It had been years since he’d heard even a note of music. Without a moment’s hesitation he stood up and left the room. He came back a few minutes later with some music sheets that he’d come across in the library. He flipped open the first page and he started to play.
Down in the Barracks, Ebony was sifting through piles of paperwork. Mostly just anonymous complaints about her new training regiment which made great kindling for her hearth’s fire. She thought back to Saber and although she wouldn’t admit it, she did feel somewhat bad about what she had called him. She shook the thoughts from her mind and reminded herself that he was an assassin, a killer for hire who wouldn’t think twice about ending her and everyone else’s lives.
A knock at the door pulled her thoughts to a grinding halt. She sat up straight in her chair and folded her hands. “Enter.” The door opened to show the princess wearing a simple lavender shirt and dark pants. Ebony was about to get to her feet, but Twilight gestured for her to stay seated.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything captain.” She said as she looked around the room.
“Of course not, please have a seat.” She gestured to the chair in front of her desk. “Was there something you wanted?” Twilight straightened her posture and brushed a bit of hair behind her ear.
“What do you know about Saber?” She asked. Ebony sat back and thought long and hard about the question before giving her answer.
“Nothing I haven’t told you.” Twilight sighed and rubbed her temples.
“But who has he killed, where has he worked, where did he come from?” She said pointedly. Ebony remained silent. She didn’t know, nor made any effort to ask the assassin about his past and she doubted he’d even tell her if she asked.
“I don’t know that myself Twilight.” Par the Princess’s request, Ebony had started addressing her as Twilight. All she knew was that he was an assassin who had been captured years ago, yet she knew nothing of anything of his career. Twilight sat back and sighed.
“Care to take a walk with me?”
“That sounds nice. I need to stretch my legs anyway.” Ebony hitched her blade to her side and followed the Princess out into the hallway.
“Tell me, how are the troops coming along?” Ebony let out a disapproving sigh.
“They’re not ready for combat yet. You’d think that they’d never been through basic training.” She stated harshly. “I’m fairly certain most of them joined the guard because they thought they’d look good in a suit of armor.” She said with a huff.
“Why did you join the guard?” Ebony stopped walking and looked down at the floor. Twilight stopped and looked back at the woman. “Ebony?”
“That's a rather,” She bit her lip and thought of the right word. “complicated story.” Twilight too the hint and dropped the subject. They walked through the halls in a comfortable silence. Twilight stopped walking and Ebony stopped beside her. “Something wrong?”
“Do you hear music?” Ebony listened closely and could indeed hear the sound of music echoing through the halls. The two women followed the sounds through the hallways until they came to certain door. Twilight pressed her ear against the wooden door. “It’s coming from in here.” As she turned the knob to open the door the music came to a jarring halt.
She stepped back as she heard footsteps and the door opened to show the white haired man. He rolled his eyes as he leaned against the frame of the door.
“Yes?” He said in a drawn out tone. Ebony looked at him curiously, before she looked over his shoulder to see the vacant room and the piano in the back.
“We were looking for the source of the music.” She stated. He made a grand gesture with his left arm.
“You found it.” He said bluntly. “Does it not please you my lady?” His tone could cut through steel.
“I didn’t know you knew how to play the piano.” Twilight said.
“It’s an old hobby.” He said as he went back over to the piano and closed the ld over the keys. “Helps me unwind.” He collected the books and covered the piano with a sheet.
“Can you play something?” Saber turned to look at the lavender clad Princess with a raised eyebrow.
“No,” He said as he flattened the sheet.
“Why not?” Ebony asked.
“Because I’m beyond rusty, it’s been three years since I’ve even seen a piano let alone play one. I need to relearn how to play it.” He said as he put his hand on the instrument. “And even after I relearn it theres not a chance in the nine circles of Tartarus I’d play it for either of you.” The two women looked at him in surprise. “Not to mention that you two seem adamant about ruining any shred of enjoyment I may have while I’m here.”
“You need to start showing Ebony and I some respect.” Twilight said as she narrowed her eyes on him. “That’s the only way this arrangement is going to work.” Saber glared an angry glare at the two women.
“You don’t demand my respect, you earn it.” He shifted his gaze to Ebony. “Remember that next time you’re instructing your men. Might actually get them to listen to you then.” He turned to Twilight.
“Why should I give you the time of day let alone my respect? All you’ve done since we’ve met is berate me and enforced your will on me like a goddamn tyrant. If I had known it was gonna be like this I would have preferred to stay in that Celestia forsaken pit. At least there I have more freedom and that’s saying something.” With that he stormed out of the room and banged his shoulder into Ebony’s on his way out.
She glared at him as he turned the corner and left her field of vision. He decided to get his mind off things by taking a walk through the streets of the small town. He was still getting use to the small town. He was more of a city dweller, but he could appreciate the quiet the town had to offer and the people were friendly enough. Saber headed into the tavern and saw a group of guards lounging in booths.
He took a seat at the bar and called to the bartender. The bartender had dark brown hair and a matching beard.
“What can I get you?” He asked.
“Anything to get my mind off today.” He groaned. “Make it strong.” The bartender nodded and set out a glass and filled it with some auburn liquid. Saber slammed the drink back and winced. “Oh that’s good stuff.” He slapped a few bits on the table and ordered another.
“What’s eating you?” One of the guards called out. Saber turned to face the four. One was a muscular man with short blonde hair. The one to his left was a woman with short orange hair and pristine green eyes. To her right was another woman with dark brown hair and similar brown eyes. The last one was a tall man with dark shoulder length hair that was naturally curly.
“It’s about six foot, long black hair and has an attitude problem.” The four all let out a groan in understanding. Saber grabbed his drink and joined the guards. “I take it you four have met the new captain?”
“Oh yeah,” The blonde one said.
“Won’t she be even more pissed if she finds you here?”
“We’re off duty today.” The brown haired man said as he put his hand out. “Willem Switch.” Saber shook it. “This is Nova,” He gestured to orange haired the girl. “She’s Fella and this is Simon.” The woman with blonde hair nodded along with the other man.
“Argent.” Saber said as Nova leaned forwards.
“We’ve seen you around the castle.” She said as she narrowed her eyes. “A lot of time spent with the captain. Are you two,” She raised her eyebrows. “together?” Saber almost spat his drink out and chuckled.
“Oh god no,” He said as he set his drink down. “we aren’t involved more than just being forced to work together.” A thought came to him and he smiled. “She isn’t hard on the eyes though.”
“She is quite attractive.” Willem said as the assassin and the other male guard gave the slightest of nods.
“She’s got nice hair.” Fella stated.
“Nice eyes.” Simon added.
“Not to mention she’s got a nice ass.” The four guards all looked at the white haired man in confusion. “A few weeks ago we got into a little sparring and I managed to cup a little bit of a feel.” He chuckled.
“Bullshit.” Fella said. “How are you still breathing if you did that?” Saber threw his hands up and shrugged.
“My charm?” He chuckled to himself. Saber sat back and thought for a moment as he remembered the slap. The four guards’ faces went ashen white. “She was firm, with the right amount of bounce. Perfect blend of muscle and cushion.”
They each shook their heads and Nova made a slicing motion across her neck with one of her hands. Saber raised and eyebrow before letting out a sigh. “She’s right behind me isn’t she?” He turned his head to see the dark haired captain with a face red with anger and embarrassment and golden eyes filled with fury. He turned back around and continued drinking while the four guards’ looked at the captain.
“You four should leave,” She seethed before her eyes went back onto the man. “now.” Her tone was low but weighed close to ten tons. The guards quickly made themselves scarce and even the bartender had the wits to leave and take some inventory in the back room. As the door to the back room closed shut Ebony took a seat across from the assassin and glared at him.
“Need something?” He asked as he sipped his drink.
“Why do you insist on making me look bad in front of my men?” She hissed.
“I was not making you look bad. I was actually complimenting you.” He said in a nonchalant tone. Ebony only glared at him with a blazing intensity that was met with one of equal intensity coming from the white haired man. “If you keep glaring like that you’re going to get wrinkles.” Ebony bit her lip and wanted to bite his head off but instead set her anger aside and let out breath of air she didn’t realize she was holding.
Screaming at him would do nothing other than escalate the argument and potentially get physical. While she didn’t have a problem knocking him around, she needed to maintain a respectable image in the castle and in town. If she beat him up whilst he was under the guise f a noble and the Princess’s assistant it could end badly. Reluctantly she swallowed her pride and shoved her anger aside before speaking.
“I would greatly appreciate it if you would refrain from,” She bit back the rage that was boiling in her. “speaking about my posterior to my men.” Saber was surprised at the amount of self control the woman displayed. He smiled.
“Well, this is a surprise. I suppose you do have manners after all.” Her eyes grew angry again, but he held up his hand. “I’ll refrain from making any more jabs at you in front of your men.” She looked at him intensely. He was either the best liar she’d ever met, or he was telling the truth. The questions Twilight had asked were heavy on her mind, but she knew better than to try the direct approach, so she started small.
“Where did you learn to play the piano?” Saber raised an eyebrow at the question.
“Why?” She shrugged as she folded her arms.
“It sounded like you weren’t a beginner.”
“I’m not. I knew how to play dozens of songs before,” He bit his lip and Ebony saw a small flicker of rage show up in his eye. “before I was sent away.” He said delicately. “I learned from my mentor I guess.” He said as he sipped his drink.
“Your mentor?”
“I wasn’t born with my skills. I had to learn from someone.” He said in a flat tone. “She taught me nearly everything I know.”
“What was her name?” He frowned slightly at her.
“Why the sudden interest in my personal life?” He said with a raised eyebrow. Ebony sat back and crossed one of her legs over the other.
“It’s come to light that neither Twilight, nor I know much about you.”
“Does that really matter? My job is to protect her, who cares about my past? My past is in the past. No sense bringing it up.”
“If we’re going to trust you then we need to know more about you.” Ebony stated bluntly.
“You two have got to be the nosiest clients I’ve ever dealt with.” He sighed. “I don’t think this is either the time, nor place to talk about my job history, but if you insist I’ll be sure to go into excruciating detail.” He eyed the closet door that was cracked open a hair or two. Ebony sighed and stood up.
“I’m heading back to the castle, I expect to see you there soon.”
“Yes mother,” He said as she left the establishment. Saber finished his drink and ventured out into the small town. He stopped by several shops including; the town’s carpenter Caramel, Rarity’s boutique and even came across Zecora, the town’s resident shaman who sold all manner of potions and rare herbal ingredients. It was evening when he got back to the castle and he went to his room. He pulled out some of the ingredients and tools he bought with some of the money he swiped from various guards.
A mortar and pestle, various herbs and ingredients, some clay canisters. He started to grind various herbs up into the clay bowl and added various other ingredients into the canisters. As he finished the last one, he felt a prickling sensation and he set the book aside and walked into the hallway with Caelena strapped over his back, her handle rested above his right shoulder. As he rounded a corner he saw a hooded figure running towards him. He jumped back as the hooded figure slashed at him.
In a moment, Celeana was in his hand and was ready. He quirked an eyebrow as he looked at the assailant’s stance. The hooded figure charged again with a knife drawn. Saber dropped his guard and waited. The knife stopped an inch from his neck.
“Is this supposed to be some sort of test Ebby?” A familiar grunt escaped her lips as she pulled the knife away and pulled the hood back to show her dark hair.
“How did you know?” She asked as she sheathed the small knife.
“You’re rigid stance was a dead give away, anyone in my field knows how stiff the royal guards’ movements are.” He pointed to his nose and sniffed. “I also know that you’re the only one in the castle who wears that perfume.” He sniffed the air again. “Saffron Breeze, correct?” Ebony’s face flushed a bright red at the words as he chuckled. “I honestly never expected you, of all people, to wear perfume.”
“I never expected an assassin to be a perfume connoisseur,” She said in a flat tone. “and don’t sniff me. It’s creepy.” She folded her arms under her chest. “Twilight received a letter this evening from Princess Celestia.” Saber rolled his eyes at the mention of the woman. “She is needed there for an urgent meeting in Canterlot tomorrow at noon.” She narrowed her eyes on him. “You are to come as well.”
“Of course I am.” Ebony turned on her heel and walked away.
“We leave at dawn.” Sabe sheathed his blade and went back to his room humming to himself. He crawled into bed and sighed heavily as he stared at the ceiling until he fell asleep.
The next morning Saber, Twilight, the captain and Spike boarded the earliest train to reach Canterlot by noon. Saber yawned as he looked out the window to see the morning sun just starting to peek over the horizon. He felt something moist against his right shoulder and looked to see the lavender clad Princess using his shoulder as a pillow. He made a note that she was also drooling.
He quickly reclaimed his shoulder out from under her chin. The quick sensation made the princess stir. She looked around the cabin then back to Saber.
“I am not a pillow.” He said as he wiped her drool off his shoulder. Twilight blushed in embarrassment.
“Sorry,” She said as she straightened her posture. Saber ignored the words and returned his attention to the window. Twilight looked at him and saw he was dressed in newer clothes than the ones she’d seen. “Where did you get those clothes?”
“Your friend Rarity was kind enough to make me them for me.” He said looking at his dark red cloak, matching pants and a pristine white shirt. “She’s quite handy with a needle and thread.” He said as he admired the craftsmanship again.
“Rarity is quite the tailor.” Twilight said. She looked across at Ebony who was in her full armor. “Maybe you should get some fancy clothes too Ebony, I’m sure Rarity would love to make you a dress.” The captain adverted her eyes from the Princess.
“I am not one for formal wear your majesty.” While Ebony had started calling her by her first name, she needed to keep up the formalities while they were in public.
“Oh nonsense, I’d bet you’d look great.” Twilight nudged Saber who turned to look at the dark haired captain sitting across from him. His teal eyes looked her up and down taking in all her assets. He gave a simple shrug.
“I suppose.” He stated calmly. “Although you’d probably have an easier time of getting me in a dress than this one.” Ebony didn’t respond. Twilight huffed.
“While we’re meeting with the Princesses I trust that you’ll refrain from making any comments.” Saber turned his attention to Twilight.
“I am not your slave.” He said harshly. “I have the most to lose in situation and from now on you need to address me as Argent. I’m a young Canterlot noble assigned by Celestia herself to assist you in royal matters. It’ll be a huge problem for both of us if my cover were to get blown.”
The train soon pulled into Canterlot station and there was an armed escort waiting for them. Three guards walked on either side of the four companions as they made their way to a carriage destined for the castle. “I wager half the Canterlot nobles will be there to greet us.” Saber stated.
“How do you know? The Princess didn’t make an announcement.” Spike said. Saber chuckled at the words.
“The nobles have this place watched like a military compound. I spotted several messengers no doubt ordered to flock back to their employers and notify them that we’re here.” Spike, Ebony and Twilight looked at one another in confusion.
“I didn’t see anyone.” Ebony said.
“That’s the point, no one sees them and the nobles get an entire network of information.” Saber leaned to the side and looked out the window. He gestured outside and Twilight looked to see several important looking well dressed nobles. “Called it!” Saber said as the carriage pulled to a stop. He turned back to the occupants. “Now remember to walk like you own the place and the air within a ten mile radius.”
Saber stepped out first and offered his hand to Twilight. She played along and took it as he helped her out of the carriage. Spike and Ebony both got out on their own. As the four walked towards the castle the whispers of the nobles could be heard by the white haired man who put on an air of arrogance to rival Prince Blueblood’s.
Once they were inside the four were greeted by a butler who escorted them to the throne room where Celestia and Luna sat. By their sides as always were Solaris and Artemis. Saber avoided eye contact with the them as they entered the massive room. When the Princesses turned to face them Ebony bowed low as did Twilight. Saber remained standing and pretending they weren’t even in the room.
The Princesses ignored him as well before turning to Twilight and smiling at her and the other two.
“It’s nice to see you Spike.” Celestia smiled at the drake.
“Nice to see you two as well.” He smiled. The guests each took a seat at the table, however Saber decided to sit near an open window and gaze out at the city below. Celestia sipped her tea and looked at Ebony.
“Tell me captain, how are the troops coming along?” Ebony forced a small smile.
“They’re coming along well, not as well as I like, but they should be up to standards soon.” She stated with confidence.
“Ebony has been drilling the guards vigorously since she took command.” Twilight stated. Luna nodded in approval at this.
“It’s nice to see that she’s taking her new role seriously.” She shot a look at the white haired man who ignored the jab. Instead he stood up and walked towards the door. “Where are you going?” Saber turned to face them.
“It’s evident that I’m not needed nor wanted here, so I figured I’d see myself out.” He said in a bland tone.
“Stop. You’re not leaving.” Solaris stated.
“No,” Twilight spoke up. “he can go.” Everyone turned to look at the lavender Princess. “I’m in the presence of Princess Celestia, Luna and three of Equestria’s elite guards. I believe I’m safe enough.” Saber gave her a nod and exited the meeting room.
The white haired man exited the castle but soon heard footsteps behind him. He groaned as he saw three royal guards in full armor following behind.
“Can I help you three?” He asked as he looked at the men.
“We’re under strict orders from Lord Solaris to accompany you should you decide to leave the castle sir.” One of them stated. Saber let out a huff but decided that arguing would be pointless.
“Very well.” He said as he walked into the shinning city. It was true that he’d hoped to get some shopping done. He had some money he’d lifted off of some of the idiot guards back in Ponyville. The down side was the three sets of eyes told to watch him. No doubt they’d report anything he’d buy directly to the Princesses and worse, Ebony. He heard the guards whispering to one another and thanks to his well trained hearing he could just make out what they were saying.
“Why are we on babysitting duty?” One of the guards complained before being silence by a swift hit to his side by the guard to his left.
“It’s our job.”
“I didn’t sign on to be paraded around the street by some lordling.” Saber bit his lip to prevent himself from uttering a rather nasty curse that threatened to leave his lips. An idea came to him and he turned to face the guards.
“Gentlemen, I have a proposition for you.” The three guards stopped walking and looked at him incredulously. “I happen to know an establishment not too far from here that has an abundant female population that love guards in uniform.” The guards’ eyes lit up at the words. “I’d be more than happy to show you where it is, for a price.” The three men looked at one another and talked amongst themselves.
“What do you want?”
“Just to have some privacy while I do my shopping.” Saber said. “I’ll show you where it is and even pay for the first round of drinks for you and three lovely ladies.” Three smiles appeared on the guards' faces. “No one has to know anything and if someone asks, I’ll say I gave you the slip.” The three guards looked at one another and shrugged.
“You got yourself a deal.” Saber grinned and lead them through the streets and some alleyways one would not want to walk down even in broad daylight. Saber stopped in front of a three story building between a bar and a taxidermist. The sign above the building read ‘The Velvet Glove.’
“Here it is.” Saber said as he tossed one of the guards a small bag of coins.
“How much time do you need?”
“Only about two hours, maybe three?” Saber shrugged. “I’ll come back here when I’m done shopping and then we head back to the castle right?” The three nodded and went inside the establishment as Saber walked away and did some shopping of his own.
Three hours later, Saber and three very satisfied guards returned to the castle where the guards broke off from the assassin to go relax after their hard day of work. As Saber walked by the royal guard training ground he saw something quite peculiar. A Changeling, three to be specific. Two were sparring with one another with training in hand to hand combat while the third watched.
As he approached he saw their jet black skin shine under the sun light. One of the ones who were sparring was female and had her light purple hair tied into a braid that went to the middle of their back, while the other had short orange hair and matching cat like eyes. As he drew closer the one who was leaning against the wall stood up and put his hand on his sword's handle. The two in the sparring circle also stopped and looked at Saber. “Oh please, don’t stop on my account.”
“What do you want?” The purple haired woman asked in a heavy accent as she made a gesture across her chest. Saber closed one hand into a fist and slammed it against his chest before flattening it and brushing it down his shirt as if he were dusting some dirt off the front. The three looked at him in surprise. The one with the shorter purple hair mimicked the gesture.
“It is rare to find one of your people who knows our hand speak.” The man said in a clearer cadence then his companion.
“I spent some time in your country a few years ago, before the invasion.” Saber stated. “I’m rusty.” He said with the hand gestures. The woman spat on the ground beside her and glared at him.
“What do you want?” She asked in a harsh tone. The intensity in her orange eyes made a chill crawl up Saber’s spine.
“Now, now Petra,” The orange haired man said. “let’s not be rude to one of our hosts.”
“I don’t live here.” Saber pointed to the castle behind him. “I’m here because my charge has an important meeting.” He said with a roll of his eyes. The orange haired Changeling laughed.
“It appears we are in similar boats. That is the expression right?” Saber nodded as he felt the man’s eyes looking him over. “Want to spar? It should help pass the time.” Saber noticed Petra and the other changeling looking at their companion with wide eyes.
The changeling looked at his two companions. “Don’t mind them they won’t interfere,” He narrowed his eyes on the two. “will you?” They shook their heads as Petra exited the sparring circle. Saber removed the fine blue cloak Rarity had made him and rolled up his sleeves to his elbows.
“I should have you know, that I don’t pull punches.” He flashed a look at Petra who glared at him.
“I have a similar rule.” He said before he jabbed at Saber’s side. He quickly side stepped the blow and went for a kick. The changeling caught the limb with his free hand as he kicked the other foot out from under the white haired man. He followed up with a swift punch to the chest that sent Saber crashing to the ground. Saber grunted as he got to his feet and cracked his fingers.
“My name is Ramil Alburtuqali.” He said with a bow and a flourish of one hand. Saber grinned and cracked his back.
“Argent Cavalier,” He brushed himself off and gestured for him to wait a moment. Ramil complied and waited as Saber ran back inside the castle. He came out a few minutes later wearing less fancy attire. “Apologies, but I just got those clothes and I didn’t want to get blood on them.” Ramil grinned a dark grin.
“I can’t promise you’d leave without a scratch anyway.” He said as Saber stepped back into the circle.
“Who said it was going to be my blood?” He said as he went back into the fray.
~~~
Twilight had spent most of the time she’d been at the castle talking with Celestia and Luna about small things while Ebony remained quiet. However, soon the Princesses’ tones grew serious and they had informed Twilight that a member of the Changeling Royal family had sought asylum in Equestria. A question had been hanging on the young Princess’s mind.
“Princess, what does this Changeling Prince have to do with my being here?” She asked as she looked up at her mentor. Celestia stopped walking and looked at Twilight.
“There are many nobles along with several guards and citizens of Canterlot who have not yet healed from the invasion.” She stated firmly. “The Prince is our last hope for peace with the Changeling Imperium so keeping him safe is our highest priority until Chrysalis is caught.” Twilight nodded in understanding, but she along with Ebony, were still lost. “To keep him safe, I am having him stay with you in Ponyville.”
The two women looked at the Princess in surprise. Twilight didn’t hate Changelings, but she still held a grudge against the ones who ransacked her home city and almost ruined her brother’s wedding. “I know I am asking a lot of you Twilight, but it is necessary if we wish to keep the peace between our nations.”
“Ponyville is small and away from the prying eyes of Canterlot.” Luna stated. “Most people would not think to look there.” Twilight gulped.
“Think of this as a chance to learn about a different culture and I’m sure the Prince is eager to learn about Equestria too.” Celestia said with a smile. “I hear Prince Ramil has an interest in ancient Equestrian history.” That set Twilight at ease a bit knowing they had some common ground.
“When do we meet this Prince your majesty?” Ebony asked.
“If I recall he said he wanted to tour the castle with his two guards.” Ebony nodded but something caught her eye. She turned towards the window overlooking the training ground and her blood ran cold as she stopped walking.
“I think I found him your highness.” She pointed a finger out onto the training ground where the orange haired Prince was locked in a brawl with a familiar assassin. Rage and worry filled Celestia and Luna as they watched them exchange blows. Saber jumped back and stood across from the Prince. They were both bruised and a bit bloodied.
“You are good.” Ramil said as he spat some blood on the ground.
“Not so bad yourself,” Saber panted. “for a noble.” Ramil grinned darkly at the comment. The two charged at one another again with their fists raised. The two stopped short of each other as a familiar veteran soldier teleported between them.
“What in the nine circles of Tartarus is going on here?” Solaris glared at Saber who had a cross look on his face.
“Sparring practice.” He stated flatly as the rest of the group joined them on the field. Celestia’s eye as she thought of the political storm that he’d just wrought.
“This is Prince Ramil Alburtuqali of the Changeling Imperium.” Ebony stated through grit teeth. Saber didn’t even have to look at Ebony or Twilight to know they were burning a hole through him with their glares. Saber instead looked past Solaris and at the Prince who had a questioning look on his face.
“My charges.” Saber said in hand speak as he motioned his head to Twilight and Ebony and made a grimacing face. “I’m in a lot of trouble.” He gestured. Ramil grinned and shot him a wink.
“Princess,” Ramil started. “I asked one of your men to help me better understand your Equestrian ways of fighting.” He said nodding to Saber. The group had their eyes on the assassin again who nodded.
“I wasn’t about to say no to a guest as esteemed as him. What kind of example would I set if I did?” Saber stated in a nonchalant tone it was almost natural. Saber cracked his back and made the gesture for polite excusal to the Prince. “Apologies your grace, but it appears you have urgent business to attend to.” Ramil looked at the royal family and nodded.
“Indeed I do, but I would like to see you again.” Ramil said as Petra and the other changeling walked up to him and handed him his coat while Saber departed to where he stashed his clothes. Ebony was not far behind him and she was not pleased.
“What the hell were you thinking?” She yelled at Saber who simply shrugged off the yell. “Do you have the slightest idea what could have happened if he pressed charges?”
“You heard him Ebby, he asked for it, literally.” He said as he started to unbutton his shirt. “Besides, I wanted to size the Prince up.” Ebony balled her hands into fists and let out a deep breath.
“I cannot believe you got into a bloody fist fight the rightful heir to the Changeling throne. Of all the people in Canterlot you could hate, it had to be him?” Saber looked at her in confusion.
“Hate him? Who said I hate him?” Ebony gestured back to the sparring circle that still had a bit of blood in the dirt. “That was just a friendly fist fight between two friends.” He smiled.
“You’re friends with the Prince?”
“No, we're just two men who wanted to let off some steam.” He said calmly. “He could have stopped the fight any time with a single gesture, or motion to one of his guards and I would have back off. Besides, he seems like a capable fighter.”
“You could have at least gone easy on him.” She said as she crossed her arms under her chest. Saber stared at her blankly.
“Ebony,” He said in a bland tone. “if I hadn’t pulled my punches then Celestia and Luna would be having their peace talks with a corpse and there’d be bits of his body guards scattered around the training grounds.” He said it in such a calm collected tone it made Ebony’s skin crawl.
“Just refrain from fighting him in broad daylight with all of Canterlot as an audience.” She said before leaving to rejoin Twilight and the other Princesses. Saber felt a small bit of blood run from the corner of his mouth. He touched the warm red liquid with one finger and he smiled.
After addressing his minor wounds, Saber cleaned himself up and made himself look presentable before he rejoined the Princesses and the three guards. As he entered the meeting hall he immediately felt eyes on him. He ignored them and noticed there was no table or any sign of the Prince or his guards.
“Negotiations over already?” He asked as he looked at the room. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was just starting to peek behind the horizon so torches were lit up on the sides of the wall to illuminate the hall’s interior.
“Yes,” Luna stated. “Prince Ramil will be staying with Princess Sparkle in Ponyville.” Saber couldn’t help but grin at the words.
“You are not to attack him in anyway.” Celestia stated firmly.
“It was just sparring practice and besides, it felt good to fight someone on somewhat equal footing for once.” Ebony grit her teeth at the words.
“It has come to out attention that we do not know the extent of your abilities.” Luna stated. “We need to make sure you are physically capable of protecting Princess Sparkle.”
“It is time we give you a test.” As the words left Celestia’s lips, Saber heard the sound of charging armored boots against the fine marble floor. Four armored guards surrounded him each having a different weapon clutched in their hands. Saber noticed that Solaris had erected a barrier between them and the rest of the room. The guard with the large double edged sword charged at him and swung the large blade. Saber quickly backed away from the guard as another charged at him with a shorter sword and shield.
The guard tried to jab him with the sharp blade while keeping his shield up. Saber ducked left and right staying just out of reach of the guard’s blade. He noticed the third with a long spear was charging at him from the other direction. The guard tried to use his spear to swipe his feet but Saber quickly jumped out of the way and landed in front of a pillar. As he looked back at the guards he saw something large and silver being thrown at him. He quickly moved his head out the way as a spiked ball on a chain slammed into the marble pillar behind him.
The ball made a large dent in the pillar before it was yanked out by it’s owner. Saber eyed the four guards who stood ready for him. “Okay,” Saber took in a deep breath and exhaled as he brought out his two knives strapped to his lower back. “my turn.” With a sudden burst of speed, he charged at the four guards.
The sword and shield guard went in first and tried to knock him off balance with his shield. The assassin dodged the blow easily and got in close to the guard. Sparks flew as the guard’s parried Saber’s knife away from his chest. With one perfect step, Saber backed away as the guard holding the large sword swung at him. Saber spun out of the way and slammed his fist into the guard’s jaw, stunning him. Saber brought his dagger down, but the knife was launched from his hand as the flying spiked ball caught the blade’s edge.
To save his hand, Saber let the blade fall and took a few steps back just as the blunt end of the spear collided with his ankles. Saber swore as he toppled down, but before his head hit the hard floor, his hands sprang out and connected with the smooth stone. He pushed himself back and his feet were once again firmly planted on the floor. Saber charged in again and engaged the great sword. As he dodged, he pulled one of the clay canisters from his coat pocket and threw it on the ground.
The canister shattered and a large cloud of smoke enveloped the group. The guards went into a coughing fit as the smoke burned their throats and eyes. One of the guards ducked as a throwing knife shot through the smoke. More knives pierced the smokey veil and each time they just barely managed to dodge the knives. There was the sound of shattering glass and the guard holding the sword felt a cool breeze as the smoke started to thin.
As the smoke vanished, they had realized that all but one of the torches were extinguished. Next to the still lit torch, there was a throwing knife embedded in the wall beside it. The shielded guard made motion and the group formed up back to back with their weapons drawn.
“Coward!” One of the guards yelled as he peered out into the darkness. Footsteps echoed in the darkness and the group tensed. “Easy lads, he’s just trying to spook us.” The steps kept echoing and the guards all felt beads of sweat on their foreheads. The steps suddenly stopped and all sound had left the room safe for the guards’ breathing. Minutes ticked by and the guards were only getting more on edged.
“Where are you?” The guard with the spear yelled out in the darkness.
“Right here.” The guard with the longsword whirled around just as Saber slammed Caelena’s handle into his jaw, stunning him before he kicked his head with the heel of his boot. The guard crumpled to the floor like a mass of boneless skin. The one with the spear charged at the assassin. Saber side stepped as he did before, but this time he caught the staff with both hands and broke it in half as he brought his knee up against the wooden weapon.
He slammed his forehead against the guard’s before he wrenched the broken poles from the guard’s hands. Saber slammed his head between the dull wooden ends and the loud cracking of metal and bone filled the room. The guard fell back on the stone floor, bleeding from the sides of his head. Saber immediately ducked just as the spiked ball and chain came flying at his head. He gripped the flying chain and pulled hard. The guard fell forwards and his armor clattered against the floor.
Saber was on the guard in an instant and he got on the man’s back before wrapping the metal around the guard’s neck and pulling it taught. As the last guard charged, he held up the guard as a shield in front of him. The swords couldn’t get to him without hurting the meat shield. After the guard had stopped struggling, Saber threw the limp body at the one with the shield.
The guard cursed as he dodged the unconscious body and felt a hand grip his hair and yank his head forward into side of the shield. Once, twice, and on the third time he started to see stars. He felt a firm fist find it’s home in his cheek and the man toppled over. Saber leapt on him and pinned his arm that sill clutched the sword with a knee while the other rested on his chest. Saber gripped his hair once more and held the edge Caelena’s blade to his throat.
“Well, did I pass?” He could feel the burning sensation in his throat as Celestia snapped her fingers and the torches were ignited once more. Solaris quickly ran over to the guards and Saber got off the one. Solaris was fuming with rage and would have killed him were the Princesses not there.
“Look what you did!” He gestured to the bleeding guard. Saber looked surprised as he sheathed Caelena.
“Me? I didn’t do this.” He turned to Celestia and gave her a dark smile. “She did.” Celestia clenched her teeth and was balling her hands into fists. “She knew full well what she was doing when she called those sods in here and set them against me and now she hates herself for it.”
Ebony walked up and slapped him across the face with the back of her hand. Saber didn’t flinch or stagger back. He just looked at her with his cold empty teal eyes. “I could have killed them in more than a dozen different ways.” He said as he cracked his neck and relaxed his posture.
“Why didn’t you?” Artemis hissed. Saber shrugged and shook his head as Ebony went back over to Twilight's side.
“Please, it’d be like lambs to the slaughter. No challenge, no fun.” He said as Artemis glared at him.
“Besides, they’re not who I want to kill.” His tone grew darker.
“And who might that be?”
“No one you should be concerned about.” He said as he cracked his back. “Is this all for today, then I’ll just return to my room.” He yawned as he stretched.
“We’re not finished here.” The guard who once held the great sword yelled as he stood up.
“Oh I know, that’s why I’m leaving.” As he turned around he felt a familiar stinging sensation slam against his back. He stopped and his body went rigid as a bar of steel. Saber didn’t need to turn to know what had happened. He’d felt this feeling hundreds of times over the course of three long, agonizing years. The guard had just whipped him.
It wasn’t the fact that the guard had attacked him, it was that he’d used a whip. When that leather hit his back, every memory of him getting whipped in the pits of Purgatory came crashing back like waves against rock. They say when someone is angry they feel a white hot ball of flame in their chest. For most this is accurate and they act on pure instinct, thrashing about randomly like a madman, but for someone like Saber, it’s more of an ice cold feeling that seeps into every muscle, bone and every part of his body.
As he turned back around, Twilight’s stomach dropped and felt as if she was staring down twelve of Tirek. The man’s expression was dark and his teal eyes held nothing but murderous intent. She looked to the other’s in the room and saw that they were in a similar state. Ebony and the other two officers were clutching the handle of their blades so tightly they were shaking.
Saber took in a deep breath and exhaled. His body went from rigid to relaxed. Two of the three had woken up and were getting to their feet and picked up their weapons. When Saber opened his eyes the three guards felt as if they were staring into the eyes of death itself. Saber did not reach for his blade, instead he put the palms of his hands together as if he were praying. A loud cracking sound filled the room as he flexed his hands and cracked each finger against his thumbs.
“You should not have done that.” As the words left his lips his eyes sharpened. Twilight was captivated by his angry teal eyes that seemed to pierce everything they took in. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she swore that there was a small ring of red encircling his right pupil. The guards blinked and the white haired man vanished from their sight. The others looked around but saw no trace of the assassin. A sudden scream of pain hit their ear drums as they saw the shielded guard fall with a spray of blood coming from his chest.
Before the first guard fell to the floor, the second guard cried out in pain as Caelena cut across his back. Saber made a dash towards the guard who still had the whip in his hands. The guard was rooted to the floor as he looked into the man's eyes. As Saber closed the distance he saw a familiar silver blade come into view. Artemis’ sword pierced his chest and he glared into the guard's dark blue eyes that were now like that of a snake’s. “I hate it when interlopers cut in when I’m dancing!”
The assassin’s body started to shift and erupted into a swarm of ravens. Artemis covered his face as the black birds pecked at him. Suddenly, the bird’s vanished and Artemis whirled around to see Saber swinging his blade at the stunned guard’s neck.
“Stop!” As the words left Twilight’s lips saber’s whole body went stiff as iron. His blade stopped just as it made contact with the guard’s throat. Saber’s angry eyes glared at the lavender Princess. He struggled against the command seal, but his arm would not budge.
“Drop the sword.” His hand acted against his will and Caelena clattered against the stone. The guard stumbled back eager to get away from the man. He put a hand to his neck and saw there was blood on his palm, not a lot, but still his. Solaris pulled his blade out and pointed it at Saber’s throat while Artemis picked up Caelena.
“The next time you try something like this, I’ll kill you.” He said in a serious tone. Saber remained silent as the guards were taken away to the infirmary. After several minutes, Saber felt the seal’s influence leave him. Without a word, Saber turned to leave the Princesses and their guards. He stopped as he reached the door and whistled.
Artemis felt an invisible force rip the Caelena from his hands. The blade spun end over end towards the door until it flew into it’s owner’s hand. Saber swung Caelena with a flourish and a line of stained the floor where he swung. He twirled the blade in his hand before sheathing it.
“The next time one of your dogs takes a whip to me,” He turned and glared at the three princesses and the guards. Twilight gulped as she saw the bright red ring in his eyes, this time it seemed smaller and less vibrant. “I collect their head and put it them display in your bedroom.” They all stared at him. “This is not a threat, it’s a promise. If it’s one thing I pride myself on, it’s that I always keep my word.” The ring seemed to vanish before he turned back around and exited the room. A thought wormed it’s way into all of their heads.
They wanted an assassin and gods help, them they got one.
After his demonstration yesterday, Saber stayed clear of the Princesses and the their guards. Thankfully Spike had not been present during his fight, but Twilight always kept him close to her side. Whenever he crossed Twilight or Ebony’s paths’ he pointedly ignored them and they did the same. As he made his way out into the courtyard he saw a familiar trio of changelings. The Prince appeared to be playing some kind of game with Petra.
Judging by her expression, she was losing. He approached the pavilion carefully. The Prince looked up from the game and a thin smile appeared on his face. Petra turned and glared at the white haired man.
“I hope I’m not intruding your grace.” Saber said as he gestured the greeting.
“Not at all, I was just finishing up a game with Petra.” He said as he moved a piece on the board and Petra dropped her head in defeat. Saber looked at the board and raised an eyebrow.
“Your grace plays chess?” Saber had seen a few people playing it back when he was an assassin.
“Do you?” Saber shook his head.
“Only a little,” Ramil chuckled and gestured towards Petra’s seat.
“I don’t want to intrude.” The Prince made a gesture of dismissal.
“It’s no intrusion. Come, play a round.” Saber felt the guards’ eyes on him and he nodded.
“As you wish.” Petra stood up and took a seat beside the Prince. Saber slowly sat down across from the man as he reset the board. “It’s been quite a while since I last played.”
“I’ll be sure to go easy on you then.” Saber chuckled at the words. “I understand I will be staying with Princess Sparkle while I’m in this country.” He said as he moved a pawn.
“I remember hearing something about that.” He said as he moved a piece.
“You work with Princess Sparkle do you not?” Saber rolled his eyes at the mention of the Princess. “Sore subject?”
“We had a bit of a disagreement your grace,” He stated bluntly. “nothing to trouble yourself over.”
“Don’t be so reserved. I’ve been cooped up in this castle with no one interesting to talk to for days.” He looked back at his two guards. “No offense, Petra, Malik.” The two guards made a gesture letting him no they were not offended.
He turned back to Saber. “So go on, tell me what troubles you.” Saber bit his lip as he thought of the right way to phrase his actions.
“She and the captain don’t like the way I handled a situation and I will admit that I did get emotional for a moment, but I felt compelled to do what I did.” He said calmly.
“What is it you do?” Petra asked. Ramil looked at his guard with a blank expression on his face, but deep down Petra knew she’d just overstepped her bounds. “Forgive me.” Saber gestured dismissively.
“It’s alright. Since we’re all going to be living together it’s only natural that you all know what I do for Princess Sparkle.” He said as he straightened his shirt. “I’m her court advisor. I help Princess Sparkle navigate the Canterlot court.” Ramil folded his hands and nodded.
“That is a difficult job, dangerous one too.” He stated. “Still, the ends do not always justify the means.” Saber didn’t have time to offer a rebuttal as a messenger came up to Malik and handed him a message. He read it and then handed it to the Prince who let out a sigh.
“Apologies Argent, but I must finalize my travel arrangements with Princess Celestia.” He stood up and his guards followed. “Hold on to the game, we will play again in Ponyville.” Saber gestured respectful goodbye.
“I’ll hold you to it your grace.” The Prince and his two guards left the white haired man. Saber looked down at the chess set. They were made of black and white stone carved in different shapes and sizes. He packed up the board and pieces and walked back inside the shining castle. As soon as he crossed the threshold of the massive double doors a messenger ran up to him.
“Begging your pardon sir, but Princess Sparkle wants to speak to you.” Saber rolled his eyes at the words.
“Of course she does, where is she?” He asked as he gave the messenger a few bits.
“She and Captain Northwind are waiting for you in the garden.” He nodded and went to pack the chess set away in his things. He was ten minutes late as he arrived at the gardens. He saw Twilight and Ebony sitting at an elegant table. The two women turned and saw him approaching.
“You’re late.” Ebony stated.
“I am never late, nor am I early. I always arrive precisely when I mean to.” He said as he sat down. “Now what do you two want?”
“For you to explain your actions yesterday.” Twilight stated. Saber shrugged at the question.
“What’s to tell? Celestia told me to fight those idiots, so I did.”
“You almost killed three guards.” Ebony hissed.
“Be grateful that I didn’t. Those two fools got in my way. If I wanted to kill them then they’d be cut in half rather than the scratch I gave them,” Twilight felt goosebumps on her skin. “but I will admit I let my emotions get the better of me because of the whip.”
“The whip?” Twilight asked.
“Yes, it’s a horrible weapon in my opinion.” He stated. “It was first invented to use for cattle and other animals. So when you use it in a fight your basically saying that your opponent is less than human. An insult if ever I heard one. That’s why I did what I did.” A lie, but the best lies are ones that are mixed with a little the truth.
He could tell they had their doubts about him, so he decided to dangle a bit of bait for them. “How about I make you a deal so you stop hounding me about it?” The two woman raised an eyebrow at him. “I’ll let you each ask me one question and I’ll answer with full honestly.”
“How do we know you’ll tell us the truth?”
“I give you my word.” Ebony let out a loud sarcastic laugh. Saber turned his teal eyes on her. “I only have three things left in this world captain. My sword, my balls and my word. I don’t break any of them.” He then looked back to Twilight. “Or would you rather use those slave seals?”
“Slave seals?” Twilight asked. Saber pointed to where the command seals would show up on her hand.
“That magic is used by slavers to ensure their ‘property’ does what it’s told.” He said in a scathing tone. Twilight looked surprised as she glanced down at her hand. “What, you thought Celestia just made that spell up on the spot? It’s been used for hundreds, maybe over a thousand years by people like you to keep those beneath you in their place.”
Twilight felt a massive tremor of uneasiness as the words hit her. She hadn’t known this spell had been used for such a grim purpose. She pushed her feelings aside and nodded at him.
“Fine, we’ll trust you.”
“Thank you and before you ask I have a few rules. I can’t divulge any names of any previous contracts or any of my previous associates and if I deem a question too personal then I will not answer it.” Ebony frowned.
“Fair enough,” Twilight stated as she thought of the question to ask him. “When did you become an assassin?” Saber sat back in his chair and scratched his chin.
“That’s a hard one,” He stated. “I joined the guild when I was six and I was raised to initiate at the age of nine, but I wouldn’t become a full fledged assassin until I was thirteen.” Twilight looked stunned. She had no idea he’d been so young.
“Why so long a wait?” Twilight asked.
“You’ll come across a lot of ‘assassins’ in this world. Most of them are just desperate ex-soldiers or mercenaries wanting some easy money, but I, and those like me, are from a different crop. We train for years before we get to become initiates. If we live through the training, which most don't, then we apprentice under a seasoned assassin. When our mentor thinks we’re ready, we become assassins and take on contracts of our own.”
“There are more ranks beyond that, but that’s irrelevant.” He sat back in his chair and stretched. “Technically that was two questions, but I’ll let it slide.” Saber turned his attention to Ebony.
“What did you do to get sent to Purgatory?” Saber felt a small bit of rage rise up inside him. If he hadn’t given his word he would have brushed the question off, but a deal is a deal.
“What’s Purgatory?” Both heads turned towards the Princess.
“You’re kidding right?” Saber stated in disbelief. Her silence was her answer. “Celestia didn’t tell you did she?” He turned to Ebony. “Care to explain captain?”
“I thought she knew.” Ebony shrugged. Twilight huffed and crossed her arms.
“Purgatory was where I was before Celestia assigned me to guard you.” He stated bluntly. “It’s a death camp far, far away from any civilized society. It’s outside the shadowlands at the ass end of Equestria. Not even within the nation’s borders.” He huffed.
“It’s basically a dumping ground for anyone powerful who wants someone gone, but can’t, or don’t want to kill. Mostly political prisoners fleeing from Chrysalis’ regime or anyone that gets under anyone with power skin and the only way to get out is a ditch in the ground, aside from my case anyway.” He said as he sat back. “Back to the question at hand,” He turned to Ebony. “I pissed off the wrong people and they threw me in that hell to suffer.”
Twilight shivered as the cold look in his eyes that she saw yesterday returned. “When I’m done here, I’m going to find the ones who put me there and make them wish they were never born.” He said as a cruel smile spread across his face.
“Revenge is never the answer.” Twilight said with conviction. Saber frowned.
“Don’t lecture me Sparkle, you have no idea what you’re talking about.” Twilight frowned at him. “My world is completely different than yours and the captain’s. I don’t expect you to understand, just stay out of my way and let me do my job.” He stated in a blunt tone.
“For the next five years, I’m bound to your services. Consider me your left hand.”
“What do you mean?” She asked.
“What can your hand do? It gives, it takes, it beckons and makes a fist.” He clenched his right hand to demonstrate. “You need information on someone, you want me to help with a problem, if you want a thorn in your side removed, then I’m your man.”
"Why would I need someone like that?"
"A wise woman once told me ‘you offer one hand, but arm the other.’ Words to live by.” He said as he leaned in close. “Everyone in the court knows this and I’m here to make sure you know it too and prevent you from ending up with your throat slit.” Twilight absentmindedly ran a few fingers against her neck.
“Since my life literally depends on it, making you realize the truth of how things work in the court is my top priority.” The man's expression turned sour. “There is something else you should take note of as well." He leaned in on the table and glared at the two of them. "I am only going to tell you both this once and only once.”
Both women leaned in and listened intently. His eyes grew hard and sharper than any blade that had ever been or will ever be forged. “Don’t cross me. Don’t you ever try to cross me.” His tone was low but held the weight of the world on it. “If you do, then I will make it my mission in life to take away everything you hold dear and make you watch while I do it.” The air around the man seemed to grow cold.
“No guard, no Princess or god will be able to keep you safe from me.” Twilight felt her heart starting to beat fast and Ebony slowly slid her hand down onto her sword’s handle. “Before you even think about threatening me with anything, know that if I were scared of death I wouldn’t be here. Even if it costs me my life I will drag both of you to hell with me.” He sat back so he was sitting up straight.
“Do I make myself clear?” Twilight realized she was holding her breath and breathed.
“I understand.” As quickly as it came, the feeling vanished and Saber smiled a warm smile.
“Excellent, we’re all in agreement then.” Ebony only glared at him. “Oh stop with the angry eyes Ebby, you’re going to get wrinkles on that pretty face of yours.” Saber wasn’t sure if her cheeks went red with anger or embarrassment. “May I go about my business?”
“There’s one more thing.” Twilight stated. “I’ve been invited to an evening party.” That caught Saber’s attention.
“By who?”
“A noble by the name of Fancy Pants,” Ebony stated. “he’s a well respected noble by his peers and even by the common folk.”
“Do you know him?” Twilight nodded.
“He and his wife Fleur De Lis are good friends with Rarity. Although several other high ranking members of the court will be there.” Saber grinned. “Since the court is as dangerous as you claimed, I’m not sure if I should attend.”
“This is a perfect opportunity to see who the enemies are.” Saber smiled. “Send a runner and tell him that you’d be delighted to attend, but you’ll be bringing two guests.”
“Two?” Ebony said.
“Of course, you and I will be going as well.” Ebony felt a knot form in her throat. “It’ll be good training for you.”
“I have enough training.”
“You can never have enough training.” He smiled. “Besides, it’s time for the new piece to take it’s position on the board.” Saber stood up and cracked his neck. “Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go make myself presentable for the noble rabble.”
He looked at Ebony and he gave her a once over. “You should do the same. Wear something to make the nobles gawk a bit. Might even find yourself a husband,” He paused. “or a wife. I don’t know your preference.”
Ebony’s face was as red as a strawberry and she seemed to be unable to form a coherent quip. Saber turned on one heel and headed inside the castle to dress for the coming occasion.
~~~
Hours later Saber sat in a carriage beside Twilight who was sporting a fancy, yet modest looking gown that went to her ankles. The dress left her shoulders exposed yet covered her bust admirably. Saber’s attire consisted of a dark blue tunic with golden highlights and similar pants. His normal brown boots were replaced by ones made of velvet. Not the best for running or walking in, but they looked nice.
He took note that Ebony was no where to be seen. Twilight assured him that she’d be present. The carriage pulled to a halt in front of a large villa where several nobles were waiting to get inside. Saber looked at Twilight and gave her a smile.
“Relax, you’ll be fine.” He got out of the carriage and offered his hand to her. Twilight took it and stepped out of the carriage. Before her shoe hit the carpet, she could feel dozens of eyes on her and Saber. She threw on her best smile and stepped out of the carriage.
Before they took another step, a separate carriage rolled up and a familiar dark haired woman stepped out wearing a fancy dress uniform and her sword at her side. Ebony’s dark hair was tied into a braid that went to the middle of her back. Saber grimaced as she walked up to them.
“Apologies for being late,” She stated. Saber pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh. “What?”
“What the hell are you wearing?” He huffed. Ebony looked down at herself.
“These are the nicest clothes I own.” She said in a stern tone. The white haired man rubbed his temples.
“We’ll talk about this later. For now, just act natural.” Saber walked on Twilight’s left side and Ebony on her right. The trio soon approached a man with well groomed light blue hair and mustache. He was wearing a dapper looking black suit and a monocle on his right eye. He smiled as he saw the Princess.
“Ah Ms. Sparkle I am positively delighted you decided to come.” He said as he bowed to her. Twilight curtsied and bowed her head slightly. He then looked to Ebony and Saber. “Are these the guests you mentioned in your letter?”
“Yes, may I present Ebony Northwind. The captain of my guard,” Ebony bowed to him. “and Argent Cavalier, my court advisor.” She gestured to Saber.
“Delighted to meet you.” Saber said as he bowed. Fancy gave an honest chuckle before turning to the Princess.
“Any friend of yours, is a friend of mine. It’s been ages and we’ll have to find a moment to talk, but for now I must greet my guests.” Twilight nodded and the three of them made their way up the massive steps to Fancy’s mansion. Saber leaned over and whispered to Twilight.
“Welcome to the viper’s nest.” He said as they entered the grand ball room. The large room was filled with people all dressed for the event. They prattled on about insignificant things that they considered problems.
“What should I do?” Twilight whispered.
“What all you nobles do, socialize and gossip.” He said as he started to walk away but was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder.
“Where are you going?” Ebony asked.
“To do what I was brought here to do, work the crowd.” He shrugged her hand off his shoulder as he descended the stairs and into the crowd. Twilight tried to follow, but by the time she got to the bottom, he was already lost in a sea of faces. Saber moved through the crowd like fish taking to water, while Ebony and Twilight stuck out like a pair of sore thumbs. He stayed on the fringes at first and listened in on various conversations.
After an hour of this he noticed Twilight standing off from the crowd and Ebony was leaning against the wall with a hardened expression on her face. He let out a sigh and made his way over to the dark haired captain. “Having fun?” He asked as she rolled her eyes.
“Hardly,” She huffed. “I hate feeling like I’m being watched all the time.” She said as she sipped her glass.
“Welcome to my world.” He said in a dry tone. Saber leaned against the wall beside her with a smirk on his face. Twilight noticed him and walked over to him.
“You look like you’re enjoying yourself.” Twilight commented in a flippant tone.
“Oh immensely, all those secrets hiding in plain sight for all the world to see.” He chuckled. “Marvelous, simply marvelous.”
“What secrets?” Saber looked around the room a moment and smirked.
“Far corner of the room, green dress, blonde hair done up high.” Ebony’s amber eyes scanned the room until she set her sights on the woman in question. She was strikingly beautiful with eyes of the deepest green and a face a doll would be jealous of. She was wearing a golden necklace with a teardrop emerald in the center along with matching earrings. “That is Rebecca Thorn."
"Her husband owns Thorn Transports, a very successful shipping business.” He explained. “Well, it use to be.” The two looked at him curiously.
“What do you mean?” Ebony inquired.
“Word around the court is that at least a couple dozen of his ships have gone missing over the last few years. Precious cargo lost and never recovered isn’t something anyone wants.”
“What kind of things were lost?” Saber shrugged at the Princess’s question.
“I don’t know. Things people don’t want to get lost; jewelry, money, art, possibly some sort of contraband.” He took a glass form one of the wandering waiters and sipped it. “The point is the company has fallen on hard times. Lord and Lady Thorn have even had to let some of their maids and manservants go just to keep themselves above debt.”
Saber gave her a knowing look, but they still seemed lost. He let out a long sigh and gestured back to the beautiful woman. “Look at her and tell me what you see.”
“I see an attractive young woman chatting with other nobles.” Ebony said blatantly.
“Try looking a little harder.” The two squinted but whatever he was referring to she couldn’t see it.
“I don’t know.” Ebony said in an annoyed tone. “She looks no different than every other rich noble here.” Saber set his glass down on the table and gave her a slow clap.
“Exactly,” Ebony and Twilight were even more confused than before now. “If her family is on such hard times then how did she get those jewels? How did she afford that dress or even get an invitation to this party? What has she done? Who did she bed? These are all important questions you must ask yourself.”
Ebony turned and looked at the woman again. It was true. Those jewels were probably one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry in the entire ballroom and that was saying something. She shifted her gaze back to Saber who had finished his drink. “You can tell so much about a person by the clothes they wear.”
“You’re starting to sound like Rarity.” Saber chuckled at the Princess’s comment and was about to offer quick rebuttal when Fancy walked up to them with a gorgeous woman on his arm. Her light pink hair was well combed and parted to cover the right side of her face. Her slim fitting dress did an excellent job of brining out her hourglass figure. Had Saber not had the proper training he’d be gawking at her like a dog staring at a steak.
“I trust you’re enjoying the party?” Fancy asked.
“Certainly.” Saber smiled as the woman stepped forwards.
“This is my wife, Fleur de Lis.” The beauty curtsied for them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She said in an accented voice as she set her gloved hand out. Saber gently took it in his and kissed the top of it.
“The pleasure is mine.” He said as Fleur couldn’t help but blush a little.
I still got it. He thought as he gently let go of her hand.
“How has the royal life been treating you Ms. Sparkle?” Fancy asked as he took out a handkerchief and polished his monocle. Twilight hid her nervousness well behind a smile.
“A little nerve racking, but nothing I can’t handle.” Fancy nodded.
“Yes, that I can relate to. If you need any assistance Fleur or I would be more than happy to assist you on anything you might have trouble with.” Twilight was about to take him up on that offer, but felt a certain pair of teal eyes on her.
“Thank you for the offer.” She smiled as Fancy turned to his left and smiled.
“Ah, at last the band has arrived.” Several people holding different instruments made their way to the far side of the room and started setting up their chairs and stands for their sheet music in front of them. He turned back to his guests and smiled. “Apologies, but I must speak with the conductor about tonight’s selection.” Fancy and Fleur bid their farewell before they walked over to the conductor and started talking with him.
A thought came to Twilight’s mind, although she felt guilty about what she was about to ask.
“What information do you have on Fancy Pants?” Saber looked at her in surprise.
“Nothing incriminating,” He shifted his stance and folded his arms. “He owns several restaurants, hotels and is a very accomplished businessman. Been married to Fleur De Lis for almost five years and no mistresses to anyone's knowledge.” He shrugged. “Goes on like that. Point is he’s clean and is legit to a T.”
He leaned his back against the wall. “Keep your eyes on him. He might seem harmless, but stay on your toes.” Ebony looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“You’re paranoid.” She snorted. “No one here is as villainous as you’re describing.”
“Oh really?” Saber pointed his chin to a dapper looking man. “He goes to the local brothel two times a month while his wife is having an affair with their carriage driver.” He smirked. He then looked to a woman with dark brown curls. “She is in a secret relationship with an innkeeper and her parents are far from pleased. They plan to send her off to Trottingham in an attempt to separate them.”
“He’s a drug addict. She’s bedded half the court.” He pointed out two more people. “Need I go on?” He huffed as he looked at the two women. “You can never be too careful while in the vipers nest.” Twilight shook her head and went back into the crowd. Music soon filled the room and the quiet conversations halted and gave way to dancing.
He smiled and took a step forwards but was stopped by Ebony’s hand on his shoulder.
“Where are you going?”
“What do you think? I’m going to dance.”
“No, you’re not. You’re here to work, not have fun.” He scowled at her. “The whole reason you’re here is to protect Princess Sparkle. I’m not going to have you publicly embarrass her.”
“You just love to rain on my parade don’t you?” He looked out towards the crowd and his eyes shrank. His blood seemed to freeze and any words he might have said died in his throat. “I don’t think Twilight need my help embarrassing herself.” He said as he pointed to the crowd.
Ebony followed his finger and Ebony visibly cringed at what she saw. In the middle of the dance floor, Twilight was doing something. She was definitely moving but with next to no precision nor grace. Had she not been talking with him a few moments ago, Saber’s first guess was that she’d gone fever mad and would strap her to a bed so she wouldn’t hurt herself, or anyone else. The two had been so distracted by the display that they hadn’t noticed the butler holding a tray with two glasses on it.
“The host of the house sent over these drinks.” Saber shook his head and looked at the man. He was wearing the dark red uniform the other servants were dressed up in, but something was a miss. Not wanting to make a scene Saber took one of the glasses and Ebony followed suit. “It’s a fine vintage from Griffonia.”
“Thank you.” Ebony said as the gentleman gave them a bow and went off to his duties. Saber whiffed the wine. The drink smelled bitter but under that there was the scent of honey. His eyes shrank and he saw Ebony lifting the glass to her lips.
His hand lashed out and he smacked the glass from her hands. The sound of breaking glass was covered by the sound of the music and clicking shoes against the dance floor. “What is your problem?” Her forming frown halted as she saw the seriousness in his eyes. He slowly shook his head.
“We need to leave.” Every survival sense Saber had were telling him to get out and get far away from the party. He dumped the wine in a nearby plant and put the glass in his pocket.
“Why?”
“Because someone just tried to poison us.” He said in a serious tone. “Go get the carriage, I’ll get Sparkle.” Before she could protest saber weaved his way through the dancing couples until he got to where the flailing Princess was. He quietly made his way up behind her and gripped her arm. “We’re leaving.” She didn't even have time to protest as he pulled her off the dance floor.
Twilight felt him take her by the arm and escort her through the party quickly and quietly. They almost made it to the main hall when they were stopped by Fleur.
“Is everything all right?” She asked.
“Yes, everything is just fine my lady.” Saber said with a smile. “It’s just that the Princess here has had a bit too much to drink and she has many royal duties tomorrow. So we best be off.” Twilight glared at him as Fleur nodded. He quickly walked past her and made it down the steps where Ebony was waiting with the carriage.
He practically shoved Twilight inside the carriage and he knocked on the ceiling to get the driver’s attention. “Canterlot Castle,” The driver nodded and whipped the reigns before the horses pulled away.
The next day Saber was summoned to the hall where Celestia, Luna, Twilight and the three guards were waiting. He was dressed more casually than what he wore to the party during the previous night. He made sure he was fifteen minutes late to let them stew in their frustration a bit. When he walked through the doors he felt all eyes on him.
“I do not like to be kept waiting.” Celestia stated in a firm tone.
“I do not like being summoned as though I were a dog on a leash.” He snapped at them. “Now to what do I owe the pleasure of your graces’ company?” His tone was laced with enough venom to put down twenty men.
“Captain Northwind told us about your outburst last night.” Saber shot the woman a dark look.
“Of course she did.” He huffed. “I just did what you brought me here to do. My instincts were telling me something was wrong, so I got Sparkle out of there.” Artemis rolled his eyes and scoffed. “I wouldn’t be alive if I ignored my instinct and I don’t like to be criticized by someone who sits behind a desk every hour of the day.”
Artemis clicked his tongue against his teeth at the insult.
“If I were you, I’d keep that tongue and those insane instincts of yours in check.” Solaris stated.
“And if I were you, I wouldn’t antagonize someone who kills for a living.” Before the argument could continue and probably escalate, a messenger burst into the room out of breath and panic present in his eyes.
“This is a private conversation.” Luna stated in a harsh tone.
“A thousand pardons your grace, but it’s urgent!” He said as he approached the table. Celestia sighed and gestured for the messenger to continue. “Lady Thorn was found murdered at Fancy Pants’ mansion.” A mixture of emotions washed over their faces, surprise more than any other. Saber grinned and turned on his heel to leave.
“Well, I see you all have important business to get to, so my insane instincts and I will leave you in peace.”
Police covered nearly every of Fancy and Fleur’s manor. The dapper owner sat in the kitchen of his mansion. Blood staining his dark blue robe. Fleur sat beside him and held his shaking hand in her own as she gently rubbed his back. A man with short silver hair knocked on the door frame.
“Sir?” Fancy looked up at the man like he was in a daze. “Two representatives from the castle are here.”
“See them in Silver.” The manservant nodded and left the room for a moment and returned with a familiar woman with raven black hair and golden colored eyes. To her right was a man on the opposite end of the spectrum with hair like ash. He had met them last night. “Captain.” He said with a gulp.
“Sir,” Ebony nodded. “we’re here to take over the investigation and get to the bottom of this.” The lord was still digesting what happened.
“I hear one of your maids was found with the knife used to kill Lady Thorn and was covered in her blood.” Saber said. Fancy glared at him.
“Daisy wouldn’t do that!” He yelled. Fleur put a hand on his shoulder. Saber held up a hand to calm him. “My apologies, it’s been a very frightening morning for all of us.” He shook his head. “To think there was a killer in my own home.” Ebony took a seat across from Fancy.
“I know it is difficult, but we need you to tell us what happened. Step by step.” Fancy let in a deep breath and exhaled.
“I heard screaming and I got out of bed. When I went to investigate with a few other servants I saw Daisy shaking and covered in blood.” He swallowed. “Then I saw Lady Thorn on the bed, oh gods. Silver called for the constable and sent a runner to the palace.” Saber nodded as Fancy looked at him. “Forgive me, but I thought you were an advisor to Princess Sparkle?”
“Part time.” Saber stated in a blunt tone. “What can you tell us about the accused?”
“Daisy has been a loyal maid and friend for the past three years.” He stated firmly. No hint of a lie was present on his face. “She may break the occasional dish or vase, but she’s always been a bit jumpy and shy.”
“The poor dear was a mess when we found her.” Fleur added.
“Found?” Ebony asked with raised eyebrows.
“Four years ago while Fleur and I were visiting Manehattan, we came across Daisy being fired from an inn. The innkeeper was a brutish man and outright ridiculed her in front of the staff and patrons.” Fancy said as a wave of anger washed over his face. “I couldn’t stand to see a girl that age on the street with nothing, so I gave her the option to come work for me in my mansion and the rest is history.” He said as he sat back.
“Any information you know prior to this? Her parents, where she grew up, anything?” Ebony asked.
“The poor girl has no one.” Fleur explained. “Her parents died two years before we hired her and had been living on the street ever since.” Saber nodded in understanding.
“I’d like to see the room.” Fancy nodded and gestured for the manservant to show them the room. Saber and Ebony followed him up the stairs into the large hallway. The maid stopped a few paces from a door where a few constables were crowding around. Many of them looked sick to their stomach.
“Has anyone been inside?” Ebony questioned.
“No one except the constables who took Daisy away.” Silver stated as Saber reached for the door. Saber looked to Ebony.
“You may want to wait out here. I have no idea how bad this will be.” Ebony snorted at the remark.
“I can handle it. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a corpse.” Her tone had a sharp edge to it. Saber shrugged and open the door. The room was quite lavish with a king sized bed that had dark green sheets that were stained with blood. The woman on the bed was just as beautiful when Saber had seen her the night before.
He looked around the room and put a hand on her skin that was cold to the touch.
“I’d say she’s been dead for at least three hours, no more than five.” He inspected the cut in her neck that also had a large, odd bruise on it. The cut was deep and was probably the cause of her death by blood loss. Saber ran his hand along the cut line while his other hand trailed down her front to see several stab woulds on her stomach. “These cuts were made post mortem, why?”
He got off the bed and looked around the room. There was a smashed mirror that had blood on some of the broken fragments. The same with a vase that was in the corner of the room near a window that was opened. Saber walked over and looked out to see a roof no more than a hop, skip and a jump away. Anyone could have made that jump.
Saber stepped in the middle of the room and started taking everything in. He approached the bed and looked at the massive blood stain on the bed. He looked at the floor and saw the rug pulled from the hardwood floor. Saber slid it aside and saw scratch marks leading to the closet. He opened it and saw a bit more blood on the floor.
“This is where the maid was found with the knife in hand.” Saber walked back to the middle of the room and closed his eyes. He took in everything in the room. The blood, the torn curtains, everything.
“Stand back.” Ebony raised an eyebrow but stood by the dresser as he walked to the door and turned. When he opened his eyes he saw the still living beautiful blonde woman clad in green in front of him. “I see my target. I have watched her and studied her. I know not what she’s done, nor do I care. All I know is that she must die.” He pulled out a knife and his hand covered her mouth with his other.
She tried to get away from the killer, by jumping back, but her back crashed into the mirror. Thorn tried to scream as the broken shards cut into her back and head. She frantically reached for one of the broken shards at her side and stabbed the assailant’s hand that held the blade. “She struggles and forces me to loosen my grip on the knife, but my hold on her neck is like iron.”
Thorn continued to struggle in his grip and bit down on the assailant’s hand hard. His grip loosened enough for her to let out a single scream before she felt cold metal against her neck followed by something warm and wet running down her shoulder. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing escaped her lips.
“Something went wrong right here.” Saber said as he looked to his side and saw a maid standing in the doorway. “An interloper, an intruder on my hunt.” He released his grip on the woman and reached for the maid. He caught her by the neck and threw her to the floor. She scrambled to get away, but felt a firm hand on her ankle drag her back inside and throw her across the room. The maid’s head hit the wall and she was knocked unconscious.
The attacker turned to see the half dead woman charging at him clumsily with a shard of broken glass. His hand latched around her throat and lifted her off the ground before throwing her onto the bed and buried his knife in her chest. She squirmed for a few seconds before her body went limp and the light left her eyes. He took the knife and stabbed her five times in the stomach before throwing the maid inside the closet and putting the blood covered knife in her hands. He also spilled some of the woman’s blood on her uniform before exiting through the window.
Saber looked back at Ebony who was wide eyed. “That’s my assumption of what happened.” He said as he looked back at the woman’s body.
“But why the gut stabbing?” Ebony asked.
“Probably revenge for injuring him?” He said as he closely examined the body. “No, these were deliberate.” Saber reached into his pocket and pulled out a sharp blade. He started to delicately cut the dress down the middle along with the corset. He put a hand on the woman’s lean stomach and focused.
His eyes shot open in surprise and removed his hand. “Where’s the suspect?”
“She’s being held by the constables downstairs.” He got off the bed and closed the woman’s eyes before putting a sheet over her body before he muttered something under his breath. She couldn’t make it out but she swore it sounded like praying. Saber looked at the body once more and sighed before exiting the room.
“We have a maid to question.”
~~~
One hour earlier
Saber turned on his heel to exit the grand hall where the royal family and their guards sat.
“Stop,” Luna commanded. “you’re not going anywhere.” The blue Princess stated in a firm tone. She turned to the messenger. “Explain.”
“Lady Thorn was killed with a knife and we have the suspect in custody.” He cleared his throat. “One of Fancy Pants’ maids was found at the scene with the murder weapon.”
“It sounds like everything is taken care of then.” Solaris stated and dismissed the messenger. Saber let out a boisterous laugh at the words. All heads turned towards the man.
“You’re joking right? That is the oldest trick in the book. Knock someone out and plant the murder weapon.” He said in a casual tone. “Do you all honestly think a maid with a butter knife would have the spine or skill to kill Lady Thorn?”
“Do you have a better theory?” Twilight asked. Saber walked up and took a seat at the table.
“That party hardly had any security. It’d be too easy for someone to slip in and out of there without anyone noticing.” He said as he folded his hands. “I’d heard that Lady Thorn had gotten caught up in some trouble, considering her family’s business is floundering.”
“You’re suggesting an assassin killed her?” Sabe shrugged at Ebony’s question.
“How should I know? I’m just stating the obvious.” He pulled out the glass he took from the party the night before. “I did some digging and this glass was laced with nightshade, a very powerful drug that can kill if the dosage is high enough.” Ebony gulped and realized how close she was to drinking it.
“This was not the case, it would make too big a scene if the two of us suddenly dropped dead, but if we got sick then someone would have just chocked it up to being drunk. I did’t know why, so I assumed whoever poisoned the drink was after Twilight. Clearly that was not the case.”
“So who did it?” Saber looked at Twilight blankly.
“How should I know? I’m not psychic.” He said with a roll of his eyes.
“But you could find out who did?” Ebony asked. Saber shrugged.
“That depends.” He said as he sat back in his chair. “What’s in it for me?” Ebony’s expression darkened. “My job is to keep Sparkle safe, I did that. What you’re asking for falls outside of the agreement.”
“A woman is dead.” Twilight stated.
“People die everyday, should I mourn for them too?” He said in a flippant tone. “It’s nothing personal, just good business.”
“Fine, if that’s the way you want it. Let’s bargain,” Celestia said in an irate tone. “what do you want? Money?” Saber stroked his chin as he thought.
“Money is good but I’ll also take a favor from the good captain here.” He gestured to Ebony who stared at him.
“A favor?” She asked.
“Yes, a favor. Meaning I do this for you now and you do something for me in return down the line.” His tone had a fine air of smugness to it.
“I know what a favor is.” She said in an annoyed tone. “What kind of favor do you want?”
“I don’t know, just something I want or need some time in the future.” He shrugged. “Do we have a deal?” Ebony bit her lip and let out a deep sigh.
“Very well, but I have the right to know what the favor is and refuse it if it’s too ludicrous.” She said as she pointed a finger at him.
“Fair enough,” Saber got to his feet and stretched. “lets get to the manor before the trail gets cold. Stay here Twilight, for all we know who ever killed Thorn could still be there.” Twilight nodded as he turned to Ebony. “Captain, you will accompany me to the crime scene. I’ll need you to deal with the constables and keep order while I work.”
She nodded and stood up before she followed the man out of the shining white castle and back into the city.
~~~
Saber and Ebony found themselves in Fancy Pant’s study where several constables were talking amongst themselves. Nearby was a maid not even in her twenties with short blonde hair shaking in her chair as she felt eyes on her. Ebony ordered the constables leave them and they obeyed. Saber approached the woman as reached inside his coat and pulled out a handkerchief. He offered it to her. She had some blood on her cheek and he gently wiped it away.
“Daisy?” Ebony said as she stood in front of her. “We’d like to ask you some questions.” The maid slowly raised her head, her eyes vacant and devoid of any focus. Saber snapped his fingers in front of the maid’s face to catch her attention, but no response came.
“She’s still in shock.” Saber stated as he looked at her closely. Something seemed familiar about the woman, but he couldn’t place it. He looked at her uniform and saw that bits of her clothing were dyed red but not from blood. It was different than the standard black and white uniforms the other maids and butlers wore.
Suddenly it clicked. “You’re from Mistral aren't you?” As the words left his lips the woman’s pupils shrank to the size of pin tips and a shiver ran through her body. Ebony had heard of the Western continent, yet never been there. She heard it was a dead land that nothing ever grows in, or where anyone ever goes, no one sensible anyway. “It’s all right. We’re not here about that, I believe your innocent Daisy.”
He gently put her hand in his. She slowly locked eyes with the white haired man. “We need you to tell us what happened last night.” Her throat bobbed up and down and she let out a breath.
“I was going about my duties last night.” She began. “Then I heard a commotion coming from one of the rooms, when I opened the door I saw Lady Thorn being strangled.” She wrapped her arms around herself and started to shake. “Before I could even call for help he was on me. His hand around my throat.” She gently touched the bruising on her neck and her eyes filled with tears.
“The last thing I remember is him grabbing my ankle and throwing me against the wall. Then I woke up this morning in the closet.” She had started to sob and shiver. Saber put a gentle hand on her shoulder and rubbed her back comfortingly.
“Do you remember what he looked like?” Ebony asked.
“He was wearing dark clothes and a hood with a mask.” She said as she dropped her head in shame.
“You were a great help.” He said sincerely. “May I see your ankle and neck?” She nodded and pulled off her shoe and sock to show the same odd bruise that was present on her and Lady Thorn’s neck. Saber stood up and stared in no particular direction before turning to Ebony. “Has Lord Thorn received word about his wife?”
“I’m not sure.”
“That’s where we’re headed next. Get the carriage around, I’ll be out in a minute.” Ebony raised an eyebrow in suspicion, but left the two alone as she went to fetch the driver. After she left Saber turned to Daisy who looked up at him.
“Why do you believe me when everyone else didn’t?” She asked with a quivering lip.
“Not true, Fancy and Fleur never once doubted your innocence.” He said with a smile. “Did your parents die on the voyage over from Mistral?” Daisy’s shoulders slumped and nodded. “I see, I’m sorry.”
“Why should you be?” She said as she lowered her head more.
“Because I care.” He meant it.
“But why? You don’t know me.” She said with tears running down her face.
“I know what it’s like to lose someone.” He left the maid and rejoined Ebony who had a carriage waiting. The two got inside before telling the driver where to go. The carriage took off and Saber leaned his head against the back of the seat with a sigh.
“How did you know she was a foreigner?” Saber turned his head and looked at Ebony.
“When you’ve traveled as much as I have you tend to pick up on these things.” She doubted that was the truth but didn’t believe him. Rather than getting into another argument, she decided to change the subject.
“Do you have any idea on who killed her?”
“I have an idea who the culprit is, but I can’t say for sure. Rumor has it that Lady Thorn had several gentlemen callers and spent a lot of time with them. I can’t imagine her husband was happy about that.” Ebony looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“You suspect Lord Thorn?”
“A powerful and egotistical businessman like him with a wife that? It’s a tale as old as time. He gets angry about the fact his wife is fooling around and hires someone to teach her a lesson.” Ebony glared at him.
“And I’m sure you know all about things like this.” She said with a scoff. Saber met her gaze.
“No, I’ve never done a job like that, but assassins I knew said that it was quite common.” The rest of the ride was silent until they pulled up to another lavish mansion scattered around Canterlot. It wasn’t as impressive as Fancy’s but it was still spectacular. The two got out of the carriage and were greeted by a butler with thick brown hair and goatee.
“Greetings sir and madam,” He said in a posh tone. “my name is Stapes, the head butler. How can I help you?” Ebony stepped forwards.
“I am Captain Northwind of the Royal Guard and this is my assistant.” Saber scoffed at the word. “We must speak with Lord Thorn at once on a matter most urgent.” Something lit up in the butler’s eyes and he understood.
“Does this concern Lady Thorn?” They nodded. The butler sighed heavily and showed them inside. “A constable came by the house this morning with the news, simply dreadful.”
“Were you two close?” Saber asked.
“I have served Tiberius Thorn for many, many years along with his wife. She could light up the room simply by being in it.” He lamented. “She was always so kind even when the Lord was in the foulest of moods.” He said as they climbed the staircase.
“Where is Lord Thorn?”
“After the runner came he secluded himself in his study.” The butler led them through the halls until they stopped in front of a pair of brass double doors. The butler knocked on it three times before opening the door. The study had a large desk on the far wall while the other three walls were lined with bookshelves and paintings. Sitting in the large leather chair behind the desk was a man in his late forties with silver streaked brown hair.
Despite the news he heard that morning, he looked well. He was clean shaven and his clothes were void of any wrinkles. His brown eyes glanced up form his papers and he frowned.
“I asked not to be disturbed Stapes.” He said in a firm tone.
“A thousand pardons sir, but you have guests that have news about your wife.” The man set down what he was doing and bid the newcomers to come in before he sent Stapes away. Ebony approached him first and shook his hand.
“Captain Ebony Northwind M’lord. My condolences.” He waved the words away as he went to sit back in his chair. Saber looked at a large painting of the Lord and lady that hung on the wall.
“Was this done by sir Inkwell?” Saber asked. The lord turned his attention to Saber as if noticing him for the first time.
“Yes, I had him commission it for my anniversary.” He said as he poured himself a glass of auburn liquor. Ebony couldn’t blame the man for drinking this early in the morning considering the news he’d received. “Now, what has been done with the maid who murdered my wife?”
“It wasn’t the maid m’lord.” Saber stated as he turned to face the man. Tiberius raised an eyebrow. “The real killer tried to frame the poor girl.”
“You’re absolutely sure about that?” Saber approached the desk and nodded.
“Yes, the maid clearly didn’t have the strength to kill your wife.” Lord Thorn frowned intensely at the white haired man’s smug grin.
“Any other proof?”
“Yes, I noticed an odd bruise on your wife’s neck and the maid’s ankle from where the real killer had grabbed them.” He said as he sat back in his chair.
“What odd bruise?” Saber turned to look at the captain.
“Come now captain, you were there, you saw the body.” Ebony only frowned at him. “Very well, I’ll explain. The bruising was too large for the maid’s dainty hands along with something else.” They both looked at him curiously. “Whoever killed your wife has six fingers on their right hand.”
“They what?”
“They have an extra thumb thats what the bruising on their skin tells me anyway.” He shrugged. “So it’s physically impossible for the maid to be the culprit.”
“Then shouldn’t you be out finding who did?”
“Before that I’d like to ask you some questions.” Saber said before sitting down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. Ebony was glaring at him with an intensity to melt steel. The dark haired man scoffed.
“I already told the constables everything I know. I was here last night finalizing a shipping deal with the East Mill Trading company. There are over half a dozen witnesses to corroborate my whereabouts including my staff members.” Saber smirked.
“Oh no, not those kind of questions. I meant ones pertaining to your wife.” The man’s eyes shrank a little and he couldn’t help but start feeling hot under the collar. “Tell me had Lady Thorn been acting strange leading up to the events of the party?”
“Strange?”
“Eating habits off, was she nervous, acting out of the ordinary at all?” Tiberius thought for a moment, but nothing particular came to mind.
“Nothing to note, why?” Another chill went down the man’s spine as he locked eyes with the white haired man. He didn’t know why but he felt like he was locking eyes with the devil himself.
“Are you all right Lord Thorn?” Ebony interjected. “Should I send for your butler?”
“No, that won’t be necessary captain.” He said as he gulped.
“Just wondering if there was anything off about her health.”
“Now why should that matter? She was stabbed in the neck wasn’t she?” Saber raised an eyebrow.
“How did you know that your wife was stabbed in the neck?” Ebony asked. The man’s face went paler and looked down at his desk as if he didn’t mean to say that. “No details were revealed to anyone about how Lady Thorn died.” He looked away from the captain but was met with Saber’s gaze.
“Easy now Captain, we’re not accusing the man.” Ebony looked at him in surprise and he shot her a discrete wink. “After all he lost the two most precious things in the world today.” He turned to the man in the chair. “My deepest apologies m’lord, Captain Ebony can be blunt at times.” The captain was close to frothing at the mouth.
“What did you mean by the two most precious things?” Saber’s expression shifted to one of shock and embarrassment. Saber rubbed his forehead and put on quite the show of looking embarrassed.
“It appears I must now apologize m’lord, I thought you knew which is why I was inquiring about the late lady’s health.” Tiberius was getting annoyed and narrowed his eyes on the man. “Upon further investigation of your wife’s body, we discovered that your wife was with child.”
The room went silent for several minutes on end. Ebony looked dumbstruck while the lord’s expression was neutral. “She wasn’t far along, if I had to guess she was no more than three weeks pregnant.” The lord’s face went pale as paper and he felt a massive knot form in his stomach. “Again, my deepest apologies.” He said as he bowed his head.
Ebony was about to speak up but the sound of a metal tray clattering against the wooden floor cut her off. All their heads turned towards the doorway to see stapes shaking. A tray with three broken tea cups were on the floor n front of him. His expression was like that of someone who’d just witnessed a massacre.
“Stapes,” Tiberius said in a serious tone. “I told you to leave us alone.” The butler looked at the white haired man with shocked brown eyes.
“Is what you say really true?” Saber nodded to the butler. The gentleman clenched a fist and stared at the man with anger filled eyes. “He’s lying captain.” Ebony looked at the butler and then to Saber.
She hadn’t personally inspected the woman’s body and she didn’t know if what he said was true. “Lord Thorn wasn’t meeting with a group of businessmen, it was just one man clothed in black.” She turned her attention towards Lord Thorn who had a bead of sweat on his brow.
“Stapes, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” The butler only glared at him.
“I will be the first to say that Lady Thorn was not the best woman in the world, but she was still your wife sir.” The last word had enough of an edge to cut steel. Tiberius waved a hand as if brushing off a piece of lint from his coat.
“I’ll find another one, maybe one that will actually remain loyal.” Ebony’s golden eyes sharpened and the air around the captain started to grow cold. She turned to her side and saw Saber’s gaze was one that could got to bat with the devil. Even Tiberius seemed aware of the bloodlust radiating from the assassin.
“So,” Saber said in a tone that could freeze over a lake of fire. “you admit to having something to do with her death?” The man simply shrugged.
“Who can say?” Tiberius blinked and swore that he thought the assassin’s eyes had turned a dark red, but all he saw was the icy turquoise. He looked around and saw that the room was growing darker. Eventually everything in the room, safe for saber and they were surrounded in shadow. “What is this?”
“You know, I hear there’s a special place in the afterlife for people who kill unborn children.” The shadows stared to twist and turn behind the white haired man until a figure could faintly be seen. The shadows formed a large monstrous creature with red horns protruding from it’s long blood stained white hair. It was wearing a long sleeved cloak that looked to be made from patches of human flesh, some were even whole faces that were screaming in agony.
“They say that the reaper of souls rips their soul from their body and eats it whole. They then spend an eternity swirling around in the reaper’s stomach for all eternity.” The reaper’s soulless eyes glared down at the dark haired man. The creature spread its lips into a wide grin that showed it’s razor sharp teeth that were the size of butcher knives. It’s long forked tongue spilled out of its mouth and drooled as it looked at him.
Tiberius felt his blood run cold and his heart was beating so fast he was worried it’d break out of his chest. His eyes were fixated on the creature’s vacant eye sockets. “Some say that it appears before those who’ve done terrible things in their lives to let them know what awaits them in the afterlife.” The creature let out a low malicious laugh accompanied by the faces stitched into it’s cloak. The man sprang from his chair in a panic.
“Stay back!” He yelled as the creature only continued to laugh as he covered his head with his hands and shook. “I didn’t know she was with child! Had I known I would have never hired that assassin!” He opened his eyes again to see the room with the captain, the butler and assassin looking a him.
“I think that qualifies as a confession if ever I heard one.” Saber said as he stood up and turned towards the butler. “Stapes, would you please fetch the constables?”
“It would be my pleasure.” The butler turned on his heel and marched out of the room. Tiberius looked around for any sign of the creature, but saw nothing. He narrowed his eyes on Saber.
“You! You tricked me!” He yelled as he pointed an accusatory finger at him.
“I have no idea what you’re referring to. I asked you if you had anything to do with your wife’s death and then you jumped out of your seat and admitted to hiring an assassin.” He flashed him a wolfish grin whit Ebony walked over and roughly gripped the lord's shoulder.
“Tiberius Thorn, you are under arrest for the murder of Rebecca Thorn.” The man struggled in her iron grip and started saying some very un-lordly things that were anatomically and physically impossible for the captain to do. The butler and captain explained things to the constables who promptly put the lord in irons and hauled him away in a carriage. Once he was pulled away Ebony and Saber got in a carriage bound for the castle to report back to the Princesses about the culprit.
Ebony mostly glared at Saber during the ride and the assassin did his best to ignore it. He tried to focus on the city streets that passed by. Eventually, the glaring started to irritated him and he met her gaze.
“What?”
“What did you do back there?” She asked. “I know you did something to make Lord Thorn react like that.” Saber simply shrugged.
“All I did was instill a little fear in him to make him talk.” Ebony frowned at him. “What? It worked didn’t it?" Shook her head and turned her attention to the passing streets and remained silent for the rest of the trip back to the castle.
Once they arrived they were met by one of the Princess' servants that lead them through the shinning marble floors of the palace. The servant led the two to a large room where Celestia sat behind a desk along with Luna. The two stopped working when the servant announced their arrival. Celestia dismissed the servant and waited for the door to close behind him. Once they were alone, ebony explained the entire situation to the Princesses.
“I see, excellent work captain.” Luna stated. Saber cleared his throat rather loudly.
“You did admirably as well.” Celestia added. Saber crossed his arms and reveled in the praise. “So where is the culprit?” Saber looked at Ebony and then back to the Princesses.
“Probably in a cell where he'll stay for a long time.”
“We are aware of Lord Thorn, what of the assassin who murdered Lady Thorn?” Saber looked at the Princesses and burst out laughing. “Is there something funny?”
“You’re kidding right?” He said as Twilight stepped into the room. “He’s probably fifty miles away by now or has gone underground. It’d be like trying to find a glass needle in a hayfield on a moonless night.”
“I paid you to find the killer.” Celestia stated.
“I did. He fully admitted that he hired someone to kill his wife. The captain and his butler were there.” He said as he looked at the dark haired woman.
“He confessed under duress because of what you did to him.” Ebony stated as Saber glared at her.
“What did you do?” Celestia asked.
“So I may have used a bit of magic on him to alter his visual perception.” He said in a nonchalant tone. “I got what I needed from him. It was either that or I start breaking fingers.” The calmness in his voice sent shivers down her spine.
“You can't just do that to someone.” Saber turned to look at the indigo haired woman as if she’d just appeared out of thin air.
“If it wasn’t for me then that innocent maid would be taking the heat for that prick.” He said with as he stretched. “Besides what’s better, finding the murder weapon or the murderer?”
“I’m not following.” Twilight said.
“Assassins are only tools to be used like a knife or sword.” His tone was hard and serious. “Tell me, do you punish the weapon or the murderer?”
“You have a very skewed way of thinking.” Luna stated in a blunt tone. Sabe instead chose to stare at the two women with a perplexed look on his face for several minutes until Luna spoke up. “What are you doing?”
“Just imagining how the view must look from that throne of glass you’ve got there.” A vein was pressing against the blue Princess’ forehead as red rose to her face. “I don’t have the patience to argue with individuals who are too blind to see that they’ve got more blood on their hands than I do. So I’ll just take my pay and leave unless you want this conversation to turn unpleasant?” Luna was practically foaming at the mouth when Celestia stood up and tossed him a small bag of coins.
Saber caught it in one hand and weighed it. He raised an eyebrow at the bag. “It feels a little light.”
“Second rate pay, for a second rate assassin.” Luna muttered, but Saber shot her a dark glare.
“You caught one of the culprits, therefore you get half of what we agreed on.” Saber let out a frustrated sigh, but let it go.
“I suppose I should be grateful I got anything at all.” He said as he pocketed the pouch and turned to leave. “Pleasure doing business wth you.” Saber saw himself out of the room paying no mind to the captain or Twilight. He closed the doors with a rather hard slam and wandered back to his room while whistling a tune.
Hours later at dusk, there was a series of hard knocks on his door. He rose from his bed and yawned as he walked over to the door and opened it. “Oh great, what do you want now?” He said as Twilight entered the room.
“Tell me do you enjoy pissing off me and the other Princesses?” She said as she put her hands on her hips and huffed.
“Only when the situation calls for it.” He said as he laid back down on his bed. “Am I in for another lecture Princess, because if that’s the case I’d rather have Ebby come in here and knock me out.” Twilight let out a sigh.
“I came by to tell you I think you had a point back there.” Saber sat up and looked at the Princess in surprise. “It’s more important to catch the mastermind than someone he hired.”
“Well give me a pair of wings and call me Celestia, that has to be the most sensible thing you’ve said to me since we met.” Twilight just looked at him with a blank expression on her face. “Thank you, it’s comforting to know not every Princess doesn’t see the big picture.” He said as he sat up and leaned against the wall.
“You mentioned the maid, the one that was going to be framed for the murder.” Saber nodded. “Why did you care about what happened to her?” He shrugged at the question.
“I just don’t like seeing pricks like Thorn getting away with things like that just because of their status and using an innocent girl like that as a patsy.” He said with disdain clearly present in his voice. “The girl already lost her parents coming to this country and now she’s being blamed for something she didn’t do?”
“I heard that she was from Mistral.” Saber gave her a neutral nod. “I don’t know much about the continent.”
“Few people do. I’ve never traveled there myself, but I’ve met people who have. From what I hear it’s not a nice place to be. The whole continent is trapped in an endless storm.” Twilight was surprised at this.
“An endless storm?” He nodded. “How is that even possible?”
“No idea, I’ve never traveled there remember? Just what I heard.” Saber noticed Twilight still held a question in her curious purple eyes. “Anything else?”
“I heard how you and Ebony quarreled, again.” Her expression shifted to one of annoyance. “You two have been at each other’s throats from day one.” She was tired of seeing the two quarrel in front of her and dreaded the day one of them would take an argument too far and things would get violent.
“What do you expect? I’m an assassin and she’s a guard captain. We’re liked fire and ice, we don’t mix well.” He huffed. “Besides, she’s been a thorn in my side since I took this job.”
“Maybe if you tried being nice and stopped goading her, she’d let you have a little more breathing room.” Saber rolled his eyes at the words. “If you two are going to work together then you two need to learn how to be civil with one another.” He groaned and saw the determination in her eyes. She wasn’t going to let this go.
“Fine. I will attempt to smooth things over with the Captain, but I promise nothing.” That brought a smile to the Princess’ face. The man then stood up and stretched.
“You’re going now?”
“No, I need to get a few things before we leave tomorrow morning.” Twilight didn’t bother asking what he was going to buy, and didn’t want to know. Once he left, Twilight returned to her own room.
~~~
The next day, Twilight and her other companions boarded the train bound for Ponyville as Celestia and Luna started their daily routine in the court, which meant a lot of boring meetings. The first was a disgruntled noble complaining about his neighbor. As they all took their seats a shriek escaped the blue Princess’s lips and she immediately stood back up while she rubbed her posterior.
“Luna, is everything all right?” Celestia asked as Artemis came to her side. The guard looked down at the throne and squinted. He picked up the cushion and there was a needle pointing straight up on the bare metal throne along with a folded piece of paper. Luna opened the letter and gritted her teeth.
This needle could have been poisoned, but not this time. I suggest you take great care where you sit that fat rump of yours Princess.
This time when Twilight stepped off the train there was an armed escort waiting for her and her companions. They were escorted back through the castle post haste. After Saber got his things in order he needed to head into the small town. He was on his way when he saw Spike heading towards the door.
“Going somewhere Spike?” The teenager turned to see the advisor.
“Hey Argent, Twilight told me that Rarity needed some help with something.” There was a light in the boys eyes as he said the woman’s name.
“I was heading there myself to talk to Rarity, mind showing me the way? I’m still not use to this town yet.” Spike raised an eyebrow as the two left the shining palace. The sun was shining brightly over the small hamlet of stone houses.
“So what did you need to talk to Rarity about?” Spike inquired.
“I told her I’d fill her in about our trip to Canterlot when I got back. You know how she likes to gossip.” He chuckled to himself. Spike nodded as they walked through the cobblestone street until they happened upon a posh looking establishment. Spike opened the door and called for the fashionista. Not two minutes later, Rarity descended the stairs with a smile on her face.
“Ah Spike, right on time.” She smiled as she saw the ashen haired man. “Argent, what a surprise.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” He said as Spike started to pack various things away.
“Oh of course not dear, I’m just finishing up an order for Sapphire Shores.” She said as she levitated some rolls a fabric to a corner. “Now tell me, how was Canterlot?”
“Before we get to that I was wondering if I could ask the two of you a question.” Rarity nodded. “Would you say you two are close to Twilight?”
“Oh of course, we’re the best of friends.” She smiled. “Spike has known her all his life as well.” The teenager nodded proudly.
“Okay so here’s my question,” The man took a seat and straightened his posture. “have either of you two seen Twilight dance?” The room suddenly became silent and still as an empty crypt. Spike had dropped the folds of fabric and Rarity had stopped her organizing. Both of them turned simultaneously towards the man with a look of horror strewn on their faces.
“Did you say Twilight danced?” Spike asked as he raised a clawed finger. Argent stroked his chin for a moment.
“To call what she did dancing would be like calling dying screams of pain music.” Rarity put a hand over her face and sprawled herself on a large sofa.
“Why did she start dancing?” Spike asked.
“Twilight, the captain and I were invited last minute to a party at Fancy Pants’ manor.” He began. “Everything was going fine until the band arrived and Twilight started doing,” He shivered. “whatever it was she was doing.”
“Did she do the things where sticks her thumbs out and wiggles her hips?” Spike imitated the motion and Saber cringed.
“You knew about this?” He asked.
“She did the same thing when we had her birthday party one year in Canterlot.” Rarity said in a dramatic fashion. “I thought she had improved since then.”
“She’s always been like that. You’d think with the infinite amount of books she has she’d read one about dancing.” Saber let out a laugh at the quip. “I never had the heart to tell her about how bad it actually was.”
“Did she make a fool out of herself?” Rarity asked sitting up right.
“Thankfully I stepped in and just said that she’d had too much to drink. A lie, but a plausible lie and one that would help her in eyes the court.” Saber pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned. “Still, that can’t happen again. I’m going to hold a meeting this afternoon and I need you two along with Twilight’s other close friends there.”
“Of course darling, I’ll be free in the late afternoon around fifth bell.” She said with a smile as she stood up and brushed herself off. “Is that all?”
“No there’s something else too.” He said in a more serious tone. “It has come to my attention that Captain Northwind does not possess any kind formal attire.” Rarity looked as if she’d been struck across the face. Her eyes grew to the size of pin tips.
“What?” Her voice was loud enough to crack glass. “What did she wear to Fancy’s party then?”
“Her military dress uniform.” It was too much for Rarity and she collapsed back onto the sofa. Spike was at her side in seconds. “Does that happen a lot?” He pointed a finger to the passed out fashionista.
“Oh yeah, sometimes three times a week.” Saber nodded and pulled out a slip of paper.
“When she comes to, tell her I need a few bits of clothing made.” He set the paper on her desk. “All my measurements and specifications are there.” Spike nodded and returned to caring for Rarity as Saber saw himself out of the posh establishment. As he made his way back to the castle he saw one of the Elements of Harmony, the element of honestly to be precise.
“Morning Applejack,” Saber said as he walked up to her apple cart. The farmer looked at him and forced a smile.
“Morning Argent, how was Canterlot?” Saber shrugged.
“The goods are over priced, the nobles are over promoted and it’s far too posh for my taste. The same it’s always been.” She gave a half chuckle at the joke. “I did need to speak to you on an important matter.”
“What a coincidence, I wanted to talk to you too.” Saber raised an eyebrow at the tone of her words.
“Ladies first,” The apple farmer walked up so their faces were inches from one another. Her deep green eyes bore into his teal.
“What’s your game?”
“My game? I’m proficient in several games and I’m learning Chess.” No smile formed on her face.
“I might not be some fancy Canterlot noble, but even I can smell bullshit a mile away and you’ve reeked of it since you got here.” Saber held the neutral expression as best he could, but he could feel her eyes boring down on him looking for any sign of weakness. “Now listen here, ah don’t give a flying feather who you are. If you try to take advantage of Twilight then I’ll,” She paused as she tried to think of what she could do. “I don’t know what I'll do, but it won’t be pleasant.”
Saber stood back with his arms crossed and looked the farmer over. Not a hint of a lie lay within her eyes or posture.
“Wow, what an honest threat.” He said almost sounding impressed. “Usually it’s ‘I’ll kill you’ or ‘I’ll break your legs’ or something dramatic along those lines.” Applejack looked at him in confusion. “It’s quite rare I encounter such harsh honesty, that’s why I like you.”
“No offense, but I don’t like you.” She narrowed her eyes on him. He laughed and put a hand on her shoulder.
“Yes, just like that.” He gripped her shoulder tightly and pulled her close to him so he was right next to her ear. “Listen to me AJ,” He said in a hushed, half mocking tone. “you don’t have to like me, in fact should the need arise it’ll make my job easier. I cannot tell you the nature of my work, but know that my highest priority is Princess Sparkle’s safety, that is the truth.”
His tone was calm, but chilling to the core. “My job is to keep her safe from threats both within and out of the court. That means I have to get my hands dirty once in a while, or mislead people from the truth for her safety.” The farmer looked at him and saw not a hint of a lie in his eyes. He let go of her shoulder and stepped back.
“Alright, I believe that much and I suppose it’s enough.” She said as she crossed her arms under her chest. “Now what did you want?”
“I need you to attend a meeting this afternoon with Twilight and the rest of your group of friends.” The cowgirl rubbed the back of her head.
“I don’t know if I can make it. It’s almost cider season. What’s the meeting about?”
“Twilight’s dancing skills, or rather lack there of.” The farmer had a blank expression on her face and sighed.
“I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, Rarity and Spike know as well, but please let the rest of your friends know.” She nodded as he went about his business and made his way back to the castle. He couldn’t help but take in the sights of the small hamlet. As much as he hated it, he was getting use to the small town and all the quirks of the towns people. He knew that once a week the local carpenter Caramel, Pierce the jeweler and Mac, Applejack’s brother met and played cards.
He knew that one of the flyers on the weather team was currently in a relationship with two women who are both sisters and neither them are aware of it. He was shaken from his thoughts when he saw a messenger caravan arguing with an orange winged guard.
“I keep telling you, no one ordered anything here.” The guard said in an irritated tone. The changeling merchant blew a pice of his green hair out of his face and pointed to the shipping manifest.
“And I keep telling you it says on the manifest that someone did.” He pointed to the order on the paper.
“Move your cart, before I make you move it drone.” The merchant snarled at the guard for the remark. Thankfully Saber came over to the two.
“What’s wrong Sergeant?” The two men turned to see the assistant.
“Just dealing with some pest control.” The merchant bared his sharpened canines at the guard. Flash was reaching for his sword but Saber put a hand on his chest to stop him. He gestured for the merchant to hand him the manifest and he started looking through the pages. “He’s got no business being here.”
“Actually he does.” Saber said as he pointed to a line to the merchant. The changeling nodded and headed to the back of his cart and came back out with a small wooden box with holes cut in the side.
“What is that?” Flash asked as he looked at the box. The merchant handed Saber a quill and papers for him to sign.
“All you need to know is that it’s for the captain.” Saber stated. “Trust me you don’t want to be the one to tell her why her order is late.” A wave of fear ripped through the guard and his spine stiffened. Saber finished the paperwork and handed it back to the merchant.
“Go inform the captain I need to speak with her, I’ll be in her quarters.” Flash grunted but obeyed after giving the merchant a dark look. The merchant crossed his arms and muttered a foul curse under his breath that made Saber chuckle. “You can say that again.” The merchant turned to look at the white haired man in surprise.
“He’s a special kind of stupid.” He said in the merchant’s language before he paid the man and gave him a tip before going inside the castle with the crate that seemed to move in his arms. “Oh the captain is gonna love this.”
~~~
The dark haired captain made her rounds through the castle making sure everything was running smoothly and efficiently. It wasn’t long until she came across Saber’s room with the door cracked open. She opened the door to see the simple room with several books stacked on the desk and the sword mounted on the wall next to his bed. Ebony couldn’t shake the feeling like something was watching her. She approached the sword in it’s sheath and looked at it inquisitively.
She had seen the bare blade before and it didn’t seem any different than any normal sword apart from the blade’s curved design. As she glared at it she couldn’t help but feel as though it was glaring back at her. She stretched her hand to touch the handle, but as her fingers got close to the handle she felt as if someone had slapped her hand away.
Ebony quickly withdrew her hand and rested it on her blade’s handle prepared to draw. She stared at the mounted sword for several minutes until she heard a knocking on the wooden door. She turned abruptly to see Flash saluting her.
“Sergeant,” She returned the salute. “what is it?”
“Just informing you that your package has arrived and Argent wishes to speak with you.” Ebony’s eyes sharpened at the mention of the assassin.
“What package?” Flash looked confused by her words.
“The one Argent said you ordered from Canterlot.” She bit her lip and cracked her neck in frustration.
“Where is he?” She asked as she marched out of the room.
“He said he’d be waiting for you in your quarters.” Oh she couldn’t wait to hear this. She dismissed him and quickly made her way through the castle on a war path to her office. Many of the guards ducked out of sight as they heard the familiar stomping of boots against the crystal floor. She approached her room and threw open the door to see the assassin sitting on her bed.
“You know, your room gets so much more natural light than mine does.” He said as he looked around the larger room. A desk and bookshelf were on the far side of the wall and she even had a hearth built into the wall. There was a large rug on the floor that really tied the room together as well.
“What are you doing in my room?” Her golden eyes filled with anger. Saber stood up and straightened his clothes.
“Calm down captain, I’m not here to fight.” He said putting both hand up in front of him as if he were calming a wild animal. “I’m actually here to make peace.” Ebony felt her jaw drop at the words and waited for the snark quip she was expecting, yet nothing came.
“You’re here to make peace?” She said as she folded her arms under her chest. “What brought about this change?”
“Because as annoying as it sounds, Sparkle is right.” He said as he leaned against the wall.“Neither of us like the situation we're in, but we’re both stuck here regardless and If we’re going to work together then we have to at least be civil towards one another in front of her and the populace. So I suggest we burry the hatchet before one of us decides to pick it up and kill the other with it.”
“Does this mean you’ll stop acting like an ass?” He frowned, but bit his tongue.
“I will try to cut back on the sarcastic remarks if you stop being so hostile towards me. I even bought you something to help smooth things over with the money I got from Celestia for the Thorn job.” He stepped aside to show the wooden crate from before. Ebony took note of the holes on the side and how it occasionally moved.
“What’s inside?” He simply shrugged and gestured for her to open it. Ebony focused her gaze on the box before lifting the hatch. As light filled the crate her eyes shrank and pulled out a small dog with jet black fur safe for it’s paws, chin, a patch on it’s chest and the tip of it’s tail were a pristine white. It’s bright blue eyes focused on the captain and it’s tail started to wag.
“A dog?” The way she said it made Saber regret buying the thing from that pound. “I love dogs!” He looked back at the captain again and could barely believe his eyes when he saw her laughing and gushing over the small canine like a child.
“I never pegged you as a dog enthusiast.” Ebony looked at him seriously.
“Dogs are the loyal servants of man! They are the embodiment of loyalty and follow their master’s command above all else!” And there it was. Only Ebony could turn a pleasant and somewhat hilarious moment and militarize it. “What kind is he?”
“It’s a she and as for the breed, unknown.” Saber stated. “The seller said some hunters’s dog had a random encounter with some stray and that pup was the only one to make it through the winter. None of the Canterlot snobs wanted it since it wasn’t a purebred.” Ebony turned to him then back to the puppy and couldn’t think of any reason why anyone wouldn’t want her.
“How big will she get?” Saber held his arms out to their fullest extent and her eyes widened.
“The hunter said the mother’s breed was big so it’s only natural her pups would be too.” He stretched his arms over he head and made his way towards the door. “Now if you don’t mind I need to arrange the meeting for this afternoon.”
“Meeting? What meeting?”
“It pertains to what happened at Fancy’s party in Canterlot.” Ebony was about to speak up, but she held her tongue. “The rest of her friends will be there too. I need you there since you saw what happened.”
“I’ll be there.” He nodded and made his way towards the door. Ebony looked down at the dog and then back to the assassin. “Saber,” He turned and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. It had been the first time she’d called him by his name. “thank you and I’m sorry.” He smiled at the captain and made his way outside.
“Just promise me you won’t name the pup something stupid like midnight and we’ll call it even.” With that he made his way out of the room and back to his own to prepare for the intervention.
~~~
It was late in the afternoon as Twilight walked with Spike through the crystal halls. Spike had told her that she needed to see something strange in the meeting room. She highly doubted she overlooked anything in that room, but it gave her a chance to stretch her legs. The two wandered into the meeting hall to see Saber, the captain and the five other women sitting at the table. She was a bit surprised to see her friends gathered around the table.
“What’s going on?” The girls all looked to Saber who rubbed his face.
“Twilight before we begin, let me just say that everyone in this room cares about your well being for one reason or another.” He said as he walked up to her.
“So what’s going on here? I could be napping right now.” The rainbow haired flyer said in a flippant tone.
“This is an intervention.” He said as he put an arm on the Princess' shoulders.
“An intervention? What for?” Saber took in a deep breath and exhaled.
“Your two left feet, that’s what for.” A groan echoed through the room. Twilight turned towards her friends who had grimacing looks on their faces.
“What are you talking about?” Saber folded his hands and took in a deep breath.
“Twilight, as your advisor it's my job to be honest with you, so that's what I'm going to do." He paused for a little bit of dramatic effect. "Your dancing stinks.” He said in a flat tone. Twilight looked as though she’d been struck by the white haired man.
“I don’t stink.” She looked to her friends who avoided their eyes and the apple farmer started to whistle a tune trying to look as innocent as possible. “Girls, I don’t stink do I?”
“Have you ever seen yourself?” He asked as he folded his arms. Twilight looked to her friends and then to Spike who avoided her eyes. “Captain, you were there surely you must have seen her.” Ebony muttered a curse under her breath and bit her lip.
“I’ve definitely seen better.” She admitted. Twilight started to move like she did during the dance and Saber went to stop her, but was interrupted by the doors to the meeting room slamming open. Four familiar guards and three Changelings entered the room.
“Terribly sorry to intrude Captain but,” Nova stopped talking as she saw the Princess’ dancing. It took the guards an incredible amount of will power to not laugh while the Changelings just stood there as if they weren't sure why they were looking at.
“Are you alright Princess Sparkle?” Prince Ramil said as he, Petra and Malik looked at her in confusion. “Have you got a fever?” Twilight froze and her face went cherry red as she saw the Changeling Prince.
“No, I was just,” She swallowed. “dancing.” Ramil looked to his two guards who gave her a skeptic look.
“Princess I realize I’m a stranger in these lands but if you showed up doing,” He fished around in his mind for the correct word. “whatever that was, I’d tie you to a bed and give you a sedative until whatever demon possessing your body left.” Saber bit back a laugh.
“Told you it was bad.” Saber whispered to her. Twilight pursed her lips and frowned at him. The five friends’ attention shifted from Twilight’s convulsions and were now focused on the three Changelings. Dash was the first to speak up.
“What the hell is this?” She pointed at the three newcomers. Petra and Malik snarled at the flyer. Ramil stepped forward and bowed to the sitting women.
“I am Prince Ramil Alburtuqali of the Changeling Imperium,” He said as he raised his head once more. “and all of you must be the Elements of Harmony. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.” Dash leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms. Fluttershy panicked, stood and gave him a bow.
“I-It’s nice to meet you.” She said in a meek tone as the other girls followed suit.
“The Prince will be staying here in the castle for a while.” Ebony explained as she turned back to the three. “Although we weren’t expecting you here for another three days, your highness.”
“Apologies, but Princess Celestia thought it’d be best to send me here as soon as possible. Was no letter sent?”
“Oh, sorry.” Spike spoke up as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a scroll with the seal intact. “I got this early this morning, but forgot about it.” Twilight rolled her eyes and levitated the parchment over to her. She opened the piece of paper and saw that it did indeed mention the Prince’s arrival that day.
“My apologies, your highness.” Ebony said as Ramil raised a hand.
“It’s no trouble. Slip ups happen and I’m not one for formalities to begin with.” He smiled. Saber then stepped back over to Twilight.
“We will put this matter on hold for now and see to our guests’ needs.” Twilight agreed with him and dismissed everyone before she started to give the three changelings a tour of the castle. Ebony was about to join them but was pulled aside by Rarity.
“Can I help you Lady Rarity?” Ebony asked as she felt the fashionista’s piercing blue eyes on her.
“Yes, there is a matter most urgent I must address with you.” Ebony could sense the seriousness in her voice and could see the fire burning in those sapphire blue eyes of hers. “It has come to my attention that you have no formal clothing! We must remedy this at once!” Ebony felt her stomach drop and she slowly turned towards Saber who actively avoided eye contact.
He’s gonna pay for this! She thought as Rarity took her by the wrist and practically dragged her to her boutique. Saber couldn’t hide the grin as he heard the captain being dragged off.
“What’s so funny?” Twilight asked as she looked at his smile.
“Vengeance Princess. Sweet, sweet vengeance.” He chuckled to himself as they continued the tour.
It had been a few days since the Prince and his two guards arrived at the crystal palace and saber was grateful there was finally someone interesting to talk to. The two mostly talked of small things and were always accompanied by Petra, Malik or both. Had they known his true position the two would most likely try to kill him, so he kept the facade of Argent up at all times. Even with his skills he couldn’t be everywhere at once and while Ebony had significantly improved the guards’ skills they were still amateurs compared to him and the Prince’s guards.
He thought of a way to remedy this, but he needed the captain’s permission. The assassin thought on it as he approached the Ebony’s office. He knocked this time and Ebony allowed entrance. The dark haired captain sat behind a large wooden desk as the puppy woke up from its nap and ran up to Saber wagging its tail.
“Maya here,” She commanded, but the puppy ignored her and put it’s front paws on the man’s boot. Saber chuckled at the small canine.
“Maya?” He asked as he looked at the captain. “Why that name?”
“Her eyes.” She stated calmly. “They remind me of Lake Maya that is close to my home.” She clarified and Saber nodded in approval of the name. He then turned his attention back to the puppy.
“For once I’m not being chased by a guard dog.” He said as he closed the door behind him.
“She still has a long way to go.” Ebony said as she sat up straight. “Is there something you want?”
“No, but there’s something I need.” He said as he walked up to the desk. “Do you know how many blind spots there are in this castle?” Ebony shook her head. She’d been too busy to mark every weak point in the palace.
“Too many for me to cover and account for, that’s how many. This town might not be as large as Canterlot, but it’s still too big for one person to cover, even someone with my skills.” Ebony folded her hands on her desk.
“What are you suggesting?”
“I need a detachment of guards under my command to help me gather information and cover the positions I can’t. I may have a few tricks up my sleeve, but I can’t be in six places at once.” She was wary of him having his own private force.
“What would these individuals be doing?” She asked.
“Gathering information about anything that seems fishy or could potentially be a threat. Information that would be passed onto me then to you.”
“So a spy ring?” Saber shrugged.
“Call it what you will, but the fact remains that I can’t cover the entire town alone and there are several gaps in security that need to be filled.” Ebony sat back in her chair and thought over his proposal. What he said was true, there were several blind spots in the castle’s defenses and anything could happen in town, even one as nice as Ponyville. She had an idea as to how she could turn this to her advantage.
“I’ll allow it,” Saber waited for the shoe to drop. “on two conditions.”
“Here we go.” He muttered under his breath. “What are they?”
“You need to run this proposal by the Princess so in case it fails she won’t think it was my idea.”
What are you, a child afraid of getting scolded?
“Fine, what else do you want?”
“I want you to gather information on Prince Ramil.” Saber raised an eyebrow at this.
“The Prince, why? He mostly spends his time reading and training with his guards.”
“He’s not a Prince like Blueblood. He regularly sends coded messages to his contacts both in and out of equestria.”
“A Prince that actually does something productive? Now there’s a rarity. So, you think he’s planning an invasion?” He said with a chuckle. The captain frowned.
“It’s no joking matter. We don’t know what he could be planning when he takes the throne.” She said in a serious tone.
“So spying on him is the appropriate course of action?” He said in a flippant tone.
“You’re the one who said we can’t trust anyone.” She had him there and it was true that Ramil was considered a wild card. Not to mention something was bugging him about the three changelings.
“Fine, but I don’t know why you just get some of your guards to shadow him instead of coming to me.”
“Most of the guards here are still quite upset about the invasion.” He rolled his eyes. The invasion happened while he was still in Purgatory, but something that big would well reach the ass end of the world. The percentage of Changeling inmates there nearly tripled in the following months.
“Oh please, that was well over two years ago and there were barely any casualties.” He said in a flippant tone.
“Regardless, many of the guards don’t like the fact that there are three in the castle. No to mention you are friends with him.” Saber crossed his arms and turned away so the captain only saw his right side.
“We’re not friends. He’s just the only person here who can have an interesting conversation. Most of the guards are self entitled morons and the other half are boring beyond hell.” Ebony wondered which category she fell into, but pushed the thought out of her mind.
“How many guards do you need?” Saber turned so he was facing her fully once again.
“Ten men should do.” He didn’t really need that many and he doubt he’d get them, he just like to bargain every once in a while.
“Forget it.” She said firmly. “I’m not sacrificing ten good men. You can have two.”
“Two? What the hell am I supposed to do with two extra bodies?” He threw his hands up for added drama. “I need more than that captain. What about seven?” He planted the bait he’d just hoped she’d bite. The captain shook her head.
“I don’t think so. This castle hardly has a full company of guards and I need as many men to patrol the castle and the town.” Saber pretended to look irritated. In all honestly, the more men you have for his kind of work, the more difficult it is to keep their operations hidden.
“Four,” He said as he held up four fingers on his right hand. “just four troops that I personally get to pick, train and have under my and only my command.” Ebony leaned back in her chair and folded her hands as she calculated the numbers in her head.
“Fine, but only four and none of them can be officers.” She cemented her proclamation with a stern glare.
Check and mate. He thought as he kept his face neutral. He didn’t want officers, they were already loyal to the Princess and Equestria and were rigid in their misguided beliefs. Grunts were far more malleable and were easier to sway into his line of thinking.
“Remember, this only happens if you get the Princess’ permission.” She said as she picked up Maya and put the puppy on her lap.
“I’ll talk to Twilight about it.” He saw himself out and made his way through the halls in search of the Princess.
~~~
Twilight roamed the halls of her castle until she came across a somewhat familiar room that held a large piano. She approached the instrument and pressed a key. She never had a talent when it came to instruments, but she appreciated the music. There were several sheets of paper scattered about the immediate vicinity
“Ah there you are.” She turned her head to see the assassin entering the room. “What are you doing in here?”
“Just wandering around,” She said as she picked up one of the papers and started to read it. The paper had several music notes written on it in neat handwriting. These did not come from her books. Saber quickly snatched the papers from her hands.
“Do I go into your room and read your things?” He said as he folded the paper in half.
“I don’t know, do you?” Saber paused as he looked at the Princess. He had snuck into her and the captain’s rooms once or twice. He never found anything interesting apart from the Princess’ diary that was just filled with different notes on friendship. Nothing that interested him in the least and nothing he could use as blackmail.
“Regardless I need a favor. I made an arrangement with the captain, but I need your permission.” Saber then went into more detail about the squad of troops he requested. Twilight rolled the idea around in her head. She couldn’t deny that having more eyes and ears around the castle would help, but at the same time they would be under his command.
She pondered the bargain and was surprised that Ebony would go along with it. She did like that she and Saber were no longer at each other’s throats.
“I’ll agree to it, if you do something for me.” Saber bit back his tongue to stop a comment. She looked at the piano for a moment. “I want you to play something for me.” She gestured to the piano as Saber clicked his tongue against his grit teeth. “You’re in here almost everyday.”
“Spying on me are we?” He said in an irritated tone. “My music is not for your ears.” He said as he folded his arms.
“Why is that?”
“Because you couldn’t handle it.” His tone was firm and unmoving.
“That’s my price.” Saber growled as a thought worked his way into his mind and a wolfish grin spread across his face. His eyes flashed with a predatory glint.
“Fine, I’ll play something for you. But not now, I need to decide what I’m going to play and feel free to invite some people, the captain and the prince for example.” Something in the back of Twilight’s mind was telling her to cut her losses and run. She felt like a rabbit that had accidentally wandered into a fox den. Yet she knew almost nothing about the assassin’s past and she figured this would possibly open a doorway to that.
“I’ll think about it.” She said as she held her ground. “What time do you think you’ll be ready?” Saber scratched his chin.
“Later tonight perhaps we’ll have a little welcoming party for the Prince?” It was true that Pinkie had been so swamped with baking that she didn’t have time to prepare a proper party for the three newcomers.
“Splendid, just don’t invite the whole town. Even if you did I wager less than half would show up.” He said as he walked towards the door. “Now if that is all, I need to decide what I will play this evening.” Saber walked out of the room and made his way through the castle chuckling to himself.
As he neared the courtyard he heard a loud booming noise coming from outside. He turned his head and looked outside to see the three changelings. He raced outside before any guards could get out there and stop whatever it was they were doing. As he got closer he saw that Ramil was holding an odd object. It had a metal barrel on top with a wooden handle attached to it.
He pulled a trigger and there was a bright flash of light along with a puff of powder coming from the end of the barrel followed by another loud booming noise. “Damn,” The Prince said as he looked at the hay training dummy standing in front of a wall made of rock that had two black scorch marks on either side of the dummy. The Prince turned and smirked a he saw the white haired man approaching. “Ah, good afternoon Argent,”
“You as well your highness.” The two guards acknowledged him and didn’t reach for their blades. They didn’t let their guards down, but they had grown used to the man’s company. “Might I inquire what that is?” He pointed at the strange device in the Prince’s hands.
“Ah, it is of my own design.” He said as he held it up and the sun reflected off the metal. “I call it a hand-canon.” He aimed it at the target again and another blast shot out and burned into the wall beside the dummy. “Unfortunately, it’s not that accurate.”
Saber couldn’t help but marvel at the design. If there was one thing he could appreciate it was cleverness. “Want to try?” He shrugged and took it in his hand.
“A little heavy,” He said as he weighed it in his palm. Ramil told him how to load the devise and how to fire it. Saber raised it to eye level and lined up the metal sights on the straw man. He pulled the trigger and as the small metal ball exited the barrel Saber felt the recoil of the shot and his hand jerked back. “and it packs quite a punch.”
He huffed a he saw the scorch mark beside the straw man’s arm. “You weren’t kidding about the accuracy.” He said as he examined the object. “Not to mention it’s very loud.” He said as he gave the object back to the Prince.
“Yes well, that’s black powder for you.” Ramil stated.
“Is this hand cannon common in your country?” Ramil shook his head.
“No, first of it’s kind as far as I know.” Saber nodded and eyed the two guards to see that they didn’t have copies of the device on them.
“Tell you what, I’m a bit of a tinkerer myself. I could take a look at it if you desire?” Ramil looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve taken apart a few pocket watches and made some small modifications.” Ramil considered the offer and a smile spread across his lips as he spun the weapon in his hand so it’s handle was facing Saber.
“By all means, I have another.” Saber nodded and took it from the Prince already thinking about the design of the object.
“Also, there’s going to be a small dinner party for you all tonight in the castle.” Malik and Petra perked up at this. “Just Princess Sparkle, the captain, the other Elements of Harmony and myself will be attending for now.” He took in a breath before continuing. “Par the Princess’ request I will be providing the musical entertainment.” Ramil smiled slyly.
“An advisor, tinkerer and a musician? Where have you been all my life? You’re a man after my own heart Argent.” He laughed.
“Careful Prince, I might just steal it.” The two men shared a laugh. “Further more, I don’t think it’s a good idea to be seen with anything like this.” He gestured to the hand cannon. “There’s still a lot of tension between Changelings and the Equestrian guards.” Petra narrowed her eyes.
“You think we can’t handle them?” She inquired and Ramil shook his head as he sighed.
“I think it’ll only be a matter of time before one of them does something stupid and you put them in the infirmary. Then the captain will be on my ass about it.” He groaned as he thought of another tongue lashing from the dark haired woman. Saber bid the trio farewell as he turned back to the castle and went inside to go back to his room. As he walked through the hallways he heard the familiar sound of paws and nails against stone.
Ebony and the small puppy were making their way down the corridor as he rounded the corner. Seeing him the puppy left it’s owner’s side and ran up to him despite ebony calling for her to stay. “So how goes the training?” He chuckled.
“As good as it gets.” Ebony stated as she looked at the puppy wagging her tail. Her eyes then drifted to saber’s hand. “What is that?”
“A fascinating new toy,” He held it up in the light and looked at it. “On another note, the Princess agreed to my request.” Ebony nodded and crossed her arms.
“Provided you play for us tonight.” A sly smile spread across his face.
“Oh I will and trust me Ebby, it’ll be a performance unlike any other.” Her golden eyes focused on the man’s smile and a shiver snaked up her spine. “So I’d like the personnel files on all the soldiers here.” She huffed and lead him through the castle to her office and pulled out a dozen or so files.
“I want those back.” She said in a pointed tone.
“Pleasure doing business with you captain.” He said as he walked off with the papers in hand. As he left ebony stared at his back and tried to place why her body shivered in that manner. It was like a snake had slithered around her body and flicked it’s forked tongue at the back of her neck. She pushed the thought aside and went back to her duties.
Hours later, the sun had started to set and cast orange light against the clouds. Rarity, Applejack and the other elements of harmony had gathered at the crystal palace wearing some fine clothes. They were busy talking amongst one another as Twilight walked up to them with a smile on her face.
“I’m glad you all could come.” She smiled.
“Why do we have to be here?” Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes. Rarity shot a look at her friend.
“Rainbow it’s uncouth to refuse a request to a party. Especially if it’s a royal party.” She stated.
“They’re Changelings Rarity.” The rainbow haired flyer said. “They feed off emotions.”
“That’s actually a misconception,” The group whirled around to see Ramil wearing a fine emerald green tunic. Malik and Petra were dressed in similar styled clothes but in orange and purple. “we Changelings feed off the residual magic living creatures give off to restore our strength. The reaction from that is that the one we feed from is usually a little tired which is why the whole ‘love sucking’ rumor started.”
“Like vampires?” Twilight’s faced paled a she looked at Pinkie. The last thing she wanted was to make an enemy out of the Prince. Ramil gave a soft chuckle.
“No, I’d say it’s more akin to milking cows.” The women all raised an eyebrow. “You see, we Changelings cannot naturally replenish our magic so we must refill it from an outside source. If our mana levels get too low then we slip into a coma and die and if we ever get to critical levels then we will feed off of an individuals mana which usually leaves the source tired pending on how much we take.” He said as if he were teaching a class.
“How exactly do you,” Twilight swallowed. “feed?”
“We just have to make physical contact. Whether it’s a hand shake or any other kind of skin on skin contact.” Rainbow took a small step away from the trio. “Don’t worry that’s only in an extreme situation and I’ve yet to use any of my magic since I got here.” He was about to go more in depth but saw a familiar white haired man wearing a nice deep red outfit approaching them.
“I see everyone is enjoying themselves.” Saber said in his usual calm demeanor. He looked at the three changelings and nodded to them. “You clean up well Prince.”
“You as well.” He nodded at the advisor. Saber looked over to see that the captain was once again donning her dress uniform. While this wasn’t a formal dinner, he still grimaced and shook his head. The group all sat at the large round table and started to chat about small things. The girls mostly talked about the happenings in the small town.
Most of it was just idle gossip or how much the price of grain and other goods had gone up. Nothing that remotely interested the assassin. Saber kept feeling his eyes wander over to Petra who looked about as bored as he did. He couldn’t place his finger on it, but something was off about the guard. Even under her fine clothes, Saber could tell that she’d seen many fights that had turned her body into a lean weapon devoted to protecting her Prince.
Soon the eating and chatting died down and it was time to Saber make good on his deal. He approached the instrument that Twilight ordered down into the grand hall for tonight. He traced his hands over the ivory keys and played a few to make sure they were tuned correctly. By the time he finished, the guests had each taken a seat or in Ebony’s case, found a wall to lean against her arms folded under her chest.
Saber could feel all their eyes on him as he began. He started off with a few simple songs to warm up. The notes were relatively simple to follow and even easier to play. He continued this somewhat simple playing for a few minutes to lull them into a false sense of security. After he finished the last song he took a quick break.
He took a moment to look at this audience. Dash looked bored while Ebony, Malik and Petra looked unimpressed. The rest looked somewhat neutral on his performance, perfect. He had them right where he wanted them. He cracked each finger with his thumb and then his shoulders and back. Ebony, Twilight and the trio of Changelings raised an eyebrow as they saw his body posture had changed from calm to rigid, almost in a constant state of tension. Like a spring about to snap.
They say that when an artist paints they put a piece of their being into the canvass. The same could be said for musicians and their music. Saber believed it too. That’s why just this once he would let them all see what creeps in the dark below. He took in a deep breath and looked at the ceiling before closing his eyes.
Ebony could feel the tension around the man rising as she saw the muscles under his shirt ripple and could just pick up the sound of his joints cracking. He slowly raised both hands over his head and held them there for what felt like minutes on end. The room became so deathly quiet ebony could hear her own heart beating. Her eyes glanced to the side and saw that the others, including Rainbow were in a similar state. She opened her mouth to speak but the tension was so thick she felt like she was about to choke on it.
In a sudden flash Saber’s eyes snapped open and his fingers came down on the keys like a tidal wave against a shoreline. His fingers danced across ivory and black keys. The music pouring out was not the melodies they’d heard previously, no this was different. It started out as a somber tone that slowly rose and dipped as his fingers hit each key. Just as it slowed down a rolling thunder of notes slammed against their ears and rolled back down once again.
As soon as the song came to a halt he started playing again only giving the slightest of pauses for them to recover. This song held a weight that felt like it might snap everything in two if his concentration was broken. His hands danced across the keys as if they had a mind of their own and delivered a strike to each key. Twilight’s eyes wandered up from his hands to his face and saw that his eyes were glassed over. Saber was no longer in this room, he was off wherever the music he was making took him.
Hundreds of thoughts shot through the man’s mind as his fingers continued to dance. At first the image of a large stone building surrounded by a large grove of trees filled his mind. The stone steps leading up to a platform that six pillars stood and held up the roof. The archway between the inner post pillars made it seem like the building was outstretching it’s arms to welcome him home. Standing in between the pillars was a woman with long curling brown hair.
Her eyes were the deepest shade of brown and a smile that could shine through the darkest of shadows. Her face was somewhat plain looking with a few freckles on her cheeks and dimples on her face. As soon as he took a step towards it the building and the woman erupted in flame. The fire burned black and burned until not even ash remained. The woman was burned to a crisp and just as Saber reached out to touch her she crumbled away and was scattered to the wind.
The next thing he knew shards of glass pierced his back as he was thrown from a room through a large stain glass window. He looked over his shoulder to see the ground one hundred feet below him. He looked back up to see more glass raining down around him that mixed with the rain. His eyes focused on the shattered window and the eight shadowed figures watching him fall from above. One looked away while smiles grew on the rest. He felt the impact just as the second melody came to a jarring halt.
For a third time the piano was silent for only a moment before the keys played a deeper, darker tune. His mind drifted back to that pit he was in not three months ago. The memories of the chains and whips used against him. Suddenly the music shifted and became erratic yet each note was in sync with the ones that followed and came before. As if a piece of his mind had become irrational yet was still holding onto sanity if only by a thread.
The music was building and building to the breaking point until a waterfall of notes and sound crashed down on him and the listeners. The speed and power of the music skyrocketed before it slowly started to slow and eventually come to a halt. There was sweat on his brow and his fingers began to ache and scream at him. He was reaching his breaking point.
What followed was a vast silence made in three parts. The first was the silence of the audience. Not one of them could form a word to respond to what they had just witnessed. Ebony hadn’t even realized that a tear had rolled down one of her cheeks until she blinked and felt the familiar warmth in her eye. Petra’s face was paler than her usual dark obsidian complexion and she too had tears in her and had not realized.
The Prince’s face was a mix between awe, horror and sadness. His eyes shifted to his left towards Twilight and his expression shifted to that of disdain and disgust. Twilight herself felt as if a large had had gripped her whole body and was clutching her so tightly that she couldn’t even breath much less speak. The rest of the group was awestruck and even though the tears ruined her makeup, rarity couldn’t wipe it awe as the music continued to dance in her mind, almost as if she were under it’s trance.
The second silence came from the instrument itself. How long had it been sitting unplayed, untouched, unloved? Yet in the hands of this man it sang like a chorus of birds all in sync with one another. It would never know if it would ever be played like that again and the mere thought of that would bring tears to even the coldest of hearts.
The third silence came from the man himself and it was the loudest silence of the three. He sat on the bench of the piano and looked down at his aching finger tips as if he were looking for something. As he closed one hand his fingers cracked as he made a fist and opened them again. With the grace of a cat he stood up and started to make his way towards the door. No one made a move to stop him.
There was an air of dread about the assassin as his shoes clicked against the crystal floors. He moved like a stream, flowing and smooth. As he put his hand on the handle of the door the trance that encompassed the lavender Princess seemed to falter. She turned her head towards the man and only caught the briefest of glimpses of his face, but she was sure she saw a tear in his eye.
The sound of marching boots snapped her out of the trance completely and saw the three changelings exiting through the door. “I think I’ll retire for the night.” Ramil said in a harsh tone. Malik closed the door with a slam behind him that knocked the others out of their trance. Rarity realized her ruined make up and started to doctor it as best they could.
Twilight was still frozen in place as the full weight of the music came crashing down. It was the music of a man who had lost, seen and done things she cannot even begin to imagine. He was right, she couldn’t handle his music. She was back to her old self as she felt the captain’s hand on her shoulder.
“I think it’s best if we called it a night.” Ebony’s face was just as pale of hers and even through she wiped it away, Twilight could see the trail of the tear that came from her eye. Twilight agreed and the guests started to funnel out of the castle and return to their respective homes. The Princess herself returned to her room and got ready for bed.
As she lay atop her covers she heard a soft banging noise coming from the wall where the secret tunnel between her and the assassin’s room was. She slowly got out of bed and used her magic to gently and quietly slide the secret door open. The small hallway was empty safe for a small sliver of light coming from the other side of the passage. She conjured a small ball of mage light and walked towards the room.
She wasn’t sure why she was doing it. What could she possibly say to him after that? She thought about knocking but she doubted he wanted to talk to her. She peered through the crack that the light was sprouting from. She could only see the far wall and his desk where the disassembled hand canon rested.
She heard steps approaching and backed away, but still stayed closed enough to peer out the crack. The man was shirtless and was a bit wet. She figured he must have just gotten out of the bath tub. He leaned over the desk and looked down at the device. Twilight felt warmth rise to her cheeks as she saw the lean muscles of his back made only more prevalent by the droplets of water running down his back.
The muscles shifted as he stood back up and reached for the metal chain around his neck. He pulled the necklace that she’d seen when he reclaimed his equipment up over his head and set it on the desk. She saw his back shimmer and the skin shift and change. The Princess couldn’t hold back the sharp gasp as the smooth skin was replaced by one that’s heavily scarred canvas of skin. Scars from deep cuts and burns coated his back like a tapestry of depravity and pain.
She was so stunned she didn’t see him whirl as he heard her gasp. His chest was in a similar state. As the stone door was ripped to the side piercing her eyes with light. Her eyes refocused and with the light to his back she could still make out the scars, ones from slicing, piercing, burning. Her brain stopped listing all the possible ways he was tortured as her gaze became locked onto his teal eyes.
Her knees began to shake as she stared into the two deep crystal pools of pure rage. Her heart was beating faster and faster as the tension between them rose.
“Get out.” He hissed through grit teeth.
“I-I just,”
“Get out!” His voice was deafening in the small tunnel. Red lines slowly started to appear around the corners of his teal eyes. Twilight quickly staggered back before going into a full on sprint going back to her room. As she came back to her bed room she threw up a hand and the door was sealed behind her.
Nova, Fella, Simon and Willem were grouped in pairs and circled one another as they practiced combat techniques on one another. Nova’s eyes kept glancing from the blonde haired man in front of her to the dark haired captain. Nova blocked one of Willem’s punched with her hand and gripped his wrist as she wrestled him into a hold.
“Hey, whats eating the captain?” He whispered as he tried to break the hold.
“Not sure, she’s been acting weird all day.” Nova said as she tightened her grip. Willem managed to wrestle his way out of the hold and took a moment to catch his breath. Simon soon came up to them and helped his friend up from the ground. Meanwhile Fella slowly walked up to Ebony.
“Um, captain?” The dark haired woman’s head snapped up and her blue eyes focused on the brown haired woman.
“Yes private?” The usually attentive and razor sharp eyes Fella had come to know were now dull and distant.
“It’s just that we’ve been doing this for close to three hours now, was there anything else you wanted us to practice?” Ebony blinked once and looked at the group of exhausted soldiers.
“No,” Her tone was shaking. “you’re all dismissed for the day.” A loud sigh of relief swept through the guards. Fella saluted and went to rejoin the other three.
“So,” Simon breathed out. “what’s her deal?”
“Think it’s that time of the month?” Willem commented. Nova and Fella shook their heads.
“No, this is different.” Fella said.
“How can you tell the difference?” The two women gave him a pointed look.
“Call it a woman’s intuition.” The orange haired girl smirked as they made their way towards the castle and into the changing rooms. Once they exited in their civilian clothes they saw Saber leaning against the wall a smile on his face.
“Afternoon ladies,” He also gave the two men each a nod. “what are your plans for this evening?” The four looked at one another and shrugged.
“Probably just hang around, why?” Nova asked as the shorter girl crossed her arms under her chest.
“Just wondering if you all wouldn’t mind having a drink with me.” The four all raised an eyebrow at the advisor’s offer. “I’ll buy the first round.”
“I’m in.” Willem said without skipping a beat. The other three agreed with their fair haired friend and accompanied the advisor out of the large castle and into the small town. The four talked mainly of small things as they approached the tavern they’d often go to. They grabbed their usual seat in the back of the establishment and they each ordered a drink.
“Man that hits the spot after a long day.” Simon said after he took a quick swig of his drink.
“Agreed.” Saber said as he sipped his own. They all talked of small things such as the different training the four went through under the captain’s command and life in the castle prior to Ebony’s arrival. “I take it the captain was strict as ever today?” The four glanced at one another.
“Actually she was acting weird.” Fella commented. “She was very distracted and something was bugging her.” Saber felt a small tug at the corner of his lips, but simply shrugged it off.
“Who knows what goes on in that head of hers.” The assassin said in a nonchalant tone.
“Wouldn’t you?” Simon stated. “You two work together after all.” Saber simply chuckled.
“We don’t work together, we just happen to live in the same house.” He said waving his hand up dismissively. Willem narrowed his eyes as they focused on the man’s hand. Since when did a quill pusher have such calloused palms and fingers? The only way you got callouses like those were by gripping a sword handle for hours on end everyday.
A small shiver ran down Fella’s spine as she felt the man’s eyes on her. Her heart started beating faster and faster and every survival instinct she had told her to run and get as far away from the thin man as humanly possible. She hadn’t felt like this since her youth. She shook her head and her brown hair flowed with the shake.
“Are you feeling alright Fella?” Saber asked as he quirked an eyebrow.
“Yes,” She said as she threw on a smile. “I’m just tired from the drills today.” She faked a wince as she stretched her arms over her head and gripped her ring finger to crack it. Nova raised an eyebrow at the motion and felt her muscles pull tight against her skin.
“I swear the captain was riding us like a group of fresh whores.” Simon stated. The two women slowly turned to glare at the dark haired man.
“I don’t particularly care for that word.” Saber said. “There’s no need to call them such an uncouth phrase, their lives are hard enough without a label like that.’” He said before he reached his arms over is head and stretched.
Simon’s eyes flashed as the rooms light reflected off a small metal object coming from the man’s belt. He’d seen enough knives to recognize a dagger’s handle. “So how long have you all known each other?”
“We all met in basic training.” Nova answered. “We were the bottom of the barrel.” She admitted with a groan. “It was rough, but we all managed to make it through that hell.” They continued to talk of small things while the hours ticked by and the sky soon grew dark.
“We should probably get back to the castle.” Simon said as he set his money on the table and cracked his back. “We still have early morning training tomorrow.” The other three nodded and stood up. Saber stretched his arms and nodded.
“I should head back too or else the Princess will have my hide.” Saber paid for his drinks and accompanied the four friends back. The outside air had turned chilly and night had blanketed the sky and the only light came form the various lamps on the road and the stars above. The hair on Nova’s neck and arms suddenly shot on end. Her eyes glanced to the sides and saw her other three companions all felt the same chill wrapping around them.
She kept up her posture, but made a subtle gesture with her right hand, signaling her other three companions. They didn’t make a move, but understood what she meant. As soon as the opportunity arose they’d jump the white haired man and figure out what he was doing. “Impressive perception,” Saber said as they reached the castle’s empty main hall.
Nova whirled and curiously shot a quick punch at the man. Her clenched fist hit nothing but air and only saw her three companions each in a fighting stance. The four looked around their surroundings, but saw no trace of him. A clapping sound made all their heads’ turn upwards to see him standing on the ceiling looking down at them clapping his hands slowly. “however you still have much to learn before trying to sucker punch me.”
“What do you want?” Simon said as his blue eyes narrowed as Saber jumped down and did a three point landing a few feet away from them. He rose and rolled his shoulders before straightening his clothes.
“You four are interesting,” He cocked his head to the side. “not entirely so, but you have promise.” Willem cracked his knuckles and snarled at him. Saber flashed them a predatory grin that showed all of his white teeth.
“Answer the question.” Fella said as she stepped beside the dark haired man.
“Simply put, I’d like you four to work for me.” He crossed his arms in a feline casualness. “Aside from advising Princess Sparkle I’m also,” He paused as he thought how to phrase his words. “personal security and I gather information for her and the captain.”
“A spy master.” Simon spat out.
“If you want to be poetic about it,” He shrugged. “the problem is I’m only one person and the captain has given her permission to select a few individuals for me to take under my wing.”
“And you chose us?” Nova said with a raised eyebrow. “Why?”
“Because you four aren’t like those other self important idiots with delusions of grandeur and you’re the only ones who managed to detect my little tests.” He flashed them another toothy grin and the four felt another shiver run up their spines. Nova looked at her friends and could see the gears turning in their mind as they processed his words.
“What’s the catch? There’s always one to these kind of things.” Fella stated firmly as she brushed a bit of her dark brown hair behind one shoulder.
“Think about it and if you’re interested meet me tomorrow at midnight in the Southeast clearing three miles outside of town and we’ll see if you’ve got the kind of grit I’m looking for. Bring whatever weapons you see fit, you’re going to need them.” Before they could probe for more information he vanished as he reached the edge of the shadows.
~~~
Twilight had not seen hide or hair of Saber ever since she saw his back. That image was burned into her mind and it haunted her. As she entered her library she saw the Prince reclining in a chair with a book in his hand. His eyes glanced up and his brow furrowed as he saw the lavender winged Princess enter. Petra turned her head and a similar expression was on her usual stoic face.
“Your majesty,” Ramil said as he turned back to his book. Twilight felt the air around the Prince grow colder as he spoke.
“Is there something wrong?” Twilight inquired. Ramil closed his book so hard the stacks of bound pages made a loud slapping sound that echoed through the library’s vacant alleyways of shelves.
“I did not like Argent’s performance.” He said with a huff. Twilight had to agree that the performance the white haired man did was a bit shocking. “I detest people forcing others for entertainment.” His orange eyes burned like two embers.
Twilight was about to protest, but if she explained the deal she made with Saber it would no doubt raise suspicions about his true identity. Ramil got to his feet and made his way towards the door with Petra falling in behind him. He stopped as he passed the Princess. “It shows a lack of integrity.” He said with disdain clearly present in his voice.
Twilight only stood in the doorway until the two changelings left the library. Her feet seemed rooted to the ground s her mind drifted back to his performance and the scarred flesh that coated his torso.
“He seems mad.” Twilight slowly turned to the door and saw the white haired man leaning against the door frame. A sly smile on his lips. “Anyway, we need to have a private conversation.”
“About what?” She asked.
“If I told you here it wouldn’t be private now would it?” He gestured for her to follow and she did. As they walked through the crystal halls she couldn’t keep her eyes from his back that no doubt still held the scars. He stopped as he came to a door that he opened for the Princess. She hesitantly stepped inside to find it completely vacant safe for a record player in the corner and a few chairs.
“What’s this for?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” He said as he locked the door and walked towards her. Twilight felt her heart starting to beat fast and a voice in her head told her to run, run, run. She slowly started to gather arcane power in her palm. He walked past her and over to the record player.
He fingered through the records and set it on the turn table before setting the needle on the disk. “Your dancing of course.” He said as music filled the room. “It’s important that we cure those two left feet of yours.” Twilight relaxed and canceled the defense spell she was preparing.
“Since I don’t trust anyone from Canterlot to come here to teach you and keep their mouth shut while they’re doing it, I will have to instruct you.” He said as he took his fine coat off to reveal the deep blue tunic underneath.
“Is dancing really that important to the court?” Saber looked at her as if she’d just struck him across the face.
“Of course.” He said as he threw his hands over his head. “When you’re dealing with the court they will look for any sign of weakness they can use against you. It should be obvious considering how many times I’ve explained how dangerous the court is.” He said with a groan. She furrowed her brow at him and crossed her arms.
“As I said, I will instruct you on how to carry yourself so you don’t embarrass yourself and more importantly, me.” He said as he started to stretch. “I suggest you limber up a little.” Twilight sighed and started to follow his lead. Twilight could see his lean rippling muscle under his shirt and was surprised at how limber he was.
He instructed her on how to walk with grace and authority, which was a chore in itself. He did make a note that she had good posture, but she needed some work on how she moved. “Like I said, move with authority.” It was the fifth time he’d told her. He demonstrated it for her again. His movements were fluid and had an air of power that radiated with each step and motion.
Twilight only grumbled as she sat back in a chair to give her legs a rest. They’d been at this for hours and Saber only seemed to find more mistakes every time she tried to correct the ones she’d previously made. Saber took a seat a few feet away from her and stretched his hands over his head.
“Honestly, did Celestia teach you anything before you became a Princess?” He said as he wiped his brow with his sleeve.
“I put my effort into studying magic, not politics.” She replied. “It’s only because I studied so hard that I was able to become a Princess in the first place.”
“Now this I’ve got to hear.” He’d been in prison when Twilight had taken the throne and didn’t know the story behind how she did. Twilight explained the events of Starswirl’s journal and all the problems it caused her and her friends. By the end Saber just looked bored. “That was the most anti-climactic rise to power I’ve ever heard.” She furrowed her brow at the words.
“Knowing magic is good and all but what's the point of knowing it if you can’t use it at the drop a hat?” He shrugged. Twilight snapped her fingers and a lavender fireball appeared in her palm. Saber raised an eyebrow, usually a spell like that needed at least ten-seconds to conjure yet she did it in less than one. “Okay, so you have some skill.”
“I beat an Ursa Minor bare handed.” He raised both eyebrows at the remark. He’d only read about the large bear like creatures and prayed he’d never see one. “I think that’s more than just some skill.” She said in an indignant tone.
A long silence formed between the two and Twilight kept her gaze on the shining floor. After minutes on end she spoke up. “I’m sorry about the other night.” He quirked an eyebrow at the words. “When I saw your back.”
He didn’t have a reaction to her words and kept as still as a statue. “It wasn’t right that I looked.” Saber still remained motionless for a few minutes before speaking up.
“If you’re fishing for forgiveness, you won’t find it.” He said in a flat tone. Twilight kept her expression equally blank.
“What did you do to get sent to that place?” Saber rolled his eyes.
“Why the interest in my history?” His tone was sharp enough to cut through steel. “Believe me when I say this; the less you know about me, the better.” Twilight kept her purple gaze on him.
“Fine, I’ll give you the short version.” He cleared his throat. “I fought, killed, traveled, loved, lost and was betrayed. Write it down and stick it where ever you want for all the good it will do.” His flippant tone made her eyes narrow.
“Trust me I’m doing you a favor, I’m not some protagonist in a children’s fairy-tail.”
“Then what kind of story would you be?” His eyes met hers and there was a small ripple of power and annoyance that came from his form.
“I suppose, if I had to name a genre, it’d certainly be a tragedy.” He put his hands on his knees and stood up. “Now if you’re done interrogating me, can we can get back to it? Time is not on our side.” She let out a sigh and obliged. As they started again the door opened to reveal the dark haired captain dressed in a simple tunic and pants her unnamed sword still at her side.
“Am I interrupting something?” She asked as she saw Twilight and Saber’s arms around one another. They separated and Saber groaned.
“No, I think we’re done for the day.” Saber said as he cracked his back. Twilight gave him a neutral nod and made her way out of the room blaming the small redness on her cheeks from the exercise. “By the way Captain,” Ebony turned her attention to the assassin. “I heard a small rumor that a few guards might try to sneak out tonight for a night of drinking.” Ebony ground her teeth and her lips formed a thin line.
“Who?” Saber just shrugged.
“Not sure, I didn’t hear any names but it might be better if you put some extra guards on the main exits.” She bit her lip and nodded as he collected his belongings.
“What were you and Twilight doing in here?”
“Attempting to cure her two left feet.” He shook is head as he recalled all the mistakes she made. “You’d think someone like her would know how to at least waltz.” A thought came to him and he turned to the dark haired woman. “While we’re on the topic, do you know how to dance?”
“Of course, I learned when I was younger.” She grimaced at the lessons she was forced to learn.
“Well, one of these days I’ll have to ask you for one.” She let out a quick laugh.
“I’d rather dance with a corpse.” He gave her a smirk.
“I’ll consider it a standing offer then.” He gathered his belongings and headed back to his room.
All that day, Saber’s words buzzed around in Fella’s head as she attended to her mundane duties. A day filled with sweeping empty hallways, polishing armor and weapons that will probably never be used. She looked from her bunk in the barracks at Nova and she could tell that her orange haired friend was in a similar state of mind. Nova looked across and shrugged her shoulders.
“Might as well see what this deal is.” The two nodded and dressed in civilian clothes. Nova went into her travel sack and pulled out an unstrung bow and a quiver filled with arrows along with two single bladed axes that she secured on her belt. Fella grabbed a rapier and pulled out two slim, yet sharp stiletto daggers and hid them in her boots.
Nova signaled that the coast was clear and she gently pushed the door open and peered into the hallway. Torches and braziers hung on the shining crystal walls casting dark shadows. The two headed out making as little noise as possible. The two froze as they heard armored boots fast approaching. They both hugged the wall and Fella waved her fingers and the brazier was extinguished as if she were doing the same to a candle with her fingers.
Nova nodded in approval as the guards passed them. The two quickly made their way through the castle as quickly and quietly as they could. As Fella rounded a corner her face hit something firm yet was soft. She was about to shriek when a strong hand clamped over her lips. Her brown eyes focused and the first thing she saw was Simon’s blonde hair shimmering in the dim light of the torch a few feet behind him.
He pulled his hand back and Fella lightly punched him in the shoulder as she stuck her tongue out. He raised and eyebrow and shook his head as she noticed that he was dressed in simple clothes and a long sword hung at his side, a shield was on his back. Behind him was Willem, his black hair pulled back into a messy knot. Two handles of short swords peered over his shoulders.
Nova checked to see if anyone else was in the hallway before turning to Simon who gestured questioningly to her bow. Nova just shrugged and gestured to her waist to show she also had a single handled axe on her belt. Willem hissed and gestured for the group to follow him. Fella made a note about the guard’s rotations and how they seemed to be more frequent than normal nights. The four continued through the halls dodging patrol after patrol.
They even had to circle around certain hallways to avoid more guards. The four soon came to the side entrance that exited out into the courtyard. Simon cracked the door open and peered out into the night. His eyes flashed and he motioned for everyone to stop as his breath hitched. He cracked open the door more so the others could see. In the light of the moon, Ebony’s black long sword shined like black glass as she swung it.
Sneaking by the other guards was one thing, but if the captain caught them they’d be courtmartialed for sure. She swung her dark blade and panted as sweat beaded on her forehead. As she started to sheath her sword, her whole body seemed to go rigid and she pulled her blade back out. She turned with feline grace towards the door and Simon slowly started to step back along with the other three. She stalked towards the door and was reaching for the handle when she whirled. Her dark hair flowing in the night air.
“Who’s there?” She yelled out as he golden eyes scanned the courtyard and she stalked out of view of the door. Simon waited a few seconds before opening the door wider and looked for the captain. He looked back towards his friend debating the lunacy of the situation. He gave them a look that said ‘we can still go back.’
Nova bit her lip and looked to Fella who simply shrugged, Willem let out a sigh and headed out into the night air quickly and quietly, the others following close behind. Once they cleared the castle grounds and made it into town, they had almost no trouble. They kept to the alley ways of the town and avoided the main streets. Fella took the lead and guided the group to the outskirts of the sleepy town.
Once they got to the tree line, Nova took the lead and found some slightly trampled grass. By her guess, someone had run through not ten minutes before they showed up. Willem pulled his two long swords out and covered the rear as Nova lead them on though the brush. After a few minutes the trees opened up into a small clearing. The four kept on the edge and scanned the area. Willem’s eyes flashed as he saw the man’s white hair shine in the moon light.
“Well, you four took your time.” He strode into the clearing wearing some fighting leathers and Caelena strapped to his back poking over his right shoulder. “Still, not bad for amateurs. With a little refinement, you four could be quite the group of undesirables.”
“Out with it.” Simon barked. “You dragged us out here, risked our careers for this.” He rested his hand on the pommel of his sword. Saber shook his head and chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Willem hissed. Saber looked at the group.
“Just curious that out of all the highly trained guards only you lot managed to detect my tests.” He gave them all a too white smile. “I expected at least a few of them would pass and yet here I have an outcast, a bandit, a bastard and a whore.” The four all felt a rage pound through their veins and they all tightened their grip on their weapons. “That’s what you four are and that’s all you’ll ever be in the Royal guard’s eyes no matter how hard you work for them. Your ‘careers’ are nothing but a joke to the higher ups.”
Nova quickly knocked an arrow and fired at the man. Saber didn’t move as the bolt shot over his shoulder and embedded itself in a tree behind him. Saber raised an eyebrow and looked at the arrow. “If you’re trying to scare me then you’ll have to do better than that.” She shot another arrow, this time aiming between his eyes.
Saber quickly ducked out of the way and threw a knife at the group. Willem quickly deflected the blade with his two swords. Fella and Simon pulled their weapons out as Saber balanced another dagger on the flat of his hand. “Right then, welcome to the most deadly job interview of your lives.” He sheathed the dagger and cracked his neck.
“The rules are simple; try to kill me in whatever way you can. If you impress me, I’ll open your eyes to the real danger. Disappoint me and well,” He looked around the clearing and to the woods that surrounded them. “it’s very easy for people to go missing in this forest.” The four recruits tensed at the words and watched him like a pack of wolves staring at a stag.
Saber liked the look in their eyes and gestured for them to start as he stepped back towards the tree line and vanished in the thick foliage. The four took one last long look at one another feeling if they wanted to cut their losses and leave, then this would be their last chance. Once they passed that threshold, they’d enter a world they weren’t sure they’d be ready for. They all let the thought settle in before they raced toward the tree line and entered darkness.
Saber smirked as he watched from an up high branch as the group trekked through the forest. The trees were massive in size. The thick green canopy blocked out any light from the moon or stars. The branches were thick and strong. Perfect for climbing and stalking.
Saber saw the branches a few feet in front of him rustle slightly. The branches burst apart as Willem dashed out with his two swords in his hands. Saber palmed his fighting knives and met him on the end of the branch. Metal sung as they clashed high above the ground. Saber parried the blows and stepped back.
“You fight well. Your tribe trained you well before you left,” Willem grunted and engaged him again with his blades. “or is exiled the correct term?” He hissed loudly and slashed. Each strokes of his blades were precise and lethal.
Saber parried them expertly with his knives and sent both longswords flying from his grip. Willem gritted his teeth and flexed his fingers before clenching them into fists and slammed them into the tree branch. The bark seemed to crawl up and wrap around his hands and arms.
“Blades are boring.” He threw both arms out as if he were tearing something in front of him before he slammed both his fists together. His arms started to shift and his skin started to become more like rocks. With a quick punch he sent some of the rocks connected to his skin flying. Saber quickly dodged the flying rocks and heard them embed themselves in the tree bark behind here he once stood.
Saber dodged the fist Willem threw at him. Saber kept himself on the balls of his feel making sure to watch his footing in the thick branches of the dark forest. Willem halted his attack just as two arrows shot towards them. Saber ducked just in time for Willem to charge at him with his foot encased in stone. As Saber brought both arms up he caught the armored boot and gave it a sharp twist.
Willem felt his footing slip and felt himself fall from the tall branches. He righted himself in the air and did a three point landing. Immediately his attention darted to where the man stood to find the space empty. He checked his surroundings and saw the familiar glint of his blades in the moonlight. Willem carefully approached the fallen swords.
As he reached down to retrieve them, he felt something wrap around his legs and rip him into the air. He grunted in more frustration than pain as he felt himself dangle from the snare. Despite the utter helplessness he was feeling, he did not feel the same razor sharp focus the assassin had on him previously. He felt the rope go slack and he went into a roll as he landed. He looked back to see the arrow that cut the rope embed itself in a tree.
Seventy feet away, Nova allowed herself a small smile as she saw her companion land. She always did have the best shot out of the recruits. She checked her quiver and felt she still had several arrows left. As she went to move a slim dagger flew through the foliage and cut her arm. She bit down on her lip and rolled out from under the shrub and scrambled up into the branches and jumped form branch to branch as nimble a squirrel.
She pushed a branch out of the way as a firm arm came out from a nearby trunk and caught her under the chin. She grunted and felt herself fall back onto the ground. As she jumped to her feet she slung her bow over one shoulder and pulled out the twin axes from her belt. She brought them up just as Saber brought his sword down on her.
“Tell me, did you learn to shoot that well from attacking caravans?” She grunted and forced him back before charging at him. Her swings seemed wild, but she was just trying to keep him off balance. He managed to leave her melee range, but kept his sword ready to defend.
“You’re a slippery little prick.” Nova said as she reassured her grip on her axe handles. Saber smiled at her words. He raised as brow as her form started to become distorted and then vanish entirely. He let out a sigh and stood with predatory stillness with his sword firmly grasped in his hand. For a moment there was nothing but silence, even the bugs seemed to cease their chirping. He whirled left and his sword met against her axe blades.
The orange haired woman stepped back and vanished once again. They clashed three more times in the same manner before the spell wore off and Nova was left visible. She threw one of her axes at the man in frustration. As the axe flew end over end, Saber took a single step back as he reached his hand out and caught the weapon just below the axe head. Saber whirled and threw the axe to the far right.
The blade stuck into a tree trunk just above Fella’s head. Nova quickly pulled out her bow and shot several arrows at the man. Saber batted them away with his sword and threw two daggers at Nova. One hit her in the shoulder while the other cut into her leg. She dropped to one knee as Saber rushed in and kicked her in the side of her head.
Her form crumpled and fell forwards. Fella clamped a hand over her mouth as she saw her friend fall. She calmed herself as she saw Nova’s chest rise and fall with each breath.
“Come out witch.” Saber said as he looked around the forest. Fella slowly reached down and gripped the handle of her rapier and silently drew it from it’s sheath. In her other hand she clutched a dagger. She took a step back and froze as a dry twig snapped under her boot.
Saber whirled and threw himself at the hiding spot. Fella lunged towards him with the rapier firmly grasped in her hand. “There you are.” He said as they locked swords. Fella jabbed the stiletto at him, but Saber stepped out of the way of the thin piece of metal.
Fella panted and righted her footing as her eyes focused on the assassin. There was the sound of breaking branches and Simon came out with his sword and shield firmly grasped in each hand. “And the bastard arrives.” Simon grunted and charged in. Saber brought his blade down on his longsword. Simon’s footing didn’t falter and he lashed out with his shield.
Saber dodged and slammed his shoulder into the shield making the top lip hit the man’s forehead stunning him for a moment. Simon reeled back and had just enough time to bring his shield up as saber brought his blade down. The wooden shield groaned and the wood started to split. Simon slipped his hand out of the handles and jumped back a few feet. Saber felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise and whirled just as Willem burst from the trees both swords drawn.
He brought both down on Saber as Simon charged. Saber blocked Willem’s blades with Caelena and Simon’s sword with his bracer’s blade. His arm muscles started to strain under the mens’ weight and his legs started to quiver. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Fella casting a spell to heal Nova and bring her back to consciousness. The two women got to their feet and went to join their companions.
“Got you now.” Nova said panting. Saber let out a breath and for a brief moment let the swordsmen gain a little ground. In a sudden motion, Saber shot both arms out and they were pushed back by an unseen telekinetic pulse. Saber retracted the bracer blade and looked at the four who had now formed a circle around him.
“Not quite,” Saber said as he cracked his neck. “just goes to show that I’m still out of shape.” He rolled his shoulder making them pop. “Still you four show talent and I think I’ve seen enough.” He sheathed his blade and started to make his way towards the trail that led back tot he town.
An arrow passed over his shoulder and he paused. He turned back to the four and saw Nova had another arrow drawn and aimed at his chest. “Really, you’re threatening your new boss?” Nova loosed the arrow and saber blocked it with Caelena. “Right then, it seems you four need more discipline and it’s my job to do just that.” He grinned a manic grin as the moon ducked out behind the clouds. The man’s form vanished safe for a pair of gleaming red eyes staring back at them. As the light returned to the clearing, Fella screamed as darkness engulfed them.
Captain Northwind caught herself as she started to slump agains the smooth pillar that was adjacent to the main entrance of the castle. She relieved the guards who were keeping watch a few hours ago. She kept thinking that Saber had sent her on a wild goose chase and made a mental note to make him pay for it. She was just about to give up as the door opened. She straightened herself and rested her hand on her sword as she thought of the perfect way to punish the disobedient soldiers.
Her words sputtered and died and new rage formed in her gut as she Saw Saber saunter through the doorway. He was dressed in a fine shirt and pants, but she noticed that there was some mud on his boots.
“Ah Captain, a bit late isn’t it?” Saber said as he casually stretched his hands over his head.
“What are you doing out so late?” Her teeth were clenched together.
“I see no reason to explain what I do in my free time.” He yawned indignantly. “However, along the way I did pick a few things that might interest you.” He waved his hand and in stepped the four recruits. Their eyes were sunken and Ebony saw bruises and a few cuts covering their bodies, their clothes were also sullied with mud. “I asked them to help me with a few people who were causing trouble.”
Simon and Willem each had an unconscious individual slung over their shoulders, Nova and Fella were also dragging someone behind them. “These three got drunk and started making a ruckus.”
“Did they now?” Ebony said as she looked at the four recruits. Fella quickly nodded not daring to look at the assassin. She turned back to Saber and scowled. “Why didn’t you come to me with this?”
“There wasn’t time.” He said plainly. “Besides, I couldn’t stand up to three trained guards all on my own.” If anything, Ebony had to give him credit for his acting skills. She let out a sigh and looked at the three unconscious guards. She could smell the booze on them and saw a few bruises on their faces. She flecked her gaze to the four battered recruits and nodded.
“Good work, take those three down to the dungeons. You’re dismissed.” Saber rolled his eyes and leaned closer to her.
“Don’t you think they deserve something a little more than just a pat on the back?” He whispered to her. She turned her head towards him and fixed him with a glare. Saber shrugged as he backed away with his hands splayed out. She took in the recruits’ various states of damage and exhaustion.
“You four may have the next three days off.” Simon almost stumbled as he heard her words. “However, you are on standby. If there’s an emergency then I expect you four to do your duty.”
“Yes sir,” They answered before saluting her. They quickly gathered the three unconscious guards in their arms and made their way towards the lower floors of the castle. Saber yawned and soon wandered off to bed for a good night’s rest. As soon as Fella found a private corner with a bucket she doubled over and emptied the contents of her stomach into the bucket. She peered over and saw that her three friends were in no better shape.
Even in the dim lighting she could see that Willem’s usual tanned complexion was very pale. Nova was also heaving into a corner of an empty cell.
“What the hell was that?” She said before vomiting again.
“That was,” Simon steadied himself on his knees. “I mean, you all saw that right?”
“I don’t think we could ever unsee it.” Willem said as he leaned against the wall, grateful for the stone’s cold surface to cool his head.
“Stuff out of my goddamn nightmares.” Nova said as she wiped her mouth clean of the bile, though the taste still stained her mouth. Nova heard fella gasp and she whirled to see the white haired man leaning in the doorway. Simon and Willem visibly tensed as he stepped into the hallway and looked at the four.
“You lot do show promise and you had the fortitude to not lose your minds in the face of overwhelming odds. Most would’ve gone mad, or worse.”
“What the hell did you do to us?” Willem hissed.
“Just tested your mettle a little.” He turned on his heel and started to walk back to his quarters. “Rest up, you’re all going to need it.” Saber turned the corner and headed back to his room. On the way there he felt a breeze brush over his shoulder.
He slowly turned to see the crystal wall illuminated by the torch. The flame was still, but it flickered as a small gust of wind blew across the flame. Saber approached the wall and ran his hand across it’s smooth surface. He traced the wall and found a small seam that allowed the air to pass through. He took one of the torches and examined it.
The crack was not from degradation, it appeared to be put there by the original architect. He ran his finger down the grove and found the edge to be smooth. He pressed his hand against the rock and it would not budge. He felt around more and found another groove. He traced it and found that they intersected in a ninety degree angle.
Saber took a step back and examined the wall with a tilt of his head. He ran his fingers against the smooth surface and something subtle brushed his palm. He pressed against the spot and the stone around his hand slid inward. There was the sound of stone scraping against stone as the rest of the section of the wall did the same and then slid up to reveal a set of crystal steps going down.
“Of course there’s a secret passage way.” He said to himself. With the torch in hand he started to descend the steps. As he past the tenth steps he whirled as the stone door closed and sealed shut. He let out an irritated sigh and continued downwards. The staircase started to spiral and Saber peered over the edge to see a faint light far below. Slowly but surely, he reached the bottom and found a stone door cracked open.
Saber pushed in and the door slowly swung open to reveal a vacant room safe for a circular table in the middle that had a complete diagram of the castle above. There were several names above small dots scattered around the diagram with names above them. Ebony was on the West wing in her office, Twilight was on the top floor in her room and the four recruits were in the barracks. Saber looked down and saw the projection was coming from a slim shining jewel the size of his palm.
As he reached for it the projection vanished and the light faded. Suddenly a large image of a woman’s head appeared where the map was. Her hair was cut short and in a tight bun. Her eyes were fierce and focused on saber.
“Who are you?” She barked as he blue eyes narrowed on him. “Are the lord of this castle?”
“No, I’m not.” Saber said as he collected himself. “It’s polite to give your name before asking another.” A menacing grin appeared on the head’s face.
“I am Uriel, the Hammer. I am a Maker. It was by my kind’s hands that the white castle was built, we turned clouds to stone and built upon them a floating city.” Saber had to fight to keep himself from bombarding the entity with questions.
“I am called Saber.” He said as he gave her a bow. “I am employed by the Princess of this castle.” The head snorted at him.
“Why is it that the servant has found me and not the Lady of the castle?”
“Let’s just say I pay attention a little more than she does.” He grinned. “What is this place?”
“This is the heart of the castle. The place where my consciousness resides and where once can control the castle.” Saber raised an eyebrow at this.
“What do you mean by this?” The large head smiled a feral smile.
“You can create new hallways that lead to nowhere, lock rooms or have them cave in on itself if you wish.” A thousand deadly ideas started to from in the assassin’s mind. “However, this is only for the Lady of the castle, not her servant.” His mouth made a thin line at the word servant.
“In my experience, someone who’s too dumb to figure something out usually doesn’t deserve the reward.” The head rolled back and let out a howl of laughter.
“That is usually true. However, rules are rules. I must admit I am surprised that you are currently not screaming at my appearance.”
“Let’s just say you’re not the first severed head that’s talked to me.” His tone was firm and serious. A low rumble of a chuckle came from the projection.
“You’re an interesting one, although I don’t think I’d want to know what goes on in that head of yours.”
“Trust me, you don’t.” An idea started to form as he looked at the table where the map once showed. “I understand that you have a duty to fulfill to the Princess, but what about that map? What can it do?”
“It shows everything and within the castle grounds as I’m sure you’re aware. It also can open any locked door in the castle.” Saber grinned at hearing the last part.
“Something like that could be quite useful for someone in my position.” Uriel narrowed her eyes as he spoke. Saber could feel the entity’s gaze looking over every inch of him. “I’m charged to defend her you see.” The head raised an eyebrow at his words.
“Fine, the map is yours. Provided you are true to your word.”
“Of course,” The crystal reappeared on the table and Saber took it. The map of the castle shined out and he saw every living person in the castle. “pleasure doing business with you m’lady.” She snorted and the head vanished as the door opened again. Saber smiled to himself as he admired the gem and saw that Ebony was pacing in her office.
He did not try to hide his giddiness as he returned to his room with the jewel in hand. After all, in a castle of locked doors, the man with the key is king.
Having a map of the castle that tracked everyone’s movements was possibly the best thing Saber could have. Whenever Ebony or Twilight were meeting with one another he ‘just so happened to be within earshot.’ He also used it to keep track of the Prince and his two guards. Saber didn’t think they were up to something, but he had his orders from the captain. As he studied the map more he discovered that he could control the doorways in his immediate vicinity with the key.
He mostly used this to break into Ebony’s office from time to time and take a quick peek at her files or just move things around, possibly a mere six inches to the left or right and he knew it was slowly getting to her. He also spent the next few days training Nova, Fella, Simon, and Willem privately. Nova was an expert climber and showed them how to properly scale a building or tree with relative silence and ease. Fella was an expert when it came to blending in with the crowd, sometimes vanishing entirely while Willem drilled them all in hand to hand combat. Simon’s knowledge of the current noble houses along with alchemical mixtures and potions was extremely interesting to Saber.
Saber had found an abandoned room on the map where he started teaching them in the killing arts and the proper way to deceive, vanish and the proper way to listen in on a conversation without being seen. One day while making his way through the castle hallway, he was stopped by Twilight and Ebony. “Something I can help you with Princess?”
“I need you and Ebony to accompany me to Sugar Cube Corner.” He obliged and walked with the two out of the castle giving a polite not to Simon and Willem who were polishing armor. The two gave the slightest of nods back at him. The streets were bustling with the usual buyers and sellers. They soon arrived at the pastry shop and made their way inside the pastry shop.
Mrs. Cake, a portly woman with bright pink hair done up in a bun in her arms was a small girl with her husband’s bright orange hair.
“Oh, hello dear.” She smiled at Twilight. “What can I get you?”
“I’m actually looking for Pinkie Pie, is she here?”
“Oh yes, she’s here. Let me just find her.” She was looking for something then turned to Ebony. “Beg your pardon captain, but could you hold Pumpkin for a moment?” Ebony didn’t have a chance to respond before the small toddler was put in her arms. For the first time since Saber had met her, the captain looked nervous as she looked down at the small child. No sooner than Mrs.Cake vanished into the other room in search for the bouncy pink haired girl with Twilight trailing behind had the small girl realized that Ebony was not in fact her mother.
This sudden realization resulted in the small child wailing and crying. Saber chuckled to himself as Ebony looked around for something to pacify the toddler with until her mother returned. She shot a nasty glare at the assassin who was struggling to keep his composure.
“This is not funny.” She hissed through grit teeth.
“It is from where I’m sitting.” As much as seeing the captain in any form of discomfort brought a smile to his face, he must admit that the child’s wailing was getting on his nerves and caused his ears to start ringing. “Oh for god’s sake give her here.” Ebony wanted to protest but Saber had already scooped the toddler into his arms and was resting her against his shoulder. He whispered a few words of comfort to the child and slowly she started to calm down.
“See? It’s not that hard.” He said as he padded the child’s back and she started to calm down more. A few minutes ticked by and a slim freckled man with curly orange hair came out from the back with a small toddler with a brown hair and white feathered wings coming from his back.
“I can take her from you Argent.” Saber handed the small girl back to her father and wiped a little bit of saliva off his shirt. “Sorry, I’m sure you know how kids are.” Saber raised an eyebrow. “You obviously have some skill with children. Do you have any?” saber’s face fell slack and a terrifyingly calm impassivity seemed to sweep over his features.
“No, not anymore.” Before he let what said settle in, a muffin collided with the side of his head and he whirled to see Pinkie Pie hiding behind one of the booths. She gestured to saber and Ebony for them to follow her. Saber did as she begged and followed her to a side room.
“Good you guys are here, I need to talk to you.”
“Is there a problem?” Ebony asked getting into her serious tone.
“Yes, Twilight’s birthday is in three weeks and I figured I needed to tell you two. I can normally handle it all myself but I want it to be a surprise and Rarity say’s I’m not really,” She appeared to be grasping for a word that kept eluding her.
“Subtle?” Pinkie snapped and pointed at Saber.
“Exactly! I need you two to tell the guards and help me sneak in to decorate the whole castle when I have everything.” She reached into her head of bouncy pink curls and pulled out a list before handing it to Ebony.
“I’ll do my best.” Ebony said nervously as she pocketed the list. Pinkie gave them both a thumbs up and quickly zoomed off leaving a trail of dust behind her. He wondered how she did that but pushed it out of her mind as Twilight came back out. “So what did she want?”
“It’s Pinkie Pie, I’m not going to try to explain it.” She said as she rubbed her temples. She made her way out with the two in tow. Ebony noticed that Saber was being particularly quiet since they left.
“Have you ever had children?” Twilight halted and turned to look at Saber. The assassin remained silent and cast a dark look at the captain.
“It’s none of your business captain.” He hissed. Tension seemed to rise between the two and Twilight was once again caught in the middle. Thankfully the tension was diffused by someone calling out to them.
“Ah Princess, how goes your day?” She turned to see Ramil and Petra approaching them. The store vendors stopped to look and stare but the two changelings paid them no mind.
“Very well, how are you?”
“Fair, I heard tell there was a traveling wine merchant here today and I decided to investigate. I’m curious to see if they have any Merlot red. Care to join?” He looked to Saber at the last part.
“Going wine tasting with a charming chap such as yourself? How could I possibly refuse?” Saber responded completely ignoring Twilight and Ebony. Ramil grinned as Saber’s response. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” The group walked through the small town talking amongst one another, mostly it was just Saber and Ramil talking with one another about small things. Ebony’s eyes slowly drifted over to Petra. Her firm expression was fixed on her face like a mask bolted to her face. Her eyes were scanning the streets and Ebony could tell that every muscle in her body was like a tightly coiled spring waiting to strike.
Her eyes focused on a trail of thin white scars that were like a trail leading up the underside of her arm.
“Why are you staring?” Ebony realized that she was indeed staring at the scars.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to cause offense. I was just wondering about those.” She gestured to her arms. Petra looked down and a small grin appeared at the corner of her mouth.
“It is complicated.” They soon arrived to a small horse drawn cart where two men had several stalls set up in front. Many barrels were inside the cart along with cases of wine. The older of the two men had pale skin and fading blonde hair. He was dressed in a nice looking blue tunic and matching pants. The other man was younger and had cream colored skin with a head of dark black curls that were pulled back and tied into a bun.
The blonde man smiled as they approached.
“Ah, my friends how can I help you today?”
“You wouldn’t happen to have any Merlot red would you?” Ramil asked. The man snapped his fingers and started to fish around in the crates and pulled out a dark bottle. Ramil paid the man just as he saw Twilight and immediately bowed to her.
“Your majesty,”
“Please, rise.” Twilight gestured to him to do so.
“How can I be of service?” Twilight gave him a nervous smile.
“I’m not that well versed in wine, what do you recommend?” The man’s eyes lit up with delight.
“I have just the thing.” He snapped his fingers rather loudly. “Boy, break out the Draconian cask.” The younger man nodded and climbed into the back of cart and started rummaging around. “A very fine vintage.” He said as Saber’s eyes flashed with recognition.
The assistant came back out holding a small cask with painted red wood and dark iron bands around the ends. “It is the sweetest wine this side of Equestria.” The boy made to hand it to Ebony but Saber stepped in his path and held out a hand.
“I’d like a taste of that.” He said as he took the cask and examined it.
“It is not for the like of you. It is the wine of royalty.” Saber ignored him and uncorked the top of the barrel.
“You wouldn’t happen to have a cup would you?” The seller huffed and grabbed a small brass tasting cup a little bigger than a thimble. Saber poured the rich red liquid into the cup careful not to spill a drop. He raised the cup to his nose and breathed in it’s scent. “Very sweet indeed,” He said as he pulled it away from his nose for a moment.
“Made with only the ripest of grapes.” Saber breathed in the smell again and slowly put it to his lips. His eyes could see the beads of sweat forming on the seller’s brow and the panic in his eyes.
“You know, here you are in the hot sun selling your wares. I feel quite guilty." He held out the small cup to the man. “Here, you must be quite thirsty.” The seller’s eyes widened.
“I am not worthy of such a drink and it would be bad for me to drink my own wares.” His voice held a light twinge of fear in it.
“Do it.” Petra commanded as she put her full attention on the seller, a hand on her sword’s hilt. Ebony’s eyes narrowed and slid her hand down to her’s as well. The seller looked at the group and gently took the cup from the assassin. He slowly put it to his lips watching the group. His hand started twitching the closer it got to his lips.
In a flash Saber was blinded as the man splashed the wine in his face. The seller pulled out a dagger and slashed at Twilight. Saber anticipated the move and pushed her back close to Ebony. The wine was still in his eyes and he couldn’t see the dagger slash upwards towards him, but felt the sharp blade slice across his chest and open his skin. The seller got ready to come around for another attack, but his wrist came to a jarring halt at Petra’s strong hand closed around it.
The man cried out as Petra jerked his wrist and the sound of breaking bones filled the air. Her other palm slammed into his abdomen and the man dropped to his knees as Petra brought her foot around and kicked him in the side of his head. He crumbled the ground wordlessly and fell into unconsciousness. Her cat like eyes then focused on the younger man who’d dropped the cask he was carrying and was running in the other direction.
Cold started to fill the air around him and he didn’t make it past the cart when the wine seemed to reach out and take hold of him, then freeze him in place. Saber looked to see Ebony with her sword drawn, pointing directly where the frozen servant stood. She let out a breath seemed to contain frost. Several guards scurried and formed a protective circle around the group. A familiar orange winged sergeant came up to Ebony.
“Captain, what happened here?” Petra walked over to the broken cask and scooped up a bit of the wine. She dabbed her finger in the puddle and raised it to her lips before putting it in her mouth. Her eyes shrank and she quickly spat the liquid out.
“Poison.” She hissed. Ebony looked over to Saber who gave her a nod in agreement. Ebony’s eyes flashed to the two sellers and scowled.
“Put these two criminals in irons and take them to the dungeons. I’ll question them later.” The men nodded and grabbed the unconscious man and started to chisel the frozen one out. Ebony then hurried over to Saber who was still on the ground clutching his still bleeding chest. Twilight was kneeling down beside him and trying to contain her panic.
“How did you know it was poisoned?” Twilight whispered as she helped Saber up.
“I didn’t,” He panted. “but any wine merchant would know that Draconians don’t have vintages, they call it aged wine and Draconian wine is famous and sought after for it’s bitterness.” He continued to get up as Petra then walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder to stop him from moving.
“The blade was poisoned too.” She held up the dagger and sniffed it. “Not same poison, manticore venom.” Saber took the dagger from her and saw that there was indeed traces of a liquid on the blade other than his blood.
“I have an antidote for it back at the castle.” He was about to hand it back when Twilight put a hand on his shoulder and they were instantly teleported inside her room at the castle.
Saber steadied himself against he bed and shook his head.
“Warn me next time you do that.” He said as he rolled his neck and stretched.
“Don’t move.” Twilight said as she held up the vial that Zecora made for her. Saber took the bottle and chugged the contents. He waited a moment as he felt the antidote circulate through his system and groaned as he still felt some dull throbbing in his muscles.
“Remind me to thank her thoroughly." He slapped his own face lightly to get some color back into his slightly pale cheeks. "Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go deal with this.” He gestured to his blood stained shirt. “Let me know when Ebony is going to question the prisoners.”
He used the passage connecting their rooms and left her standing in the room holding the antidote. Two hours went by and after patching himself up, Saber made his way down to the dungeons where he found an irate looking Ebony standing in front of a closed off room. “Any luck?” He asked as he approached the two women.
“They won’t talk.” Ebony hissed. Saber turned his head to Twilight and she shook her head. Saber let out an exasperated sigh.
“Why don’t you let the people person handle this?” Ebony gestured for him to try as he made his way into the room. The two were tied to their chairs and a wooden table sat in front of them. “That woman is insufferable.” He pulled out a dull knife and walked over to them, making them tense.
Saber bent down and cut their binds from their wrists. “Honestly that woman has no tact whatsoever.” He sighed as he set the blade on the table and took a seat from across from him. “Can I get you two anything to eat or drink?” They both shook their heads.
“Straight to business then?” Saber folded his hands and leaned forwards. “Listen, I don’t believe you two are to blame for this. If you tell me what I want to know then I can arrange preferential treatment.” They both remained silent. “Throw me a bone here Reginald.” The older man’s stoic face fell and he looked at the man.
Saber suppressed a grin and padded himself on the back for thinking of checking the crystal map. Apparently it worked on anyone who entered the castle, not just those who lived there. “You two are just wine merchants, I don’t want to lock you both up and if you tell me who hired you and why they instructed you to attack Princess Sparkle I might be able to persuade the captain to do just that.” The sellers looked at one another and Saber could see the younger of the two was starting to waver. “Have something to say Ron?”
The younger man opened his mouth but Reginald quickly kicked him in the shin. Ron clamped his mouth shut to smother a cry of pain.
“Quiet boy,” Saber furrowed his brows and focused on the older man. Reginald frowned at him. “we don’t talk.” Saber let out a sigh.
“I can tell you right now that it’s not looking good for you two. You were caught red handed attempting to poison a Princess and when that failed you drew you blade and assaulted a member of the royal guard and soldiers of the Changeling Imperium. You’re looking at a life sentence in prison at best.” Negotiations continued this way for over an hour and Saber’s patience was being tested. Eventually it did run out.
Saber stood and walked over to Reginald who looked ready for a fight. “Are you quite sure that you don’t have anything to say to me?” The wine seller only spat in his face. Saber calmly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the saliva off his face. He turned back to the door and raised both hands. “Let it not be said I didn’t try to do things the nice way.”
In a flash he whirled his right hand glowing a menacing white color as he gripped the side of Reginald’s head, his finger digging into his skin. The man cried out in pain as his fingers seemed to burn. Saber spoke in a commanding voice one might expect from god itself. “Show me what you know.” At this point, Ebony burst into the room with Twilight following close behind.
Ron backed up into a corner and was on the floor cowering with his arms over his head.
“What are you doing?” Ebony yelled.
“This is how you interrogate someone Captain.” He said as his fingers dug deeper into the man’s flesh. The prisoner’s eyes rolled back in his head as he continued to scream. Ebony and Twilight both had the same idea and they each latched on to one of his shoulders. “No!” But his warning was too late, as soon as they made contact with him Ebony felt as if someone had driven a hot blade into her skull.
Twilight opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out as countless images and sounds flooded into her mind. Saber was gritting his teeth as he started to feel his mind being split apart. With an excruciating effort, he used his free hand to knock the one attached to Reginald’s face away, severing the connection.
Ebony and Twilight fell back onto the cold stone floor and gripped their heads as the pain receded. Saber gripped Reginald by the shirt and looked into his eyes. He had a dazed expression on his face and Saber noticed that he was no longer breathing. He huffed in frustration as he looked back at the two women who had slowly gotten to their feet. He then turned on Ron who was still cowering in the corner.
“Here are your options; you either tell me everything you know or end up like your boss.” He said as he cracked his knuckles. The younger man looked at Saber and gulped.
“I didn’t know the barrel was poisoned I swear!” He pleaded in an accented voice.
“Likely story, I’m out of patience.” Saber said as he raised his glowing hand again.
“I swear!” Ebony walked up beside Saber and focused her eyes on the prisoner. “I only worked for that guy for six months and I needed this job, he said he’d have me deported if I said anything.” Saber creased his brow as he looked at Ron and placed his accent.
“You’re from Mistral?” Ron nodded quickly. “Where did you get the poison?” Ron frantically searched his memory for when his boss might have picked up the poison.
“After we stocked up at Canterlot, I remember we stopped for a traveler who waved us down. Wouldn’t be the first time we stopped on the road to make a sale. He was wearing a long dark brown coat and I saw they had a baldric of knives across their chest.” He ran his hand across his chest diagonally to indicate where they were strapped to.
“What did they look like? Anything descriptive?” Ron shook his head.
“He kept his hood up and hid his face.” He pulled his shirt up over his nose so the lower half of his face was hidden. “But I did hear a little bit of their conversation. He handed that asshole,” he pointed to Reginald’s unmoving form. “a small vial along with a huge sack of coins.”
“What did he say?” Ebony asked.
“I couldn’t hear the whole conversation, but I think it was along the lines of ‘make sure the Princess gets this.’ Then he poured the liquid in the vial into the wine barrel.” A long silence fell over the room. “That’s all I know I swear.” Saber rubbed his temples and groaned as his head continued to throb. He looked over to the captain and Princess before speaking.
“We will take what you said into consideration when we discuss your sentence,” He made his way towards the door. “which we will do in the captain’s quarters.”
“Agreed.” Ebony said with venom laced words as she followed him. Saber could feel their eyes locked onto his back. He didn’t say a word until they arrived in Ebony’s office and made sure they would not be disturbed. Maya perked her head up off Ebony’s bed and her tail started wagging as she saw her master and company. “What the hell was that?” Ebony said as she scratched the dog’s head.
“That is what happens when you interrupt me when I’m working.” He crossed his arms and furrowed his brows at the two women. He could feel Twilight’s purple gaze on him expecting a real explanation. “It’s a form of magic that allows me to go into someone’s mind and see what they know.”
“And kill them in the process?”
“That only happened because you two interfered, if you hadn’t then he would only have a bad headache. On top of that, now all my information is mixed up and it’s giving me a migraine.” He rubbed his temples as he focused on what he could recall from the interrogation. He was silent for several minutes as he sifted through the information and matched it with the young man’s story. “The kid’s story checks out, his employer got the potion from a man in a dark cloak and told him to give it to you. He hid the money he was given and the vial in a secret compartment in the cart under the seat.”
“However the poison itself is the interesting part.” Ebony raised an eyebrow at this. “It’s a tricky little potion, slow acting and doesn’t start to poison the drinker until hours later after it’s been digested. My guess is the plan was for you to drink it at dinner then come morning you’d be dead.” His tone was far too casual for Twilight’s liking.
“What about the knife?” Saber pulled the blade from the sheath and examined it. The blade was of an extremely fine make and it’s shape reminded Ebony of a slithering snake.
“A very fine blade,” Saber balanced it by handle on the side of his hand. “perfectly balanced, not too heavy or light.” He gave a few practice swings and stabbing motions in the air. “It has a good handle and it’s made of Griffonian steel.”
“Is that good metal?” The two looked to Twilight.
“It is metal of extremely high quality.” Ebony stated. “If you make a sword out of it, you could use it a hundred times over and never need to care for it. It’s the metal of choice for officers.” She gestured to her own sword.
“It’s also very expensive. I seriously doubt that wine merchant could’ve bought this. That’s not the interesting part though.” Twilight waited patiently for him to continue. “Someone has obviously done their homework on you Twilight.”
He laid the blade in his hand and pointed to it’s spine and hand guard. Twilight and Ebony both looked down to see small letters carved into the metal.
“Runes?” Twilight knew that runes were used when it came to enchanting objects like weapons and armor. Some were even used for security in homes.
“This is a mage blade, a tool specifically designed to cut through a mage’s defensive wards.” He looked around the room and took one of Ebony’s candle holders and set it on her desk. He told Twilight to make a shield around the candle and a flickering purple shield formed around the candle. Saber pulled out a normal looking dagger and held the handle out to Ebony.
“Captain would you kindly try to cut that candle?” Ebony took the dagger and made three strikes against the candle. Each time the shield sparked and the blade either stopped completely or bounced away from the candle. He handed Ebony the other dagger and she gave it one hard swing. The blade cut through the shield and candle as if they were nothing more than wet parchment.
Twilight’s jaw fell open as she looked at the dagger and the destroyed candle. “How thick did you make the barrier?”
“That could have withstood a claw attack from an Ursa Minor.” She answered as the full realization of how close she came to disaster sank in. Saber took the dagger back and opened his shirt to show a few bloodied bandages.
“It’s also enchanted to prevent healing spells from sealing the wound.” He buttoned his shirt back up and took out the blade. “The blades shape, the method used for forging it and the poison used in the wine all come from the Changeling Imperium.” A brick of anxiety formed in Twilight’s stomach.
“Do you believe it was the Prince?”
“All the evidence points to it.” Ebony said crossing her arms.
“I doubt they’d put so little effort into covering their tracks and what would be the reason for killing you?” He looked at Twilight who shrugged. The three were silent for a long minute as they each contemplated why Ramil would order such a thing.
“Do you think he’s working for Chrysalis?”
“It’s a possibility, but I doubt it. She did usurp his throne, so I doubt that he’s a supporter.”
“What about his two guards?” Saber pondered this for a brief moment.
“Malik doesn’t seem to be the type to try something like this, he’s not that clever. Petra on the other hand,” He rubbed his chin as he thought of the changeling woman. “she’s definitely crafty and is the more dangerous of the two.” Ebony raised her eyebrow as she compared the mass of muscle that was Malik and the smaller woman who barely came up to her chin. “Regardless, I’ll get my crows to keep an eye on them.”
“Crows?” Twilight asked.
“The four guards I have under my command. I decided to give them a name.”
“You never told me who you picked.” Ebony frowned.
“You never said I had to, besides they’re working for me and if you know who they are then I’m sure you’d start getting ideas in that pretty little head of yours.” She frowned at his words. “Anyway, let’s get back on track shall we? I suggest we confiscate the wine cart and track down any other person who may have bought wine from him just to be safe.” Twilight nodded in agreement. “What should we do with the prisoner?”
“I say we bring him to Canterlot and lock him up.” Ebony suggested in a firm tone.
“He said he didn’t know about the plan.” Twilight countered.
“He’s an accomplice, an unwilling accomplice, but an accomplice all the same. He also tried to run from the scene.”
“He was scared. Who can blame him?”
“Scared of getting caught most likely.” Twilight looked from Ebony to Saber for support. The assassin rubbed his chin and bit his lip before giving her an answer.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree with the Captain.” Ebony’s head tilted to the side as she looked at the assassin. Twilight was looking at him in surprise as well. Since the two have met, Twilight had not seen Ebony and Saber agree on anything and yet here they were. “He may know more than he’s letting on and I’d like to interrogate him properly.”
“You are not doing that mind melding thing on him.” The Princess’ tone was firm and unyielding.
“My head is still throbbing and it requires a lot of focus, so I can’t use it if I wanted to.” He rubbed his head again. “Speaking of which, why was it so easy for me to get into your head?” Twilight looked surprise by the sudden change in conversation. “You are trained in psychic defense are you not?”
Her silence was answer enough. “Oh my god, I might as well be guarding a five year old. How is it you are untrained in psychic defense?” Ebony raised an eyebrow as she looked at Twilight who just looked confused. Saber rubbed his temples.
“I’ll have to add it to the list. For now we chart the kid off to Canterlot and confiscate his wine, also we need to find out if anyone else bought form him and test it.” Ebony nodded.
“I am not going to imprison an innocent person.” Twilight took in a deep breath and turned to face them both. “Captain, I order you to release him.” Ebony’s dark brows rose at the unfamiliar tone in her voice.
“Twilight, I really must,”
“I gave you an order Captain. Follow it.” Ebony’s mouth formed a thin line and let out a huff of frustration.
“As you command Princess.” Ebony saluted and headed off to the dungeons to release the prisoner. Twilight focused her gaze on Saber. The assassin merely shrugged before he started making his way towards the door.
“Thank you.” He stopped and turned towards her.
“For what?” Twilight walked up to him and stood eye to eye with him. Even in her boots that gave her a good three inches of height the top of her head only came up to his eye brows.
“For taking that hit that was meant for me.” She gave him a nod. “You saved me.”
“I was saving myself. You die and I die, remember?” He stated firmly. “You might as well be a lamb fit for the slaughter. I mean really, how is it you never came across anything relating to psychic defense in all those books you read?” She furrowed her brow at the words.
“Half the court in Canterlot is skilled in it and they will use it to get any kind of information from one another.” Twilight only rolled her eyes at his words. She took a step to leave when suddenly she felt as if someone had just poked their finger through her skull and into her brain.
She tired to move her legs but they wouldn’t obey her commands. She slowly turned her head towards Saber who appeared to be in a state of firm concentration.
“Let me go.” Twilight said in a dangerous tone.
“Make me.” He said firmly. “Force me out, if you can.” His tone had a condescending tone in it. Twilight rallied herself and focused on the spot where the probe was. She retaliated and she felt the grip loosen then tighten again. Twilight saw Saber shrink back from her counter and pressed the advance. The grip retreated and she breathed a sigh of relief as the probe faded.
Saber caught his breath and steadied himself on his knees. “You learn fast Sparkle, not bad for a novice.” Twilight saw a bit of red on his face and saw that some blood was trickling from his nose. “From now on I’m going to invade your mind at random. Your job is to keep me at bay.”
“And how am I supposed to do that?” Saber gave her a simple shrug.
“Figure it out. You're supposed to be one of Equestria's greatest minds.” He stalked out of the captain’s office and headed down to where the prisoner was being held.
Ebony stalked her way down to the dungeons to where the prisoner was being held. She was more than a little surprised to see Saber already waiting for her outside the holding room.
“How did you get down here?”
“I have my ways.” He shrugged his shoulders before he opened the door. The body of the other man was still there and Ron was still quivering in the corner. “Today is your lucky day kid.” Ron stared at the two.
“Princess Sparkle has decided to release you. Tonight you will be escorted out of the castle and taken to a few miles outside of town.” Ebony said as she walked over and unshackled him. Saber walked up to him and sighed.
“I hope you will not forget the kindness the good Princess has shown you this day.” Saber leaned in closer to the man. “If I ever see you in this town again, then I will kill you. Understand?” He nodded. “No, I want to hear you say it.”
“I understand.”
“Good,” With that he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room. He instructed his four guards to bag his head and take him to the edge of town at midnight, which they obliged. As he made his way through the halls he could make out the faint sounds of a bow against strings. He followed the noise to the room Ramil was using. The door was cracked open and he could hear the violin playing a pleasant tune.
Saber raised his hand to knock, but the door was pulled open by Petra. “Afternoon,” The music came to a halt. Saber saw the violin and bow in the Prince’s hands. “I hope you all are feeling better despite this morning’s mishap.”
“Terrible business. Are you well?” Saber nodded and absentmindedly ran a hand over where the blade had sliced his skin.
“The perpetrators have been dealt with accordingly.” Ramil nodded. The Prince was surprisingly calm in his words, even his body language didn’t seem to be showing any anxiety. “You’re taking it rather well.”
“It was not the first attempt on my life and it certainly won’t be the last.” Ramil shrugged as he set the violin down.
“I didn’t know you played.” Ramil sucked on a tooth and shook his head.
“Unfortunately I’m not very good.”
“Not yet, you just need someone to teach you the ropes.” The Prince gave him a smile hat showed all of his white teeth.
“Are you that someone?” Saber gave him a shrug.
“I know my way around music.”
“We’ll have to play together some time.” Saber gave him a grandiose bow.
“It would be an honor your majesty.” With that, Saber left the trio and proceeded down the hall. Ramil gave Petra a knowing look and she nodded before she vanished from sight and the door closed.
Later that evening, the other five elements of harmony joined Twilight for dinner and expressed their worry and relief that she was unhurt. They had some idle conversation and a few other things that Saber didn’t really care about or pay attention to. They soon departed for their own abodes and turned in for the night.
Twilight was alone in her room mulling over the day’s events. Mostly on the wine merchant’s attempt to slash her and how quickly Saber moved. She shook the thought aside and remembered that it was literally a matter of life and death. A knock startled her from her thoughts. “May I come in?” Twilight walked over to the bookcase and slid it open to reveal the assassin.
She gestured him inside and he stepped past her. “How are you holding up? I imagine it’s been a harrowing experience.” She nodded slowly and took a moment before answering.
“I think I’m just surprised.” She rubbed her hands together nervously. “I just didn’t imagine anyone would hate me enough to want me dead.”
“So long as there are those in power, there will be those with less or no power at all, and hate them for it.”
“But I haven’t done anything to deserve it.” She countered. “I’ve done nothing but protect Equestria from threats that would see it ruined.”
“True, you and your friends have accomplished a lot in the past few years.” He remembered hearing about the elements of Harmony while he was in Purgatory. “So despite defeating a crazy Princess of the night, The spirit of chaos, a spirit of a dead king and to top it off, a demon from the depths of Tartarus, Celestia still dragged me out to protect you.”
“Are you complaining?”
“No,” He said firmly. “just making an observation.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows what goes on in that immortal mind of hers.” Saber scratched his chin and let out a huff of air.
Twilight bit her lip as a question she’d been churning over in her mind rose up again. “No sense worrying about it I suppose. Anyway goodnight.” He turned back to the passageway leading back to his room. Twilight stood up and looked directly at him.
“I want you to train me.” Saber stopped just as he was getting in the tunnel and turned to face the princess. “I realized that I need to learn how to defend myself against people who can circumvent my magic.” Saber looked her up and down, then once more. The gaze made things in her stomach flutter.
“We’ll talk about it in the morning.” He walked down the passageway and the bookcase slid shut behind him. Twilight got into her bed and let sleep take her wholly.
Darkness. Darkness and pain was all that filled Twilight’s person. She opened her eyes and saw a blurred figure running up a stone path that lead to a large house with a front gate that read ‘Fallen Star Orphanage.’ The figure was calling out the same five names, over and over again. She followed him with haste.
As he got the front steps the house was set ablaze by some unseen source. Flames licked at the windows that soon cracked then shattered. The broken glass in the firelight reminded Twilight of candles lit in dark rooms. The figure continued calling out the same names as he barged through the burning door and ran upstairs. The entire house had been trashed before it was lit. There was a body of a man who had three arrows in his chest and his throat had been slit.
His blood had already started to pool and bubble from the inferno that was consuming the house. The man jumped from the hallway down to the landing, narrowly avoiding a falling chandelier. A crack of thunder drew his attention and he looked to the open back door that was ajar and swinging like a broken limb in the wind of the sudden storm. The man scrambled to his feet and bolted out just as a beam came down from where he once lay. As he came out he took a moment to allow some fresh air in his lungs and the rain wash the dirt and ash from his hair.
When he turned, everything stopped. He looked as if he’d forgotten the house burning behind him and the corpse that was now most definitely burning along with it. What he saw before him was a large tree with brown bark that stood fifty feet high and it’s branches were thicker than Twilight’s torso. The tree was not what had his attention, it was the four bodies hanging from it.
Two of the bodies were smaller, they couldn’t have been more than nine years old. The one on the far right looked older, possibly in their mid forties. The last was a woman in her mid twenties. Twilight imagined that she must have been beautiful once, before the bruises, gashes and burns that now decorated her body like some twisted sort of art.
Twilight felt he knees give out and felt the wet ground beneath her knees and hands. She couldn’t hear anything and her ears were hurting so bad she thought her eardrums would rupture. She soon realized it was because the man next to her were screaming. A stray bolt of lighting from the storm struck the tree and it toppled over. The bodied flew from the ropes around their necks and landed on the grass like rag dolls, smearing the wet grass with their blood.
As they knelt, Twilight could see that the ash, mud and dirt that coated the man’s hair was beginning to wash away by the rain. In the light of another lightning bolt that struck the burning house, she could see that the man’s hair was a pristine white. The man crawled on his hands and knees towards the corpses. Their lifeless eyes looking up at the raining sky. He rested the woman’s head on his folded knees and ran a muddy hand through her messy dark brown hair.
He bent over and started whispering things Twilight could not make out over the torrential downpour. He slid his hand over her eyes and closed them. He knelt there until morning came, it was hard to tell since the storm was still raging. By now the fire had been doused, but the house was now in ruins. The white haired man finally stirred.
Saber then reached into her shirt and pulled a familiar pendant on a silver chain before he gently laid the woman’s head down and started gathering the other bodies. He laid them down beside one another and started gathering wood from the nearby trees and the burnt wood from the house. He piled the wood up and around each of the bodies that now each had coins on their closed eyes. The white haired man ignored them and lit the wood one by one.
He spoke in a tongue that was foreign to Twilight’s ears. Once the fires had gone out. The white haired man walked back to the remains of the burnt house and started removing rubble. The four cloaked figures moved and started to move the debris aside. Saber stopped as he found a concrete slab.
The slab was smooth safe for an indentation in the shape of a metal sword with wings coming from the hilt. He set the pendant in the indent, the emerald shining darkly. He twisted it counter clockwise once then a half turn. The slab slid inwards and then to the right to reveal a set of stone steps leading down. The stone steps led to a small room with a single chest sitting in the center.
He opened the chest and removed a dark brown cloak, set of armor and knives. He then pulled out an all too familiar looking blade. Caelena’s edge shined as he stepped out of the room. By now nothing but ash remained of the four pyres. There was something in Saber’s eyes that shook Twilight to her core.
Not a threat, but a promise, a promise that nothing would be forgotten.
At that moment Twilight’s eyes shot open and woke up to find that she was covered in a cold sweat that had soaked her nightgown and sheets. She could feel her body shaking and rushed to her bathroom to vomit. She wiped her mouth clean of the bile and slowly stood back up. The images of the four hanging bodies was branded into her mind.
The Princess changed her sheets with a wave of her hand before climbing back into her bed, but sleep would not come to her that night. She had gotten what she wanted, she had peeked beyond the veil that Saber had so expertly woven to cover the horrors in his life. She had looked into the dark below, and she felt that the darkness had looked into her.
Ebony made her way down to the cafeteria, dark circles under her eyes and not at all feeling rested thanks to the odd dreams that had flooded her mind. Dreams that had much to do with Saber. Most of them were fragments that made almost no sense. There were also images of a pretty woman with dark brown hair. She looked ahead and saw Twilight staring vacantly out one of the large windows that looked out to the courtyard.
Her gaze seemed to be fixated on a far off tree. Ebony called out to her, but she didn’t respond. She walked closer until she was right next to the Princess. “Twilight?” Not until she put a hand on her shoulder did the Princess respond.
She visibly jumped and spun, she calmed herself when she saw it was Ebony. “No offense, but you look terrible Twilight.” Twilight turned and looked at herself in the reflection of the glass window, she saw the bags under her eyes and the paleness of her skin.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She felt sick as the images of the night’s events played through her mind. She shivered again. “I had dreams, or something having to do with Saber.” Ebony’s dark brows raised.
“I also saw images of him along with a brown haired woman.” Twilight’s face blanched.
“I heard my name?” Twilight jumped again as the familiar voice rang out. She turned to see the white haired man. A deep pang of sadness sounded in her as she looked at the man. “Twilight you look dreadful.”
“Trouble sleeping.” Ebony answered for her. He pondered the words for a moment.
“I believe I may know the cause of that.” He gestured them into a nearby empty room before he spoke again. “When you two foolishly interrupted my interrogation yesterday it created a temporary link between our minds. When you let go, it was severed, but not before a few things got through.”
“What kind of things?” Twilight asked.
“Dreams, thought process, maybe a habit or two. You’ll know if you get anything from me if you have the urge to learn the lute, or if you develop a hatred for wicker furniture.” His mouth formed a thin line. “Woven straw glued together is not meant to be sat on.” A question forced it’s way to Twilight’s lips.
“What about memories?” Saber raised an eyebrow and looked at the two women curiously. His head slowly tilted to one side and narrowed his eyes. Twilight felt as if an invisible claw was poking at her brain.
“I suppose it’s possible.” Twilight imagined a wall in an attempt to force the claw out. It scratched a long line against the surface. Twilight forced her concentration on the point and managed to push the claw away. A small smile appeared on Saber’s face and nodded in approval at her attempt to guard against his mind’s onslaught. “Anyway, about what we talked about last night, let’s see what you’ve got.”
Ebony raised a groomed eyebrow and looked to Twilight.
“I asked Saber to instruct me on self defense.” Ebony looked a little affronted at why she had not asked her. Her gaze shifted to Saber who gave her a nonchalant shrug.
“She made the right call. Now, hold your arms out.” Twilight did so as he walked up and started to poke and prod her sides, arms legs and chest making her flinch and blush at some points. “Not much fat, but not a lot of muscle either.” He said as if he were assessing a slab of meat he was thinking on purchasing. “Captain could you come over here and take off your shirt?”
Now it was Ebony’s time to go red in the face. “Just so we can see your stomach.” She huffed and rolled up her shirt just below her breasts, blushing all the while. Saber pointed to Ebony’s lean stomach that had a firm wall of muscle. He gave it a gentle tap with his hand and it bounced off. “See, that comes from years of hard work, pain, determination and hard work.”
“You said hard work twice.”
“That’s because it takes twice as much hard work as the other two.” He commented with a smile. “Now we don’t have the kind of time to get you to that level, but there might be a way to speed up the process.” Before he could voice his method, he held up a hand. “Someone is coming.” They all turned to look at the door just as a soldier arrived.
“Beg your pardon ma’am, your majesty.” The guard gave them a waist high bow. “There’s a visitor waiting for you in the foyer.”
“We are quite busy.” Ebony stated firmly. “Who is it?”
“Prince Shining Armor,” Twilight’s face lit up with excitement while Saber’s lips formed a thin line.
“We’ll discuss this later.” He said before heading into the hall. Twilight and Ebony quickly made their way to the foyer where a tall man with shoulder length blue hair stood, arms crossed behind his back. He was in dress uniform with a few ribbons pinned on the front near a bright red sash that ran from his left shoulder to his right hip.
“Shining!” He turned hearing his name and smiled as he saw Twilight. He gave her a hug big enough to lifter up off her feet. “Put me down.” She said while laughing. He did so and she steadied herself. “It’s good to see you, but what are you doing here?”
“Can’t an older brother drop in and see how his little sister is doing?” She furrowed her brow in mock anger. “Celestia heard about the merchant business and I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Twilight smiled at the concern in his eyes.
“I’m okay, they didn’t even touch me.” Shining seemed a little relived at this statement and looked to Ebony.
“My thanks Captain.” Ebony gave him a respectful nod.
“It was my duty sir.” He chuckled.
“No need for formalities Ebony. We’re all friends here.” He smiled.
“Speak for yourselves.” Shining’s head turned towards Saber who was leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed. The Prince’s expression went stern as he saw the white haired man.
“Enjoying your freedom then?” Saber shrugged.
“Not so bad when you get used to an actual bed and food that’s not rotten.” His tone was flat. The two men eyed each other up as the tension rose.
“Well, you can thank me at anytime.”
“For?”
“Getting you out of that hell hole.” Saber raised an eyebrow at his words. He wondered how Celestia had found him, he didn’t think it was Shining.
“Let’s have this conversation elsewhere.” Twilight said as she ushered them all into a side room. She closed the door behind them and hoped a fight was not about to break out between them.
“If what you say is true, then why did you bother getting me out?” Shinning shrugged.
“We needed someone who was familiar with underhanded tactics and not afraid to spill some blood.”
“Do my ears deceive me? That almost sounded like a compliment.” Shinning narrowed his eyes.
“I pay my debts.” Saber raised an eyebrow as he looked at Shining. “I know it was you that night all those years ago.”
“Shining what are you talking about?” Twilight asked as she looked between them. Her violet eyes starting to narrow on the assassin.
“He saved my life.” A long silence sprouted between the four of them. Twilights eyes shifted to Saber, to Shining then back again. Ebony’s golden eyes were wide as dinner plates and was equally stunned. Saber uncrossed his arms and broke the silence.
“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.” Saber said plainly.
“Deny it all you want, but I know it was you who saved my life that night.” Saber only rolled his eyes at the words. “You saved my life, I saved yours, I’d say that makes us even.”
“Continue with your fantasies, but I won’t listen to them.” He said as he turned to leave.
“Stop.” Twilight said in a commanding tone. “I want to hear about what happened between you two.” Saber turned and leaned against the wall before gesturing towards the Prince.
“Fine, I’ll humor you.” Shining cleared his throat and looked at Ebony.
“Could you give us the room?”
“Anything you can say to me, you can say in front of her.” Twilight stated firmly. Shinning let out a sigh.
“You understand that what I tell you cannot leave this room?” Ebony nodded firmly. “I was not the only candidate for the Captain of the Royal Guard. There were two others; Ivory Ventus and Victor Green.”
“The White Witch?” Ebony commented. Saber had heard of the General stationed to the West. A foreigner had rose through the ranks and became a powerful battle mage coupled with a genius mind for strategy. She’d wiped out countless bandit camps and hunted down several renegades during her career.
“Yes, Ivory declined the position. She said it’d be too boring for her, but she was still a candidate and Green, though brilliant in his own right had a lot of schemes going on behind the scenes and was only considered for the position because of his connections in the court.” He scratched his head as he continued. “One night I was in my quarters and there was someone there waiting for me.” Twilight took in a sharp breath. “The masked man drugged me with a poison that paralyzed me and negated my magic. Just when he was going in for the kill, another man burst through the window and a fight ensued between them.” He stated as he set his jaw.
“Did you get a good look at them?” Ebony asked.
“I couldn’t see their faces, they wore masks.” He gestured to the whole of his face. “As my feeling started to come back, the one who ambushed me was killed with a sword through his gut. Before I could stop him, my ‘savior’ fled with the man’s body. Evidence was found the next morning that Green had hired assassins to kill Ivory and I.”
“What about Ventus?” Twilight asked.
“She hadn’t seen anyone that night, but was awake and well when we checked on her.” The three then turned their attention to Saber who seemed as stoic as ever.
“Once again, I have no idea what you’re talking about. There’s more than just one assassin in the world. Furthermore you said both of them were wearing masks.” His tone was smooth as marble and just as firm.
“True, but I saw the person’s white hair,” Saber rolled his eyes again. “and their sword.” He narrowed his eyes on the Prince. “Haven’t seen a sword like that since.” Saber shrugged again.
“Am I supposed to be impressed or shocked? Because I still have no idea what you’re talking about.” He shrugged in annoyance. “But for the sake of your own indulgence, let me paint you a picture to go along with this crack pot theory.” He took a moment to cleared his throat.
“Let us say that a certain assassin caught wind that one of his colleagues had taken a job without his betters’ permission. This was not the first time this had happened and if he succeeded it would bring all kinds of unpleasant attention to the betters. So they sent someone in to stop and deal with their disloyalty, someone who the fool knew, someone who would have no problem taking down one of his own.” He gave them all a dark grin and Twilight felt a shiver run down her spine. “As I said, it’s only a theory.”
He rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms before turning to Twilight. “Let me know when you’re done with your brother. We still need to talk.” With that, he walked out of the room and down the hall towards the room where his piano was. Once he was inside he locked the door before sitting down at the bench.
He started playing a few simple songs and melodies before stopping abruptly. “I bet you’re wondering if I know you’re here. I do, so why don’t you come out so we can talk? I look quite mad talking to an empty room.” There was a shimmer in the far corner of the room and Malik stepped into the light.
“Good day,” Saber said in Malik’s language. “can I help you with anything?” The larger changeling guard simply crossed his arms and glared at him. Saber slowly rose to his feet and cracked his neck. “Okay, how do you want to do this?”
Twilight spent most of the day talking with Shining as Ebony went around and performed her duties with Maya by her side. As the sun started to tuck behind the mountains and the sky turned orange, Shining made his farewell and caught a train back to Canterlot. Twilight made her way to Saber’s room and quietly knocked on the door.
“It’s open.” Twilight opened the door and saw the assassin at his desk with the odd object Ramil had given him. Much of it was broken down into smaller components. Twilight saw a small bruise on his cheek and there was a stiffness about him. “Have a nice chat with your brother?”
“What happened to your face?” He paused in his work at the question.
“Just ran into a tool.” He said calmly as he turned in his seat to look at her.
“You said you needed to talk to me about something?”
“Yes,” He stood and winced slightly as he rolled a shoulder. “you are severally out of shape and it would take months of training before you can properly defend yourself with your own two hands.” She furrowed her brows at these words. He stopped as the door opened to reveal the dark haired captain. “Right on time Captain, I was just about to explain my idea and it heavily involves you.”
“What hair brained scheme are you plotting?” She asked as she folded her arms under her chest. He grinned wolfishly at the two.
“As I was just about to explain, we need to properly train Twilight in self defense, but we don’t have the proper time to do so. Luckily I know a way to help speed up the process, but it is risky and will take a great deal of trust on all our parts.” Saber saw them both raise their brows at this. Ebony looked farm more suspicious than Twilight, but that was hardly anything new. “As you’re both aware I can go into another’s mind for a short period of time and extract information from them. I can also do this in reverse.”
“You can plant information into someone else’s mind?” He nodded as he turned his attention to Twilight.
“My idea is that I join our minds together for a short time and I implant my skills directly into your brain.” Twilight’s face went slightly pale at the words. “Think of it like copying down information from book onto parchment only a little more intimate.”
“That is insane.” Twilight protested. “My head is still hurting from that stunt you pulled yesterday.”
“As I’ve explained that was your fault, this will be different. We will have a secure connection and this is a common way to train in some areas of the world, primarily the Changeling Imperium.” Twilight blinked in surprise at the words. “It’s how they pass down secrets and other kinds of information from generation to generation. Ask the Prince about it, I’m sure he can tell you more.”
“How would this even work? We wouldn’t be training my body.”
“That’s where the good Captain comes in.” He looked to Ebony. “While I am teaching you the skills, Ebony will be training your body so that you can use these skills. I would do it myself, but this thing,” He gestured to his neck where the marks were. “prevents me from harming you.”
“Is pain necessary?” He gave her a frank look.
“Pain is the greatest teacher.”
“I will not harm my charge.” Ebony stated firmly.
“I’m not saying you beat her to a bloody pulp, but no one would raise a brow if you started giving Twilight private lessons. You are her guard while I am just a quill pushing advisor.” Twilight could certainly see the benefits but she didn’t feel it was safe. An idea slowly started to take root in her head and fought to keep her expression neutral.
“You’ve done this before?” Ebony and Saber looked to her in surprise.
“Yes, and it was a success.” He stated proudly. “I can transplant years worth of information within a matter of days. I suggest we do a little test first and if you don’t like it, then we can explore other options.” Twilight was silent for a long moment as she contemplated her words. For her idea to work she’d need his trust and access to his mind.
“Fine, we’ll try it.” Ebony’s jaw dropped and looked between them. Saber pulled up two chairs and set them in front of one another before taking a seat and gestured for her to sit. Twilight did so and waited for instruction. He held out his hands for her to take. She clasped them in hers and could feel the calloused skin against her smooth palms.
“This will feel a little weird, but bear with it.” Twilight braced herself as he closed his eyes and focused. She felt a throbbing in her mind as something pressed against her mind. It felt as if someone was prodding her forehead with a finger. The pressure increased and felt something break through.
Twilight gasped and opened her eyes to see a white void that seemed to have no end or beginning. Her feet touched what she assumed was the floor. It was cool like marble and was hard against her skin. As she looked down she realized that she was naked. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, your hips aren’t nearly as small as you imagine.”
She whirled and saw Saber standing dressed in the simple tunic he was wearing in the real world. Her face flushed bright red and she brought her chest to her knees to better cover herself.
“What is this place, where are we and why am I naked?” She shot a dark and embarrassed look at the assassin who stood there with an amused look on his face.
“I’ll answer those in order.” He said as he sat in a chair that appeared out of thin air. “This,” He gestured around them with both hands extended. “is my mindscape. Although I guess it is our mindscape. It is the meeting point between our minds, a blank canvas that we can use to paint the scene as we see fit. As for your lack of clothes, what you look like in here is entirely up to you and while fighting naked is sure to distract some people, it won’t work on me.” He gestured to his clothing and it changed to worn leather armor.
Twilight took a moment to concentrate on what she needed and she felt fabric form around her body. She looked down to see she was wearing a lavender tunic and dark brown pants. The Princess breathed a sigh of relief and stood to look around. The white void changed to a wooden interior matching a warehouse decorated with different training equipment. Balance beams were prevalent, ropes hung from the rafters and a circular depression covered in sand was in the center of it all.
“This place will do.” He said as he stepped into the pit and gestured for her to follow. Twilight stepped into the pit and felt the sand shift under her weight. She looked across the way and saw a wooden rack holding a full assortment of weapons and wondered which he would teach her first. “We won’t be needing those.”
With a snap of his fingers the rack and weapons evaporated before her eyes. She turned back to face him and saw he had shed the leather armor and his hands were wrapped. “We’re going to focus on hand to hand combat at first.” He raised both his fists and Twilight mimicked his stance.
“So what do I-” Her question was cut off as a fist slammed into her face. She crumpled at the blow and felt blood start running from her nose.
“Dodging.” He said as she got on her hands and knees. She noticed that the seal around his neck was dormant. “Remember, all of this is happening in our heads. You’ll feel the pain, but your body won’t take any damage.” Twilight frowned at him as she stood back up.
“Why did you do that?” Saber tilted his head and looked at her as if she just asked a particularly stupid question.
“The purpose of this is for you to learn how to fight. Only a fool warns their opponent that they're going to attack.” He rushed in again and kicked her in the ribs knocking her out of the ring. Twilight groaned as she felt her bruised ribs. This was going to be a very long training session.
They continued to spar for what felt like hours, possibly days on end. Ducking and blocking blows, Twilight couldn't even land a single hit on the assassin. He danced around her as if he were at a party. Eventually, Twilight learned how to dodge and block some simple attacks, she even managed to break some of his holds. “Not bad for a novice and you learn quickly.” Twilight felt a smile tug at the corners of her lips at the compliment. He crossed his arms and looked around as if he were looking for something.
“I think we’ll call it for today, but there is one thing I wanted to show you.” Twilight suddenly felt something slam into her chest. She looked down to see his sword sticking out from her chest. Twilight felt the ground fall out from her feet as she tipped back. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the world beginning to crumble around her and fell into darkness.
Her eyes flew open and gasped as she fell out of the chair she had been sitting in. She heard Ebony call out as her blade shot out of it’s sheath and was pressed against Saber’s throat. The assassin opened his eyes and looked down at the dark blade as if it were a piece of lint on his shirt. “Before you decide to take off my head, might I suggest inspecting the Princess.” Ebony turned and saw Twilight standing up, steadying herself on the chair.
“I’m okay.” She shook her head and regained her balance.
“Now that that’s cleared up,” He said as he turned to look at Ebony. “would you kindly remove your blade from my throat?” She huffed and sheathed her blade before going over to inspect Twilight. The Princess looked unhurt, aside from a slightly bloody nose. Twilight looked around and saw it didn’t look much darker outside.
“How long were we like that?”
“You two have been sitting like that for an hour.” Twilight was beside herself. There was no way that only an hour had passed since they had started. “Did it work?”
“I think so.” Twilight said as she rubbed her head. Saber stood up and cracked his back once.
“Well, I’ve done my part. Now captain, it’s up to you to get her in shape.” Ebony looked between the two of them in question. “Feel free to give her a test run.” He gestured towards Twilight to begin.
“I am not going to punch a Princess.” Ebony stated as she looked at Twilight in question.
“I will be alright captain, or do I have to order you to hit me.” Twilight gave Ebony a playful smile as she raised both fists. Ebony set her sword to the side as Saber took a seat to watch the event unfold. Ebony shook her hands out then closed them into fists. She obviously didn’t want to hurt Twilight, so she only jabbed at the Princess’s midsection.
Twilight batted the blow away deftly with her forearm. Ebony shot another jab out and the result was similar. Ebony continued to strike, even throwing a kick or two in and none of them managed to land a blow. Twilight could feel herself getting into the grove of combat. It wasn’t long before she started to throw a few punches Ebony’s way.
The captain evaded them with ease and continued to lightly attack the Princess without success.
“Quit pulling your punches captain.” Saber called out sternly. Ebony ignored him, but Twilight’s brow furrowed slightly at the words. She continued her managed to get by her defenses and her fist hit Ebony’s cheek. The captain took a single step back from the hit and Twilight immediately dropped her raised fists.
“I’m sorry!” She said quickly. “I figured you’d be able to block it.” Ebony raised a hand and rubbed the spot.
“I am okay Princess.” Ebony said with a small smile. “I have taken a lot more hits than that.” Twilight felt relived at the words. Saber stood expectantly as he looked at Ebony.
“Very good. Between the two of us, you might just become capable of winning a fist fight.” Twilight gave him a mocking laugh. “We’ll continue our lessons later, we all have business to attend to.” He left the room with a wave over his shoulder.
Once he was gone, Ebony turned to Twilight and asked her questions about what happened during the hour. Twilight explained the mindscape to Ebony and how it worked.
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea to be inside a trained killer’s mind.” Ebony said cautiously. “Who knows what horrors might be in there.” Twilight swallowed once before speaking again.
“I think I have a good idea.” Twilight then told her about the memory she had seen the night before and while the captain did not weep, Twilight saw her swallow down whatever emotions Twilight’s tale turned over. “Who knows how much he’s been through.” She said trying to keep her voice from quivering. “I think I can help him.”
Ebony shook her head slightly. “If I can get through to him, I believe I can.” She looked to Ebony who still had a skeptical look on her face. “What?”
“With all due respect Princess, there are some people you can’t help.” Twilight frowned at her words.
“If I gave up on helping people then I would not be here.”
“Some people are just incapable of changing no matter who or what tries to help or change them.” She said sternly. “I am sure Saber can tell countless stories about his troubled past and how hard his life has been, but the fact remains that he is a killer for hire. There’s no excuse for the lives he has taken.”
“We don’t know the circumstances.”
“Would they justify murder?” Twilight fell silent. Ebony sighed and rubbed her eyes. “I need to see to my soldiers.” She gave Twilight a bow before leaving. “Good day, your majesty.” Twilight did not respond before leaving the room.
