> A Game of Pawns and Kings
>  by Explosions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

           The night was dark. Usually I had the soft glow of a lantern, and the light of the moon to aid me in seeing. The tree canopy blinded the moonlight, and I had no lantern. After what I’d been used to seeing every night… I welcomed the lack of vision. It provided me with a blissful ignorance. An ignorance that I wish I had during the nightly patrols. Seeing the battlefields covered in bodies and gore gives a man a whole new meaning to reality. There were corpses upon corpses. They were so bloody and mutilated, you couldn’t tell if they were previously your ally, or if they died trying to kill you.

      The only thing that made those nights bearable for so long was the time I spent dreaming. Dreaming of home. Dreaming of peace. It kept me sane, or at least, as sane as I can be. 

       It was a normal night patrol. Uneventful and unpleasant. The cold air bit at my cheeks through my helm. Mud stuck to my boots, and wind made the forest howl. We were surrounded by the dead, again. I did my best to ignore the bodies and screams, as did the rest of the men. As we walked, they continued through their usual banter. This time I decided to listen in, instead of ignoring them.

       “Y’know, when I get home, there ain’t nothin that can stop me from drinking the tavern dry,” said Himmel. He usually snuck some sort of alcoholic drink into camp. Where he got it, no one knew, but no one cared. We could all use some ale.

      “Heh, when I get home I think I might just settle down.” Roilles was big and soft. He couldn’t handle fighting. That was the only reason he was on these patrols. No enemy would reach us. Not when there was a watch camp less than two miles away.

       “Sure, Roilles, as if there’s any settling down after this. You’ll prolly drink yourself to death with Himmel,” quipped another member of our party. I couldn’t tell whose voice it was. Probably one of the replacements for the men who were recently shuffled out of our team.

        Malden piped up at that, always defending Roilles. “Shut your gob, Ramsey, let the man have some hope. ‘Sides, we all know that you’ll end up wanting the same thing as him. ‘Specially because you can’t hold a drink as much as Himmel here can throw a jav.”

        We all chuckled. “That was ONE time! And I fuckin’ tripped!” And yet that javelin ended up behind him. I drowned out the rest of the conversation with my own thoughts.

        What would I do if I were allowed to leave? I don’t even know. Travel maybe. I’d love to see what the world has to offer beyond the reach of Marlheim. Hopefully it would be better than here.

I might sail for the Merric States. I heard that the lands there are beautiful, and the relics from the past are plentiful.

         Maybe I’d travel east, towards the Hincha Lands, along the old Silk Road. Perhaps I’d even buy myself some silk clothing, something nice and soft. I think my poor body deserves it after spending so long underneath my armor. I could imagine it now, such fine luxurious clothing, with reds and oranges. It would be softer than a sheep’s wool and-

         My thinking time was cut short as someone smacked the back of my helm. “Oi! Anyone in there?” It was Himmel.

         “What the hell, man? What do you want?” I asked, outraged. Getting smacked in the helm is far from pleasant.

         “We asked you what you want to do when this is over. E’ryone else shared, so it's your turn.” He replied. I hadn’t noticed, but everyone was looking at me for an answer.

         “I’d like to be alive, and if you shit stains continue blabbering instead of doing your job then we won’t be there when this over. So close your mouths and keep a lookout for anything that moves.” I technically wasn’t really in a position to order them around, but I was the best swordsman out of all of them, putting me into the leadership role. The Leadership role actually belonged to Malden, but after Steichrich... they know. I knew what I was doing, I was the only actual knight in this patrol. The others were just men-at-arms. A Mere ten peasants with swords. Or in one case, a pitchfork.

         “Actually, If you’ll excuse me, I need to go relieve myself. Go on ahead, I’ll cut through the forest here to catch up with you.” In honest, I didn’t really need to go, I just wanted to be alone for a little while.

         I saw Roilles form the words before his mouth moved to speak them. “Here, I’ll go with y-” I stopped him there, with a wave of my hand. The magic of obedience.

        “I don’t need an escort. I can make it to a bush on my own, thank you very much. I’ll meet you on the other side of this brush.” I started away from the group. Hand on the hilt of my sword all the while. No one followed, as instructed. They left without a word.

         The road I left wound around this part of the forest. So much so that on a good, bright day you could see  the road on the other side. Tonight was laden with a thin fog, however. It gave me privacy. At least if you were further than fifteen feet past the treeline.

           I walked happily in silence, making it halfway to through the thicket, before sitting on a fallen log.  I sat there to think, and wait. It would be a little while before I needed to meet my fellows. I hated them. Maybe hate was a strong word, it was more of a general dislike of them. They all smelt no better than the bodies they spent their time with, and shared the same personalities. They were, however, the only people I could call friends.

          I spent practically all of my time with them, and they were generally accepting of my presence. We all shared laughs, grief, and horror. I guess our friendship was less of our personalities mixing, and more of a bond of experiences. So I guess disliking them is wrong of me. Maybe I should treat them better. I’ll be joining with them at the bonfire at dawn, before we sleep.

       Whistling. Short, sharp, and sweet. It came from the way my men should be coming in. It had to be the signal for an ambush. I would have ran with my sword unsheathed to aid my companions. Something told me not though. So instead I kept quiet and slowly moved towards the origin of the ruckus. I watched from the shadows. It was a group of bandits, no more than 30, attacking my patrol.

           I had to do something, I wanted to save them, but something held me back. It wasn’t fear, or lack of will, or even me at all. It was something outside of me. Whatever it was tightly grasped my wrists and ankles with cold hands.

          “Stay thy blade, for now is not your time.”  The voice brought with it a cold breath upon my neck. It sent chills that shook my body. It sounded like a dead woman whispering through a dried throat.

         I fought, and fought. No matter how much I tried, my limbs wouldn’t move. I couldn’t even speak. I eventually gave up and just watched the chaos. My companions had no chance at surviving. They started to fall, one by one.

          Malden went first, taking an arrow for Roilles before being almost chopped in half with a mighty sword blow. I felt a pang of sorrow strike through me. After Malden were two of the newer men, who I had not come to know by name. I never did find out their names. After them went Himmel. A dagger sunk in his skull, all the way to the hilt. Another of the nameless fell with a warrior’s grace. He had potential to be a great swordsman, I saw that in his technique, but it was taken from him before he had a chance to grow it.

          After that man fell, the rest surrendered. Roilles and three others threw down their swords and fell to their knees. Swords were pointed at their throats. A man, who seemed to be the leader of the bandits, walked up to the row of captured soldiers.

          “I’ll make this quick,” he started, voice low and smooth, “We ain’t here for much. Only your heads.” These men were headhunters. And that can only mean that there's a bounty out for Marlheim soldiers. It made more sense for a bandit attack now, because don't carry much other then the armor they'd ruin in an attack and swords theg don't need.

          I watched from the shadows as the lead headhunter told his subordinates to chop off the heads off my fellows. One by one, heads rolled. All I could do was watch. As it finally came to be Roilles’s turn, he decided to look up. He saw me in the shadows, and looked me in the eyes. He was scared. His eyes pleaded with my own, begging me to save him. And all I could do was shed tears as his head was parted from his shoulders.

           The headhunters left, taking the heads of the fallen with them. I was released from my paralysis, and I fell to my knees. No words left my mouth. I just wept.

           I sat there, crying, not having the will to move. Hours had passed, my sense of time being lost to me, until the sun was high in the sky. I was tired, and my eyes ached. I spent my time pondering how I had treated them, wishing I had done better. I was angry at this “Guardian Angel”, who made me watch my men die. It frustrated me, to have my freedom to die along-side my warrior kin stolen.

           Instead of returning to camp immediately, I waited for a search party to find the remains of my patrol. Indeed they had come.

           Not with many numbers, but more than enough to get me back safely. It was a more prestigious team. One with many knights, and a few men-at-arms for petty labor.

           “Knight! What happened here? Who did this?” The man’s voice carried authority, and he spoke as if he were a courtier. A noble born, it seemed.

           “It was headhunters, Sir.” I mumbled, not having the energy to speak.

           “Speak louder, Knight. I have not the ears of a dog.” His voice carried distaste. I was tired, and just wanted to find a bed. So I stood, and raised my voice loud enough to be heard.

           “We were attacked by headhunters, Sir. Thirty of them, well experienced, and professional.” I kept my gaze on his boots. I didn’t want to make eye contact, because I could already feel his scowl.

           “How is it that you were attacked by headhunters, yet your head remains on your shoulders?”

           I paused before answer, selecting my words carefully. “I went to relieve myself, and was hidden in the shadows when my patrol was attacked.”

           “Why did you not rush to aid them? Were your feet so heavy in fear that they would not move?” He mocked. I was in no particular mood for his attitude. I walked up to him, bringing my helm close to his, close enough to where I could see eyes clearly through the slits.

           “I am only one man! Nothing I could do would save my men. I am far more useful to this army alive, than dead!” I yelled, vexed by his judgemental questioning. More than anything, I was frustrated with having to lie. I wish I could have told the truth, but who would believe that a supernatural force held me back?

           “What use is a man who will not draw upon his sword when the time comes? A coward who see’s in numbers, but not skill? Frightened by a group of thirty peasants with a will.” He looked me in the eyes briefly before walking past me, making sure to bump me with his shoulder. “Come, we are to make it back to camp before the sun falls again. It would not do to make Lord Titus wait for our return. What is your name, Knight?”

           I responded truthfully. “Corrick of Esterfell.” It was then, that I noticed the special marking on his shoulder plate. A marking reserved for Lord Titus’s elite guard. A position that could only be earned through exemplary service in combat. Not even the highest of nobles could obtain it through birthright. There was no nepotism to be had amongst our elite warrior class.

          We walked back with no words, or important events. There were many times I had almost fallen out of exhaustion, but whenever I were to stumble another knight would help to keep me standing.

          Upon our return, I was given a chance to rest. I didn’t hesitate to fall in my cot, not even taking my armor off, and do my damnedest to forget what happened last night. I hoped to dream of home again, maybe even of traveling. It didn’t go so well though, as I could only dream of sorrow and blood. My last chance of temporal escape was now gone. No longer could I dream of home.


================


           I was awoken the next morning to a servant, shaking me awake and offering a piece of bread. “Sir Corrick? I have been ordered to escort you to Commander Encilius’s tent immediately. I know you’ll have to skip the breaking of fast, so I snuck a piece of bread for you. Sir Encilius seems quite upset, so I wouldn’t dawdle.”

           “Thank you. I appear to be ready now. Let us be on our way.” I said, as I held my helm under my arm and munched on the bread, thankful for it not being stale like it usually was.

           As we made our way to the Commander’s tent, I noticed that a couple of knights would shoot me a glare every now and then. It reminded me of how I could do nothing to save my men, as I watched them die. I was no longer hungry after seeing Roilles look me in the eyes again. I dropped what was left of the bread and donned my helmet once more. I was quite aware of what cowards were forced to do, under Titus’s command.

           Sir Encilius’s tent was similar to those that surrounded it, though noticeably larger. In front of it banners of the Marlheim colors, yellow and white, flew in the wind. Two guards stood specifically by the entrance to the tent. More of the elite knights, like the man from yesterday, but bound to Sir Encilius instead.

           “Well, Sir… Lord Encilius is waiting for you inside the tent. I wish you luck in your meeting with the Commander.” With that the servant bowed and left. He seemed too young to be in a camp with warriors, but who was I to assume age.

           I walked through the tent flaps to be greeted by the sight of Lord Encilius, adorned in his golden armor, speaking with the other high ranking officers of the camp. The were all huddled over a map, possibly strategizing their next move. I, of course being the lowly knight that I am, waited until I was addressed. They all shook their heads in agreement before everyone but Encilius left.

           “Ah, Corrick of Esterfell I presume? Serving under Titus’s banner, yes?” He asked. His voice spoke of wisdom and battle hardiness. I felt honored to even be in his presence.

           “Yes, Lord Encilius. It is an honor to meet you.”

           “Wrong, you serve under me now, understood? Kneel, please, so I can knight you a vassal of my authority.” I was confused. I already served under Lord Titus. Could I even change my loyalty without his consent?

           “Sir, I- is this even allowed? I haven’t been released of my vassalage to Lord Titus.”

           “Knight, you were relieved of your duties the moment Titus’s men found you among your dead fellows. If you want to continue living, and not be executed for treason, you will kneel.”

           No choice was given to me, as my body assumed a kneeling position on it’s own. The cold grip came back, and my guardian angel forced me down. Encilius said nothing as he laid the flat of his blade on each of my shoulders. I would have kneeled regardless, but it seems that matters of life and death are beyond my choice.

           Once the process was complete I stood back to my feet, this time of my own accord. “Thank you, Sir Encilius. What is my assignment?”

           “You are to follow me into battle on my next campaign. With my army, we are to march into the heart of Aristian Highlands. You will be commanding a troop of 30 on the front lines.” The heart of the Aristian Highlands. Those words rang in my ears. The capital city of Aristia is nearly a two hundred mile march from here. Two hundred miles of the toughest soldiers in all of Europe. This campaign would be long, and arduous. “Understood, Knight?”

          “Yes, Sir. When shall we depart?”

          “Tomorrow morn, at dawn. Is your equipment in decent shape?” I would not be there tomorrow. No way in hell. I had already started thinking of ways to escape.

           “Yes, Sir. All of my equipment is in perfect condition.” Step one was to save my food from dinner. I would need it much more over the week or so of travel needed to get away from this war, and return home.

           “Perfect. Is there anything at all that you may need to be ready to leave tomorrow?” I would need water too.

           “Perhaps a few flasks of water? I’ve been terribly dehydrated as of late.” He wasn’t suspect at all to the request. It did make sense too, as I actually haven’t had any water since the eve before my last patrol.

           “Here, take this notice of requisition to my Quartermaster General, he’ll supply you with sufficient amount of water flasks. Anything else?”  He smiled a genuine smile. That was a rarity in these days. It was something that made me hope he would be successful in his campaign. The world needs genuine people.

           “No, Sir, I should be fine. Thank you.” I didn’t ask for anything else, so as to not raise any suspicion. The thought of asking him for a horse, a map, and direction to the farthest town from here made me chuckle a little though.

           “Good, you are hereby dismissed to do as you please until you are needed tomorrow morning.” I bowed and started to leave, before Encilius put a hand on my shoulder to stop me. “Oh, and one more thing…” He handed me a dagger in an ornate sheath. Gilden with fancily placed gold. “Take care of your men this time around, please. Your bunk area is close to watch station forty, near the stables.

           “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.” I bowed once more, and left. Now that I was free, I decided to first stop and retrieve the water from the Quartermaster General. He set up shop near his lord’s tent, as is custom, and wasn’t hard to spot at all. I mean, no other area in this part of the war camp would have so many supplies stockpiled so openly.

           It was a matter of walking mere yards to speak with him. The Quartermaster General under the house Encilius was a large black skinned man, with an exotic accent and a grey beard. The expression on his face seemed to speak of an unfading attitude of grumpiness.

           He eyed me walking up to him, and before I could ask about the water, he spoke up. “Titus’s men get supplies from Titus’s Quartermaster. I have no business with you.” He looked down an inventory list of sorts for a few moments.

           “Actually, Sir, I serve under Lord Encilius now, and have obtained a requisition order from him.” I gave him the note, and spoke once more. “I need a few water flasks for my case of dehydration.”

           “Ah, it is the so-called coward I have heard of. I know what troubles you, and I can see it.” He said, before pulling a small crate full of water bottles from the pile of supplies. “Drink from these waters alone, and you will be fine. Do not refill them on your own, come see me for more clean water should you need it.” I thanked him, not making note of his strangely detailed words.

           Crate in hand, I walked towards my bunking area, following the smell of hay and horses. This was a perfect setup for an escape. Readily available horses, a supply of water and soon food. Now this was all a game of patience, and attention to detail, as I waited for Nightfall.

           In the spare time I had left, I checked over my equipment and napped, knowing the long night that may come. In my nap I dreamt of poor Roilles, staring up into my eyes as I could do nothing. Nightmares haunted me, over and over before I awoke with a shout, sweating profusely all over my cot. Surprisingly, no one came to answer my distress. I guess nightmares and screaming are all too common around here.

           The night sky reigned over all, as I covered myself with my bedsheet cloak. I had my messenger bag full of supplies and whatever coin I could find. It was time to leave.

           Quietly, I exited my tent and did my best to not awaken any of those who slept around me. They had all drunken themselves to sleep with contraband whiskey. No wonder I was put in charge of these schmucks.  When I had first greeted them they ignored my presence all together, and shrugged me off whenever I spoke to them.

           Ever so slowly, I made my way to the stables. I kept a keen watch for the night guards who lurked across the camp. Not a soul was near me. Upon sighting the building of interest, my nostrils were fouled by the scent of horse excrement and other such smells. Someone wasn’t taking care of their horses properly.

           Opening the gate into the stables, I stepped in. No torchlight or any other annoyances that might have given away my position. Quickly I opened all of the stalls, and jumped on the brownest horse to match the color of my cloak. My plan was to deceive the stablemen into thinking that all of the horses had somehow gotten loose, while I rode away hugging the back of my horse closely to blend in with its hide. If I was lucky enough, they’d just let my horse go if it got far enough.

           “Hya!” I whisper yelled. It was different from what the horse may have been used to, but it got the message. Galloping it insane speeds my horse vanished into the night, along with many other horses who lacked the drive mine had. Soon it became apparent that my horse also had a will to leave, and I had chosen wisely.  I rode on throughout the night, and the next day, only stopping for the horses rest and to stretch my own legs.


================


           It had been several hours of travel, now midday, and I was tired of avoiding roads. It was a good way to avoid any patrols that may roam out here, but it was exhausting for my horse. For the last half an hour or so, I rode near the roads to see if I could find any traveller to tell me whether it was even necessary to avoid them anymore.

           After a little bit of searching, I did eventually come across what seemed to be a merchant without a caravan. Strange as it was, these were desperate times, and many will lose their minds in exasperation trying to be successful here. I did indeed stop to ask the question that had been burning in my mind.

           “Good evening, Sir. Would you mind telling me if there are any soldiers patrolling these lands?” I questioned. I worded it carefully, hoping that he wouldn’t catch on to me being a deserter, perhaps even mistaking me for a courier of sorts.

           “Why, hello there, good sir. To answer your question in short, no. All the soldiers have been hunkering down in the larger, more strategic cities. Building up defenses, stocking up on food and all that. Say, could you help in escorting me and my wagon up to a camp up ahead? You see, a wheel broke earlier, and my caravan went ahead without me.” What caravan doesn’t leave at least one guard to escort a straggler? I didn’t like the way he looked at me either, that smile of his was hiding something. Something with... malicious intent. No, he’d have to get to this supposed ‘camp’ alone.

           “I’m afraid I cannot assist you, as I have urgent business in the next town.” I said, trying to fool him with my words. He just smiled and looked at me. I finally noticed how his eyes lacked any hint of color, and was taken aback. His smile also revealed rotten and bloodied teeth. It sickened me, to say the least.

           “Urgent business? You mean running away from the war, deserter? From your fellow knights?” he smiled as he said it, thinking he could try to coerce me into following him with an insult to my honor. I have none anyhow, as I gave up that privilege. I unsheathed my sword and pointed it at his throat. The tip close enough to brush against his scraggly beard. I’d had enough of this wolf in sheep's clothing.

           “Listen, creature, I will not be prey to your tricks. You will head up to your camp without saying a word about me or to me, or I’ll seperate your head from your body, understood?” He shot me a dirty glare, before turning to face the roads ahead of him. He urged his horse to pull the wagon onwards, leaving me to ride the opposite way. 

“Too bad you are already cursed with something deeper than any harm I could bring to you.” He said, almost challenging me to keep true to my promise. I decided that, since he was leaving anyways, it wouldn't be worth killing him over.

           Humph, the notion that I cared for those I left behind was humorous. The soldiers could all rot with their fellows’ corpses. The war had turned them savage. Many of them hollowed by the violence they’d witnessed. They never even took their hands off of their swords, unless to eat or lower their trowsers to shit.

           It wasn’t their fault they’d become monsters. Perhaps if the commanders would give them a day to rest, or ale to ease their minds. “No... Marlheim needs vigilant soldiers, not a bunch of intoxicated fools,” is how they would usually respond when questioned. With the way they’d been treated by their superiors, and the way they had to live, it was no surprise to watch them become monsters. I doubt a single one of them had a sliver of a memory of what it was like to be human. I wonder if I still know what it's like to be human?

           Two hours after the encounter with the bandit merchant, it finally dawned on me that the only thing I regretted about abandoning my fellows was forgetting to grab a map. I’d forgotten the way home, and didn’t recognize my surroundings at all. After six years, nothing looks the same. Any chance at finding my way back had been lost with time. The only thing I could do now is watch the signs for directions, and hope I’d know the town that was mentioned.

           By the time the sun had more than set, I was still in that forest, and my horse was visibly tired. It’s head hanging low, and it’s breathing heavy. The countless hours of galloping and walking had finally caught up to it. I decided to dismount, and lead it into the forest a little ways, to make camp. It was a good time anyways, as my head also hung heavy with the same invisible weight as my horse.

           In my search for a nice area to make camp, I had come across a creek. I figured my horse could use some water, so I let it drink the running water in front of me. I also drank from that creek, convincing myself to do so on the premise that water from here is water from my rations saved. As I drank, my thirst seemed unquenchable. I lowered my head to get more and more of the water. The water’s faint allure almost nudging me to dunk my entire head into it. I would have too, had I not recoiled from the sudden and foul bitterness that tainted the water’s flavor.

           I paused to ponder the strangeness of this creek. Looking to my side to see if the horse tasted it too, I noticed that it was gone. Panic spread over me then, as if the cold chill of the night had crept through my apparel. No trace of my horse ever existing remained. Not even it’s hoof prints in the mud.

           I looked back down to the tainted creek to see that it had turned red. Bile burned the back of my throat as I turned my head upstream to see countless bodies. All mutilated and bloody. It looked as if they had followed me from the frontlines. I couldn’t hold back the torrent of vomit that came as I turned my vision a little left of the mound of corpses to see a child impaled on a pike. He was disemboweled, his own entrails wrapped around him like a rope.

           The vomit itself came out fleshy and red. I had not eaten meat in days. I could only guess as to what the chunks were, almost vomiting a second time at the thought.

           In a daze, I tried to stumble my way back to the road. There were screams around me. Such wretched screams. It felt as my ears would start bleeding. I covered them and did my best to ignore the screams, trudging further in the way I thought the road was. It seemed as if I was wrong or the road was gone, and the screams grew nearer, now in my ears. They told me to save them, or to put them out of their misery. Lord, It was as if they were in my ear drums, they screeched so loud.

           My head pounded with an ache, and the horizon around me lit orange with a bright, hot fire. It was then that I finally fell, after stumbling for what seemed like hours. My legs had given out, feeling numb and cold. My thoughts shifted to death, as I rolled to my back. I slowly started to lose feeling in my fingers. The numbness quickly spread to my hands, then my arms, not stopping until I could no longer feel anything. It felt as if my heart had stopped. I could no longer breath as my body decided to shut down.

           From the edge of my vision, I could see the black skinned Quartermaster General picking up a water flask from my bag. “I warned you.” He said, the ringing in my ears distorting his words. “Relax now, your worries in this world are over. Bodily harm is no longer your problem.”

           I looked back up to see the sky swirling with nauseating colors and sobbed. In my final moments, I prayed to God, hoping he’d forgive me for my sins. With a final cry, my consciousness left me alone, and blackness became my world.
> Ch. 1 - One Tile Forward
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

           Death. It felt like sleep. In my subconscious I could feel the aching of my body. The need to move. I couldn’t though. No matter how much I tried. Stillness. Blackness was all I could see. Overwhelmingly so. I guessed I was in purgatory, or maybe even hell. After six years of the horridness I had experienced, I assumed I was afraid of nothing. And nothing was what tortured me.

           Nothingness was not a torture of boredom, but of fear. It scared me, nothing, because in the lack of anything my mind created something. It showed me over and over again, memories and dreams. The awful world that is, and the beautiful one that never was. This Nothingness was both the dead, and the never alive. One moment, my mind would show me Roilles looking up at me. The next would show a lover never found, caressing me in her nakedness as I made sweet love to her.

           The one thing that scared me most of all was the reality, or rather, the lack thereof. It didn’t seem real. It didn’t feel real. Somehow, it was just… dreamlike. No sense of consequence. No feeling of the future. It was all as if my actions suddenly weren’t. As if they were just droplets in an endless pond that made no ripples. Truly nothing.

           “Wake up, Sir Corrick.” A woman's voice beckoned. It had the same feel as my Guardian Angel’s, yet it was more… alive. No longer speaking through a dried throat.

           “M’lady, I cannot for I am dead. My soul drifts without body. My mind aches for a brain to think in. I have neither of these which I require. Even if I were be able to, I would not. My world is not for me. I wish to be part of it no longer. So no, I will not wake up.” I responded. This was my mind, and I spoke it so. I did try to maintain a courteous and polite attitude, because something told me that this being was of higher power than me.

           “Then I shall make you a body for your soul, a brain for your mind, and give you a new world for you to live. I will spend my being to give you one the greatest gifts a man could receive. A chance.” She paused, giving a little time for her words to sink in. “In my absence, I must also give you the curse of conquest. Your sole job in the world you enter is to unify it. Without you, the world may fall into it’s own damnation, just as yours has. This world’s leaders have become too stagnant, too trusting in their subjects. They have forgotten sacrifice in the face of necessity. Teach them.”

           This was a lot to think about. I wasn’t sure I had a choice, or even the ability to decline. Much less was I certain of my ability to unify an entire world. “How could one man unify a world of many? Is it even possible? And why choose me?”

           “In order to help you in your journey, I will bestow upon you a power. The power of time. From the day you are reborn you shalt not age a second. In time you will come to find that possibility is a mere opinion. You will have to rely on your courage and tenacity to achieve this goal that I have given you.” Her voice was noticeably quieter now. I felt more alive too, my thoughts seemed to be more clear and I swear I could physically feel my toes. “Listen now, my time is short. I beg of you to save this world. I chose you because, unlike many of your brothers in arms, you understand it. You know what hell your world has become, and you will know how to avoid it best. Go now, Prince of Equus, wake up. Save them from themselves. Keep my creations safe.”

           I had no time to respond. Instead of nothing I saw my eyelids, partly orange with filtered sunlight. I could feel my body again. I wiggled my fingers and toes to find that they indeed still existed. I inhaled sharply, my lungs feeling fresh. The air smelled soft, not like that of a war zone. I could also hear leaves rustling gently in a calm wind.

           I opened my eyes and saw that my helmet was still on, and that I was in a forest. No longer appreciating my horizontal position, I stood up. Looking around to study my surroundings further. The forest wasn’t thick with brush and the trees were not packed dense. It was all so peaceful. The birds chirping, and cicadas buzzing. It was calming.

           I looked to myself, and saw that all of my apparel was in perfect condition. No mud or blood staining my white and yellow surcoat. No dents in my vambraces and greaves. All of it polished to a glossy shine. Amazing. I checked over my sword to see that, not only was it in breathtaking condition, but it was also gilded with a strange emblem on the guard. I also still had the dagger I obtained from Encilius, it too now carried the emblem.

           I also took note of what I was missing. I had no food or water. Nor did I have a map. All of these things were crucial in survivability. Lack of those items urged me to move quickly, and find a village or somewhere for food and shelter.

           I checked once more for anything that may be useful. Finding nothing, I selected a direction and started walking that way. My armor clinked as my boots padded along the soft ground. It seemed I had nothing but time on my hands, as the morning sun was only a quarter way through the sky. Or at least, I’d assumed it was the morning sun.

           It was still such a wonder to me. A blue sky, and green fauna. Not even a week ago I would have been looking at a landscape with no coloring, but red and black. If hadn’t been given a purpose, I would have lost myself in the beauty of this place. But I needed find myself a place to stay, and warm food to fill my empty stomach. I looked up at the sky once more, still utterly astounded. In my wonder, I walked forward blindly, until I accidently bumped into to something. It was light enough to give way and lose balance.

           “Oh!” It said, as it fell. Looking down, what I saw amazed me more than the rest of my surroundings. A small, light yellow creature with equine features lay at my feet. It looked up at me, startled from my unexpected presence. As it studied me though, it relaxed. “I’m sorry, Mister. I should have watched where I was going. Would you like some food?” It asked, with quiet passion.

           I was at a loss of words. Completely flabbergasted, I shook my head in response. Not only was its appearance alien and amazing, but it also was intelligent! Better yet, it spoke english.

         “Are you sure? I have some really tasty flowers. I even have some extra to spare for you to take back to your family~.” Her attempt to entice me was not only adorable, but it brought up even more questions.

           Finally gaining words to speak, I replied. “No thank you, Miss. Even if I had a family, they’d surely have no use for flowers. I appreciate the gesture though.” I tried to sound as warm as I could. Though my voice came out rough, as it usually did. It only bared a slight hint of emotion.

           The creature gasped and flinched at my response. My mind raced as I thought that I might have unwittingly offended it. Inwardly smacking myself I quickly tried to apologize. “I’m sorry. Please, take no offense. I’ve never encountered your society before. Is it rude to turn down flowers?”

           The creature was somewhat comforted in my words. Retreating behind its pink hair, it forced out a quiet response. “Y-you speak equestrian?” It was shaking with terror.

           “Well, I suppose I do. If that is what I’m speaking now. Is it all that surprising? I am a human after all.” I made a gesture to my being, and somewhat posed for it to see. I’m pretty sure she is a female, but I can’t say until I know absolutely.

           She stopped shaking, and stared at me in confusion. “W-What’s a hyuhmin?”

           “Wait, you’ve never encountered my kind? At all?” I asked. The fact that my kind might not exist here was… shocking. It made me feel very small, as if I was barely a pinprick of sand on a beach.

           “Uhm. No.” she answered with definity. A light breeze passed by, as if to signify my sudden loneliness as the only human.

           “I- Okay, well, do you mind giving me second?” She shook her head and I turned away to compose myself. ’This doesn’t change much, does it? God, no humans? What if they don’t even have food that I can eat?’ I pinched the bridge of my helmet and rubbed the face plate. Inhaling sharply I put my thoughts aside and faced her. She was looking at me with what seemed genuine concern and empathy. “Okay, can you point me to the nearest town, and suggest an Inn I can stay at?”

           She nodded and said, “Ponyville is only about 3 miles that way.” She pointed to my left with her hoof. “The cheapest Inn would probably be The Scorned Mare. They only charge five bits a night, I think. I’m not sure if they have any beds big enough for somepony of your… stature.”

           “Five bits? What the hell is a bit?” I asked, then I stood straight with the realization. “Bits are your currency… Oh Blasted-! I’m without any sort of money.” I kicked the dirt in anger. I stared at the ground for a few moments, before looking at the creature and seeing that she was hiding behind her mane and shaking in fear again. Quite timid, this one. Though, I understand something twice as tall as you being  angry could be quite scary. Sighing in defeat and giving up my anger, I sat down. I heard once from an animal handler who worked for a Switzalian circus that if an non-dangerous animal ever seems to be scared of you, you should make yourself look as nonthreatening as possible. Meaning to try to be lower than their eye level, slacking your shoulders, and slouching your head. I’m not sure if he was right, but I hope so.

           “I’m sorry.” I said. “I just don’t know what I’m going to do. I have no money. Hopefully you’ll understand my predicament.” I looked down in thought, trying to think of what I could do.

           Suddenly, I felt something gently caressing my back. I turned my head and saw that the she-creature was caressing my back with her wing. I was going to ask why, but she started to say something first. “It’ll be okay Mister Hyuhmin.” She consoled, nuzzling my shoulder and helmet. “If you’d like, you could stay with me in my cottage until you can get back on your hooves again. Or I could spare some bits for you to stay at the Inn.”

           I stared at her in disbelief. Such kindness was unheard of in Marlheim, or anywhere really. “I-I appreciate the offer Miss, but I’d rather not be a burden.”

           “Oh, you wouldn’t be a burden at all. If you’d really feel like earning your stay, you could always help with chores. I have plenty of animals to care for and they can keep me pretty busy.” She patted me on the back with her wing before walking a few steps in front of me. “Come on, Mister. My home isn’t too far away from here.” She said, looking over her shoulder.

           “I-” I was about to object further but something told me to just give in. “Okay. Thank you, Miss…”

           “Oh! My name is Fluttershy.” She said sheepishly. “What’s yours?”

           Stood up, tall, and with a little pride.“I am Sir Corrick of Esterfell. Though out of formal situations you may refer to me as Corrick.” I said with a polite bow. I never actually learned much of formal etiquette, but I knew enough to get past greetings without making an ass of myself.

           “You seem very fancy. I think my friend, Rarity, would like you. She’s also kinda fancy.” Fluttershy said. I stood up and she began to lead the way to her home. Looking back at me, she studied my figure, her eyes widening as she noticed my belt. “Are you in the Royal Guard?”

           “Royal Guard? The Royal Guard of whom, and why do you ask?” I’m absolutely certain that my voice carried an interrogative tone that wasn't meant to be there. Her fearful look confirmed that. Damn my voice. Had God given me any gruffer a voice, I’d be spitting gravel every time I speak.

           “I’m sorry if it’s a touchy subject, Mister Corrick. I only thought that because of your sword. Only Celestia’s guards carry swords, usually.” She looked on the verge of tears and we had stopped our pace.

           “No, it wasn’t meant to sound so harsh. My vocal chords just happen to be made out of stone. But, to answer your question, No. I’m not part of the Royal Guards. I am, or was, a knight however. Not for this Celestia, but for another kingdom, in a land far away from here.” I explained.

           “Oh.” She looked at me, not understanding but not questioning. I didn’t bother explaining further. The situation had become awkward with the misunderstanding. We walked for ten minutes. The quiet was almost unbearable. It was excusable when I was alone, but now it was just a wasted opportunity to gather information. It really didn’t take long before the awkward silence got to me.

           “This place is very beautiful. I haven’t seen a forest this green in ages.” I said somewhat quietly. Only just loud enough to be heard over the clinking of my armor as we continued on our walk. The ground was soft enough for me feet to sink into it a little. It was sort of like walking on mud, but dry. It was certainly pleasant for traveling on foot.

           “Oh yes, the Whitetail Woods are very nice. The animals love it too, and that’s why I visit here every so often. I like to check in on them and see if they need any help. It’s also a good place for finding lovely flowers that go nicely in a cabbage stew.” She said.

           “Flowers in a stew?” I questioned.

           “Do they not stew flowers where you're from?” She looked at me inquisitively. It was almost funny how she had to look up so far to meet my eyes with hers.

           “No- well… In a way, yes. I believe we use certain pedals and plant leaves to make a thing we call tea. However, It usually doesn't have food in it, and the plant matter is strained out of it.” I answered.

           She giggled before speaking again. “I know what tea is, silly. I could make some tonight for dinner if you’d like to try it. My cooking isn’t the best though.”

           “While I’d simply love to taste this meal item, I don't believe humans are supposed to eat flowers.  I could go for a nice beef and cabbage stew,” I said dreamily, “and maybe some nice warm bread with freshly churned butter.” The thought of a home cooked meal was enough to make me forget six years of war. If only for a night.

           Fluttershy’s eyes widened in an epiphany. “You’re an omnivore. Now that makes sense as to why you didn’t want the flowers earlier.”

           “What was that about anyways?” I asked, pondering the possible reasons behind her antics.

           “Oh, that?” She said, blushing and hiding behind her mane once more. “I uh… I thought you were a new animal in the forest. Thinking about it now, your clothing should have been a giveaway, but you never know.” Her personality sure fit the ‘shy’ part of her name.

           “I suppose that’s reasonable. You must care about animals very much to not be afraid of something as relatively large as myself.” I complemented. Indeed, had I met something twice my size, I’d be running for the hills.

           “Oh- well… gee, thanks… I guess.” She blushed and looked away. This damn creature was so adorable. I’m not sure if I could conquer them, if they’re all so cute. Speaking of creatures, that brings up another question.

           “Just what are you? If it's not rude to ask. I’ve never encountered your kind before.” She looked at me understandingly. My face was shielded by my helm, and even then I still had no expression on it. I had simply given up on trying to make one, since it was so useless to try. No one would ever read it.

           “It’s okay. My kind and I are known as Ponies. Specifically, I am a pegasus, but there are also unicorns and earth ponies. Unicorns can perform magic, and earth ponies are exceptionally strong and usually adept in agriculture.” She explained, looking forward on the path again. I never noticed before but she had a basket on her… hip, I think? It carried many beautiful flowers of a deep purple.

           “Magic you say? Like witching spells and incantations, or even zombification?” I asked. Such things existed in my world, but were most common down in Afrique. Sorcery was not generally looked down upon. Many, in fact, looked to sorcerers and witches for guidance or boons of power.

           “No, none of the evil stuff. Not usually. Many unicorns aren’t even adept in spell weaving. At least, that’s what I heard from my friend, Twilight. Most only know simple things, like telekinesis.”

           “Telka- Telkaknees? Gah- I must look like a fool. There is so much I don’t know. Learning everything will be frustrating.” I gestured with my hands for emphasis. I guess my new agelessness will come into play with how long the learning process will be. My new agelessness. Thought up as if nothing. I won’t age. What an interesting concept. If I don’t age-

           “No, you’re just new here. There’s no shame in that. I can even get my friend I mentioned earlier, Twilight, to help teach you.”

           “Lord, you are too kind. I appreciate the offer, and would very much like to be educated by your friend.” This place is definitely not like home.

           We walked on for a while. To pass the time, I tried to count my footsteps, but I lost count after five and two tens. We had exited the forest. The scenery outside of it was almost as spectacular. In the distance, there was a village that looked not unlike one found in Marlheim. Past that, I could also see a golden capped city of marble that rested upon the side of mountain. Were I to describe this place in one word, it’d be ‘Magical’.

           Pure beauty. We were in a plains land with sprawling fields of grass as green as emeralds. A griffon flew over the village. There was also a weird machine running through the village too. I swear, as if to seal the magicality of this land, there was even a rainbow on the horizon. I had no words. In my stupor, I had fallen behind Fluttershy, who was walking as if this was nothing amazing. Then I noticed that the rainbow was apparently moving. Almost as if heading my direction.

           I tensed up as it approached my position quickly. Grabbing my sword handle, I got into a fighting stance.  I didn’t unsheath my sword yet, but I was ready. Time slowed for me, adrenaline had already started running through my veins, though I had not entered combat. My breath was slow, and I was shaking. I focused, no longer thinking, but reacting. The object was so fast.

           “Fluttershy!” It yelled. I ignored it though, and my vision turned dark.

            “Ahhhh!” Screaming. Screeching loud enough for my ears to bleed. The air turned hot, and my shoulders felt heavy, pressing me into the dirt.

           “It’s the Aristian Knights! Get ready!” A familiar male voice yelled.

           “My kids! Where are my children!?” A woman screamed, crying. I sank further into the mud.

           “IT BURNS!!! OH GOD, PUT IT OUT, PUT IT OU-HOU-HOUT!!!” Another man screeched.

           “Here they come! Corrick, where are you?” The man from before asked. The mud came up to my neck now.

           “Corrick!”

           “Corrick!!!”

           “Save me!!!” Said Roilles. I was consumed by the mud.

           I inhaled sharply as my vision snapped back to what lay before me. There was a blue pony next to Fluttershy. Her mane was a rainbow of color. Her eyes were a soft magenta, and she used them to eye me up curiously.

           My God… what just happened? What wicked sorcery could bring such terrors upon my mind? I… I have no words. Even though I’ve left that wretched place behind, it seems my mind won’t forget. It’s as if these memories are to serve as a constant reminder of the hell my world has become.

           Tears were in the verge of spilling from my eyes as I let out a quiet, choked sob. I can’t live with these damnable images in my head! I lost track of my thoughts and my world was spinning. I struggled just to maintain balance. The blasted nightmare would never end! My fists clenched up and I looked to my dagger. Before I could even pass another thought, however, the blue one spoke. All of those thoughts disappeared in an instant, and it seemed no one noticed my spell. Good.

           “Hey Flutters, Twilight’s called the gang for a meeting in the library.” She paused and looked at me again. “What’s that? Ooooh, is it some sort of golem? Maybe a golem for the Royal Guard? Oh, I know, it’s totally an experimental golem that the Royal Guard is testing and they wanted you to take him to the Everfree to fight timberwolves and manticores! That’d be sooo cool.” The pony excitedly flew up into the air, spiraling in a show of wonder.

           Fluttershy eyed her with a deadpan. “No, he’s not a golem. This is Sir Corrick, a hyuhmin. He’s actually a knight, though for a kingdom very far away. He’s new here, and has no money so I’m letting him stay with me at my cottage.”

           “Oh. That's kinda cool I guess. Anyways, Twilight needs us in the library asap. It’s really important. I think. She never actually told me what it was about. All I know is that Celestia sent a letter.” The blue pony said, urgently. This person was surely energetic. It rubbed me with irritation. I don’t like excited people. They tend to be unaware of their surroundings.

           Fluttershy looked to me, thinking. “Mister Corrick, this is kind of important. Would you mind coming along with us? It's only if you want to. I’m sure it won’t be long, that is if you do come.”

           It was my turn to think, but my options were limited. Deny her and I starve for the night, and sleep in the cold. The choice was obvious. “No. I don’t mind at all. In fact, if it's as important as your friend says, we should move quickly.” The rainbow maned one raised her eyebrows but didn’t say anything.

           “Okay. Lead the way, Rainbow.” Fluttershy said. Rainbow nodded and started leading us towards the village. Fluttershy followed next, and soon, we were off.

           Today has included a lot of walking so far. I’m used to it though. My feet have been molded into stone, as far as endurance was concerned. My patrol is usually at least thirteen miles long, though we never actually counted. All I know is that we left late in the night and arrived back at dawn.

           My thoughts were brought back to the trance I was in as Rainbow arrived. I remember how I looked at my dagger and shudder. I know not what I may have done had my thoughts not been interrupted. I think I might be losing my head. I move to take off my helmet to catch a breather but stop. Now is no time to panic. I should get grip. Im safe for now.

           I look to Fluttershy and she’s watching me. Her eyes are locked with mine, and I can feel her unease. Her look turns caring as she feels my sorrow through my gaze. She then looked towards Rainbow and slows her pace, motioning for me to do the same. The blue pony has a good lead on us and is blissfully unaware of it.

           “Mister Corrick, are you okay? If you don't mind me asking. It’s just that I noticed how you were worried about something.” Fluttershy asked. “I also noticed how you looked… tense when Rainbow showed up. Is something bothering you?”

           “I-” I wanted to answer, but couldn’t out of shame. I don’t know how something so paltry got me so worked up. Inwardly beating myself up, I finished my response. “No, I’m fine. I was surprised is all. Let’s just leave it at that.”

           Perhaps I would have sought her attention had I known her as a dear friend, but alas she isn’t. I don’t want help anyways. I’m a grown man and my issues are solvable through my own consolation. Besides, of what importance are the issues of a lonely knight?

           “O-okay. If you say so, Mister.” She looked unsure, to which I had no response or comfort. I stood rigid and sped up my pace to meet back up with Rainbow. She never noticed we had moved away, and was walking with a smile on her lips.

           The trip to the town was slow and uneventful. No one spoke, and there was an odd tensity between me and Fluttershy. I could just tell that she knew something was up, and probably wouldn’t let it go.

           We entered the village and I was marveled by the lack of stares I received. I had figured that since my kind doesn’t exist here that people would at least be cautionary of me. It seems as though these ponies have no idea of the concept that the big bad creature with a sword might have a slim chance at being dangerous. Instead everyone one went on as though I was an everyday occurrence. How bizarrely inept.

           The village itself has a very homely air. The ambiance told me that I belong here. The kind chatter of neighbors, the quiet atmosphere of the market as ponies traded without haggling, and the laughter of children playing in the streets was just so refreshing. Never in all my years have I been in a place as nice as this. We walked by a tavern and all I heard was laughter, cheers, and the singing of drunkards as they merrily forgot about life for awhile.

           I looked to the two ponies I had been accompanying and they seemed to be chatting up a storm. I looked back around me and saw the nature of this place. “By the word of God, this place must be to good to be true.” I mumbled.

           “What was that?” Rainbow asked.

           “I was just admiring the atmosphere here. This village is truly beautiful.” I responded. This world so far has a knack for leaving me speechless. Then again, so does my situation in general.

           “What, Ponyville? This place okay, I guess. Kinda boring most times. If you wanna see a place really cool, you should go to Cloudsdale. That place is so awesome, right Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked her friend.

           Fluttershy eeped before saying, “Uhm.. yeah, I guess.”

           I was going to question further but Rainbow was quicker to talk. “We’re here.” She motioned to a house. There was something odd about it though. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

           “Is that home made out of a tree?” I asked, dumbfounded. How does one build a house out of a tree?

           “Yeah. Why?” Rainbow answered nonchalantly.

           “W-why? Of all the things to make a house out of…” My awe had not gone away. My voice made it come out with more of an aggressive tone.

           “Do you have a problem with Equestrian… uh, buildings, pal?” Rainbow said defensively. Fluttershy, seeing what was happening, was quick to start defusing the situation.

           “I think Corrick was just curious about the design choice, not being judgemental. His voice is kind of bad.” Fluttershy said, remembering our earlier dispute.

           “Thanks.” I said, nodding to her. I appreciate her coming to my defense. I wasn’t quite in the mood for conflict. Especially one over a misunderstanding.

           “Uhuh…” Rainbow was still suspicious. “Whatever, let’s go in already.” She blew her mane and huffed. Rainbow then kicked open the door. “Twilight! I got Fluttershy!” She yelled as she walked in.

           I looked to Fluttershy, who looked at me apologetically. “I guess you should go on in, Miss.” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “I’ll wait out here.”

           “Oh I’m sure your presence won’t bother anyone. This would be a good time to introduce you to Twilight too, and ask if she’ll be willing to tutor you.” She motioned for me to head inside.

           “I suppose you’re right. Fine, I’ll come in with you.” I sighed in defeat. I was not really looking forward to meeting new people today. It's almost a little too much.

           Fluttershy lead the way as we walked in. I had to duck a little to enter the place, but the ceiling was much higher on the inside. What I saw before me revealed the nature of this building. It was some sort of archive, with numerous books along the walls. A staircase to my right lead to the second floor where there was a bed I could barely see more. In the back left of the building, there was a door that lead into another room.

           In the center of the rotunda that Fluttershy and I were in, there was five ponies. The first was Rainbow, who was conversing with a purple unicorn that had a deep man and a pink strip running through it. To the left of them were the other three conversing happily, a very pink pony who bounced energetically, a haughty white unicorn with a styled, purple mane, and an orange pony who wore a strange hat. The scene made me uncomfortable. Perhaps I was a little shy.

           The purple one looked to Fluttershy, not noticing me, before looking at Rainbow again. “Still, you didn’t have to kick the door. What if you had broken something or injured somepony? Ugh- Nevermind. Everypony is here so I might aswell begin.” Her horn lit up and a scroll appeared, enveloped by a purple aura. This must be the magic Fluttershy mentioned.

           “W-wait.” Fluttershy said, trying to stop the purple one. She was ultimately unheard and the purple one continued unabated.

           “So, I called all of you here today to tell you that Princess Celestia sent me a message. Well, not only that she sent me a message, but that she needs me in Canterlot for some sort of test. ‘The likes of which I’ve never seen before’.” She paused, letting her news sink in. “So, I figured that, since I’m heading to Canterlot, that you guys might want to come with. So… what do you girls say? Want to come support me in Canterlot?”

           I stood still, next to the door, with my arms crossed. It was somewhat awkward being an observer, while not even being noticed or even really given permission.

           The orange one responded first. “Of course, Twilight. You know we gotcher back. Through thick and thin, we’ll be there.” With her piece said, the others nodded in agreement.

           Twilight looked relieved, though I hadn’t even noticed her stress being there in the first place. “Okay girls, I’ll let Princess Celestia know that you’re coming with me.” She looked upstairs and shouted, “Spike! I need you to take a letter for me.”

           At her beckon, a tiny lizard-dwarf-thing, ran and slid down the railing on the stairway. It was a bizarre spectacle but in the end he stuck the landing. I shuddered at the thought of all the splinters one might get from sliding down the railing. The lizard had in its hands a quill and papyrus. It walked up to Twilight's side before looking at the guests. His gaze casually scanned the room and he had a smile on his face. Pride to serve is such a strange thing. As his gaze passed over Fluttershy, he looked behind her and saw me. His smile went away and dropped his items.

           “What the heck is that thing!?” The lizard-thing panicked, pointing at me.

           It was then that Fluttershy tried again to gain everyone’s attention. “Uhm, I wanted to introduce you all to my new friend.” She said, pointing a wing towards me. “His name is Corrick, and he’s going to be staying in my cottage until he can start earning some bits on his own.”

           Everyone, excluding Rainbow and the orange one, was dumbfounded. Twilight in particular had a lack of control in her jaw. I myself stood, unmoving and rigid, like a statue. Everyone’s stares were making me uncomfortable. The air was thick with silence and tensity, before Twilight finally broke it.

           “Fluttershy, I understand being nice and all, but are you sure that’s safe? I mean, do you even know what it is? Because I don’t.” Twilight’s distasteful attitude was annoying, and I didn’t much appreciate it.

           Fluttershy stood adamantly against her friend’s concerns. “Actually, He  is a hyuhmin. I’m sure he’s a nice person. He hasn’t acted mean yet.”

           I will give Twilight one thing, she did have legitimate concerns that a normal person would have. “‘Yet”! Look, he even has a sword. That means he is at least dangerous.” Said Twilight.

          Fluttershy then stared at Twilight with an eyebrow raised. “Twilight, I live with a bear. I’ll be fine.” S-she lives with a bear!? What!? Why was I not informed of this!?

           Twilight was about to speak, but the orange one cut her off. Also, I took note that the pink one was bouncing higher with a happier smile on her face. “Why don’t we just let ‘em talk fer ‘imself? I’ll know if he’s lyin’.” Twilight gave in and just nodded. “Okay, Do y’all plan on hurtin’ Fluttershy?” She asked, eying my closely.

           I stopped leaning on the wall and looked the orange pony in the eyes. “No, ma’am. I do not plan on harming Miss Fluttershy.” The white one folded her ears back, and a couple of the others shivered.

           “Dude, your voice is creepy.” Spike blurted out.

           “Oh my gawsh! I know right!?” Rainbow followed. “I noticed earlier but didn’t say anything.”

           “Uhm, what I think they mean to say, darling, is that your voice erhm…” The white one started. I looked into her blue eyes, expectantly waiting for her to finish. “Uh… well… It kind of sounds like a bag of gravel being rubbed vigorously with sandpaper.”

           “Understandable.” I said.

           “Wait a second!” Rainbow yelled. “How can you tell if he’s being honest or not if his face doesn’t even move?” Have these ponies never seen a helmet?

           The orange one beat me to talking, unfortunately. “I can tell through his voice. He sounded very honest, by the way. I think we can trust him.”

           “Well… I guess if Applejack says he’s being honest...  No one can really argue.” Said Twilight.  I let out a sigh. Finally everyone had relaxed, or at least dropped the issue. “Alright with that out of the way… uh… where were we?”

           “I believe you were having your scribe write a message for you.” I said, once again leaning against a wall in the shadows. I looked to a window on my right. It appeared to be sunset. It appears that the hours had passed quicker than expected. I looked back at Twilight, who looked at me with her brow furrowed.

           “Spike isn’t a scribe, he’s my assistant.”

           “To be a scribe is to write for another, where I’m from. Is this not the same here?” I questioned. Only the elite were literate in Marlheim, but they didn’t want to write for themselves, so the ones rich enough had scribes to write for them.

           “It’s the same, but Spike also has other responsibilities. So he’s more than a lowly scribe.” She replied. Her expression had softened, but she still carried disdain in her tone.

           “To be literate and earning wages for it is lowly?” I raised my eyebrow. The others looked to Twilight for explanation, but they seemed to already know the answer.

           “Anyone can write a message or keep a journal for themselves nowadays. Only the really wealthy hire scribes, and even then they don’t pay them much. Spike is more than that, and he’s family, so to refer to him as a scribe would be wrong.”

           “Ha! Surely not everyone can read. That’s preposterous.” I stated in disbelief. There is no way everyone can read and write. Schooling requires money, and last I checked peasants don’t have money.

           “Well, actually yes. Everyone can read and write. It’s the first thing they teach you in school. Wait. You can read, right?” She looked to me in concern. Nodding phantomly, as if I’m supposed to mimic her.

           “No. I was never put through schooling outside of my Knight’s training. Not many can read, where I’m from.” The whole room was looking at me in surprise.

           “I guess that explains you having a sword. Do you at least know basic math, science, and Equestrian history?”

           “No. Like I said, I was trained to be Knight. I didn’t need to know any of that extra stuff.” I sighed in despair. It was rather sad, how far behind the learning curve I seemed to be.

           The white one gasped, having a hoof to her mouth as she did. “Oh you poor thing.” She said, with genuine empathy.

           “Fluttershy actually recommended you as a tutor, so I can have a chance to learn.” Everyone looked to Fluttershy, who blushed and hid behind her mane. “So, if it’s not too much trouble, would you?” I asked Twilight.

           Twilight just grinned. “Teaching a the first of a new species? Yes please. I’d love to. So long as you exchange information about your homeland, and how to get there with me.” I frowned at that. I was about to respond but it was too late. The excited Twilight looked to Spike and gave him her message to this Princess Celestia.

           The lizard, after writing down the message that I tuned out, held the scroll in his hand before breathing fire on it and blowing the smoke out the window. What in God’s holy name? I just assumed that was a magic thing a gave up.

           “Alright,” Twilight said, “With that out of the way, I guess our meeting is done. Corrick, I hope you don’t mind coming with us to Canterlot, but just have to show you off- introduce you to the Princess. She should be informed of your presence in Equestria.”

           “I suppose I’m at her mercy, since I’m on her land. I have no quarrels with this.” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

           “Great! Okay, well meeting adjourned. Remember to be at the train station at eight o’clock sharp, girls.” Twilight waved. All of us, excluding Spike and Twilight, shuffled out of the door after saying our goodbyes. I accidently hit my head on the top of the door frame. I forgot that the doors here are meant for ponies.

           Fluttershy and I started towards her home. The sky was a beautiful dark blue, splashed by the bright orangish red of the setting sun. A truly beautiful scene that would bring a tear to any artist. I looked to Fluttershy, with a invisible, serious expression.

           “So, about that bear…”


================


           In the darkness, a mare awoke from her disturbed sleep, gasping for air and sweating profusely. She threw off her lavish sheets and screamed. She was scared, because something very bad has happened. Something worse than the Crystal Empire returning. Something so bad that it may destroy Equestria, or end life as the average pony knows it. Something so terrible yet summed up by three simple words

           Another has arrived.
> Ch. 2 - Two Tiles Back (Part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

          A long time ago, back before the great pyres of the sun turned their wrath upon earth, we used to be Gods. We had tamed everything from the seas to the stars. We had even nearly unlocked the secret of life itself… but now? Now we are just mongrels tussling over the last scraps of what once was.

          What never will be again. 



================



           I sat on the fine guest bed in Fluttershy’s cottage, staring blankly at the cream colored wall across from me. There were shelves that held knick knacks and a couple of tablets with incoherent scribbles on their faces. I was not looking at them though, just staring. Lost in thought.  

           After I’d awoken from what little sleep I had gotten, I was hit with reality. I am no longer on my own world. I knew that already, but it never quite came to mind. Always creeping in the back, like a wolf readying to pounce on its unsuspecting, and blissfully unaware prey. Last night, the beast pounced. Since then I had been stuck. Staring at this wall. Unmoving. 

            Throughout the night, I had heard the rustling of animals as they skittered about cottage. At one point a snake slithered underneath the door and coiled itself around one of my now bare legs. It moved fairly little, but was still around my calf at this moment. I had never even flinched. I just stared at the wall. Unmoving. If I was breathing, it could not be heard. 

            I was wearing only my trousers, because the earthen blanket above this cottage kept it rather warm. Since I last saw it, my beard had come to be a little unkempt, and my scraggly hair came down to my eyes. After wearing armor for the past couple of days, my shoulders had grown accustomed to the weight. Now it felt as if I was lighter than air.

            ’I’m all alone,’ I thought to myself. ’I’m all alone, in a magical world of talking ponies, and I need to unify them.’ It then occurred to me how ridiculous this all is. I also then realized that I will never be able to have children. Never be able to have a family. No continuation of my bloodline. All of my future, taken from me by some curséd sorcerer’s water. I wasn’t even sure how to feel. In short, I guess you could say that I didn’t. I didn’t want to feel. So I stared... at a cream colored wall… unmoving. Numb to sensory.

           ’I just ran from war and now I’m being told that I need to start one? What irony. I have time though. So maybe… maybe I can take a year or ten before I begin. I don’t know when Hell will descend upon this world though. Maybe I’ll just know when to act. I know one thing for sure though. I’m not going to start just yet. I can’t. I won’t. Just a year. That's all I need.’ 

            I blinked and it was morning. There was sunlight coming through the window, the sound of birds chirping, and most attention grabbing of all, knocking on the door. Along with a knocking came gentle words from Fluttershy.

           “Uhm, Mister Corrick? It’s about six thirty, and I cooked breakfast. If you’re hungry, that is. If not, I’m sure I can save it for later.” She spoke, softly. If I hadn’t been awake, I wouldn’t have heard her.

            To her words, I looked at the door, before standing up and inhaling deeply. “I’ll be right out. Thank you, Miss Fluttershy.” I said as I stretched, forgetting my troubles for now.

            The next thirty minutes was spent donning all my armor once more. I might not need it, but it made me feel safe. Without it, I was vulnerable, and any attack at any moment could see me perish. Besides, I’m visiting royalty today, it’s bad taste not to dress for the occasion. I tightened my belt and checked my gauntlets and vambraces to make sure they were fastened properly. The snake had moved up to my neck and was wrapped comfortably underneath my coif.

           With all of my gear properly on, I grabbed my sword and sheathed it on my belt. My dagger was already on my belt, hanging on my right hip. I looked into a mirror and placed my helm upon my head. The sweet weight it, along with my mail coif, brought filled me with pleasure of the purest form. I always enjoyed putting my armor on.

            I gave myself a quick nod and turned for the door. I opened it and stepped out into the hallway. The wooden floor creaked with my weight. Fluttershy’s cottage had a nice, natury musk about it. One that I could appreciate. The hallway was quite narrow, but I managed to fit, so long as I didn’t move my torso too much. This little house was very modest. Not very much furniture, not too much room, but just enough of everything for it to feel homely.

           I took a left, walking down the creaky stairs and into the kitchen. I was instantly gratified by the pleasant smell of whatever the yellow mare had cooked for breakfast. Speaking of her, she sat in a chair opposite of a plate full of some sort of brown discs, staring at the empty one of her own. It seems I may have been a little late to breakfast. I looked once more to the food, before realizing that I simply wasn’t hungry. I felt no desire for sustenance. Almost the opposite, actually. I felt full.

            “Good Morning, Miss Fluttershy.” I said. “I must thank you in your efforts to make breakfast, but I’m not very hungry right now. I wish not to be late to this gathering at a station.”

           She looked at me, smiling. “Oh, I suppose that's fine. I’m ready to leave, if you want to.” She stated, as she stood up and put her saddlebags across her flanks. 

            “Well, let us be off.” I said. I preemptively walked to the door through the living room, before she stopped me. 

           “Wait! Can I just say goodbye bunny, Angel? It’ll take a second. If you don’t mind, of course.” She asked quietly, sounding almost afraid to ask.

           “I don’t mind at all, but that does bring up something I needed to talk to you about.” She stopped on her way out of the room and looked towards me. “Last night, a snake came into my room and wrapped itself around my leg, and recently moved up to my neck. I didn’t really want to remove it and it didn’t want to leave, so currently it’s still around my neck.”

           She looked to me with surprise. “Oh,” she said, “Is it a small, green snake?”            

“Why yes, I believe so.”            

“That’s kind of funny, because he usually prefers to keep to himself. He’s not bothering you, is he?” I shook my head no. She thought a little. “Well, I guess if he wants to come with us, I don’t mind.” The snake wriggled a little bit in excitement. I guess he doesn’t mind tagging along.

            While Fluttershy went to say her goodbyes to her bunny and do some final checks to make sure everything was ready, I stepped outside and into the nice, warm air. The weather out was just as perfect as yesterday. How lucky. Were I not about to travel to another city, I’d spend all day just enjoying this glorious weather. The snake even noticed, as slithered up through my coif and out my right eye slit.

            It turned back to look into my other eye slit. Somehow, it was smiling in an oddly cute way. I raised my gauntleted hand up to pet it. Of course I wasn't sure that the snake would appreciate it, but it seemed to be enthused.

            The clicking of the door behind me warranted my attention. Turning around I saw Fluttershy. It seemed she had also grabbed a coat on her way out. A rather odd looking coat, clearly woven of a thick yarn material, with a hood attached. It was somewhat oversized and sagged just a tad. She had a smile on her face, but it quickly turned to a concerned frown.

            “I forgot to tell you that it’ll get kinda chilly on the way there. If you want, I could get a blanket or something for you to keep warm.” The snake slithered its way back into my helmet.

           “Miss Fluttershy, you’re too kind, but I think I shall be fine. I’m rather used to the cold at this point.” She blushed slightly, and nodded in understanding. “Are you ready to leave?” She nodded once more. “Absolutely sure that there are no more rabbits awaiting your goodbyes?” I grinned as she giggled a little, before nodding one final time. “Then let us be off!” I exclaimed with vigor, suddenly excited for what lies ahead in our assumedly long journey to this Canterlot. Traveling is what I thought about doing once I got home. Time to see if it fits me.

           The walk to this so-called training station was rather short. Much shorter than the walk to Twilights. The station was in another part of town that was closer. Fluttershy and I passed the fifteen-ish minute walk with idle chatter. Apparently she’s actually from a city called Cloudsdale. She said it was about two hundred miles to the east, over the everfree. Interesting. I might see about visiting over my period of rest.

            Arriving to the training station, almost everyone was there except Rainbow. She didn’t seem like the type of person to be early anyways. I looked around for some sort of trainer or someone who looked like they were experienced adventurers. The whole training station sounded like a good idea. Training people how to trek the roads and what dangers might lie within.

           Fluttershy approached Twilight to chat, while I continued to survey my surroundings. We were on a raised wooden platform, with a small hut that had a large window in the side. Surprisingly, the only people here where the five ponies and lizard thing before me. Even then, I didn't see any course for physical training. Perhaps it was only informational training, taught out of the hut?

           I began to walk over to the hut. The old wood I walked on creaked with my weight. I had taken two steps before, out the corner of my eye, I saw something approaching. Fast. I had not time to react as a surprisingly gentle but forceful shove made me lose balance and fall, destroying the wood beneath me as I crashed through the weak material. The ground beneath that was a mere couple of feet below the wooden level, but splinters do not make for a soft landing. Subsequently the wind had been knocked out of me and I struggled to breathe, being so disoriented.

            “Holy cow!” Came Spike’s voice.

           “Oh my!” Exclaimed Rarity.

           “Sir Corrick, are you okay!?” Twilight asked. All three happened in rapid succession, if not simultaneously.

           “OoooooOooh. What’s it like down there? I always secretly wondered. Are there lizards? Creepy, icky lizards with poison? Oh! What about treasure is there any sort of lo-” I stopped paying attention to spoken words at that point. The pink ones obnoxiousness was making me dizzy. Well, more so than I already was.

           I grunted and rolled over onto my belly before pushing myself up. “Ooaaaah…” I groaned once more before coughing, trying to get air back into my lungs. Gasping and rasping I clawed my way to standing up, now in a two foot deep hole, my beautiful white and yellow surcoat now covered in debris, and a few spots on my left side surely to be bruised. I looked up to the rainbow maned mare who was looking guiltily away and rubbing the back of her neck.

           “Are you okay Mister Corrick?” Asked Fluttershy.

           “I shall be fine. I’ve taken worse falls.” I replied with curt assurity. I never took my eyes of Rainbow though, and she never stopped looking at a particularly interesting spot on the wood.

            “Rainbow!” Rarity yelled. “What on Equus made you do that?” There's that word again. I guess Equus is their equivalent of Earth? I’m the Prince of Equus. This entire world… It's my right, given to me by the Goddess presiding. Well, not yet. I don’t feel like going through the trouble of securing that right.

           “I’m sorry, okay?” She finally looked up and saw me staring into her eyes. “It was an accident!” The air around my neck had become chilly. I had more of a cold rage than I thought.

            “Some accident.” I quietly remarked. Her ears flattened back and she looked away to the floor again.

           “It was only meant to be a friendly shove! I swear it! Please, I’m really sorry.” She rubbed her neck again. I had lost any anger I had previously had. I’m not one to hold grudges, anyways.

           “I forgive you. I’m not paying for the damages though. After all, it really wasn’t as painful as it looked.” I climbed out of the hole, stretched, and brushed the debris from my clothing. It was only a gentle push after all. Perhaps Rainbow is more of the type to play rough, despite her rather fabulous mane colors.

           “Wh- Really? That's it? Okay. I’ll pay.” Rainbow looked at me relieved. My cold rage hadn’t left me though. It didn’t feel like it had, but I also didn’t feel angry. My neck was just so cold. It hit me, then. I quickly pulled off my helmet, much to the surprise of the group of ponies around me, and set it down. I payed them no mind however, as I reached up underneath my my coif and pulled the bloody, squished remains of the snake. It’s head had been completely crushed. Holding it I could also tell that its spine had been broken in many places, along with it’s body splitting open like one would expect when getting crushed. The blood dripped down my arm after covering my hand.

           “What is th- SWEET CELESTIA!!!” Rarity shrieked.

            “Oh my.” Said Twilight softly.

            Fluttershy said nothing, but teared up and looked away. It crushed my heart to see her saddened. It was a terrible idea to bring the damn snake. Spike threw up in his mouth at the sight, and Twilight tried to block his vision. I clenched my fist around the mangled corpse and threw it as off the platform. Blood flecks landed everywhere underneath the flight path. A damn shame, too. I was somewhat fond of the thing.

           “C-Corrick-” Twilight began, but was interrupted by a distant rumble. The rumble was accompanied by a loud whistling, coming from the north. Turning toward the noise I saw a gargantuan worm-beast coming straight at us at a ferocious speed. Everyone seemed to be frozen in fear, and I won’t lie, so was I. I slowly took a step back before looking toward the sword on my hip. No way in hell was I going to fight this thing. I looked back to the group of ponies. They were staring at me, like I had done something strange.

           “We need to run. I can’t kill that thing. We need to help evacuate the village too. Rainb-” I was going to start giving orders but Rainbow came up and gave a friendly jab at my side, rolling her eyes all the while.

           “Relax, bud. That's the train.” She pointed in the direction of the beast.

           “That's the train? I giant worm-beast is going to train us for traveling?” I asked, dumbfounded beyond all belief.

           “Train us for traveling- what?” Rainbow said, easily as dumbfounded as I, if not more so.

           “Sir Corrick, have you never seen a train before? You know, the locomotive *machine* built buy ponies for transport?” Twilight questioned. I had no idea but the thing was already here. It had stopped with high pitched screeching and loud hisses. I saw darkness at the corners of my sight, and a weight on my shoulders.

            It vanished suddenly however, as I felt something on my side. It was Fluttershy nuzzling my side. I was stunned, but comforted more than anything. I reached over and patted her on the head, and scratched behind her ears. I forgot what had been covering my arm at that point, and so now Fluttershy had some blood smeared behind her ears. I looked over to the Twilight, who immediately understood. With a flash of her horn the blood on Fluttershy and I was gone. Twilight, however, had gone wide eyed.

          The squeaking of a rusty door came from the train, and a short, beige pony with a handsomely thick mustache and a blue uniform trotted out and set down a stool for passengers to board. He then looked at a small circular trinket in his hoof, before shoving it back into his coat.

           “All aboard!” He yelled. Waving us over. “Come on ponies, we’re ahead of schedule and I wanna keep it that way!”

           The group started towards the train, spike carry the hefty load of luggage, but I was a bit more hesitant. Fluttershy, still at my side nudged my side, before softly saying, “Come on, Mr. Corrick. We can’t keep the train waiting.”

           I loosened up and followed behind the yellow mare after replacing my helm atop my head, carefully avoiding the hole in the flooring. The uniformed stallion stared at it, before mumbling to himself about how this place had become so run down. It was my turn to climb aboard the locomotive, and I looked to the stallion, who in return gave me a funny look. He then rolled his eyes and motioned for me to hurry up. The stool was definitely not going to hold my weight so I kicked it out of the way and just stepped onto the train, which wasn’t even that high off of the ground to begin with.

           Inside the train was rows upon rows of lavishly cushioned seats that definitely wouldn’t fit someone of my stature. I contemplated my options before I just chose a seat nearest the group and sat facing the aisle, taking up two seats but giving me enough room sit comfortably. The entire group had already gotten out entertainment resources for the trip. Fluttershy and Twilight had opted to read books. Fluttershy a bestiary of some sort, and I didn't even want know what Twilight was reading. All I. know is that the pictures in the bestiary were fun to look at.

No one seemed to be shaken up about the recent snake incident. If they were, they were really good at hiding it. It really did seem as if the had just forgotten about it. I guess its for the better though. I don't want to explain why I had a snake under my coif or have Fluttershy be upset in anyway really. If they don't ask, I won't tell.

            The train started to move. Slowly at first, but it gradually got faster and faster. It was amazing. A machine, built by hu- ponies, that could move many at a great speed without any horses. I looked out of a window and was stunned to see the world passing by so quick. It almost made sick, looking out of that window. Something just made me feel queasy. I stopped peering out of that glass surface and went back to looking at the animal pictures from over Fluttershy’s shoulder.

           A solid amount of time had passed, ever so slowly. Fluttershy had stopped reading her book and was now idly conversing with Twilight and Rarity, while Pinkie was talking spikes ear off a booth over. Rainbow and Applejack were playing some sort of game near a window, each had been pointing to something every now and again. I couldn’t guess the game so I stopped watching them after a couple of rounds.

           The rhythmic bumps and train noises were soothing, and made me feel a little tired. I tried to fight it, but eventually, sleep took hold of me and I rested my head against the window behind me, closed my eyes, and went into what would hopefully be a nothingness, and a lack of dreams. I didn’t want to be reminded of what hell looks like in dream form.
> Ch.2 - Two Tiles Back (Part 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

           On the Subject of Divine Intervention, Archmage Iron Horn-

...While divine intervention by an unseen supreme being is not entirely impossible, many would argue that the mere presence of deities, such as Her Highness the Light Bringer, or her opposition Nightmare Moon the Night Bringer, is enough to disprove such a superior being. 

However, there was a time before Her Majesty and the Demon. So long ago that Discord and his Reign of Chaos still had thousands of years to come. This time is called the ‘Pre-Discordian Age of Darkness’, or more colloquially known as the ‘Founding Era’. It’s notable for its lack of written history, and Ponykind’s tribalism that quickly faded once language and culture became more standardized among the tribes. That standardization lead into the ‘Pre-Discordian Age of Unity’, which subsequently leads to the ‘Great Collapse’, which was followed by Discord and the rest is, of course, history.

The reason for this topic to be brought up is that, before Her Majesty had ever appeared, ponies believed in a single divine being. The name they gave said being cannot be translated, as with all of the other names in Foundation Equish, but many philosophers today refer to the being simply as ‘The Creator’. 

Now, it is my personal belief that Her Highness and The Demon were deities given to Ponykind as a miracle from this Creator. However many remain faithful that Her Highness isn’t a deity, but our god, and that we should worship her, a sentiment that has been growing quite popular over the past years. I can only imagine as to what religious zeal the future of Equestria may hold… 




...

“Corrick… You’re alright, you know that?” came a silky, but masculine voice in echoes.

It emphasized the loneliness portrayed through the dark interior of the box I sat in. The dark interior... That feeling… It’s so familiar. I’ve felt this strange sensation before, but I can’t put my finger on it. It’s unpleasant, like if I were being touched by hundreds of cold hands all over. I want it to stop. I want it to go away. I want all of these sickly, groping hands to just quit grabbing my body!

And they did. All at once my vision spiraled and twisted. It all morphed as it was suddenly stricken with colors the made an amalgamated blob of brown with tendrils that reached to my peripherals. The blob writhed and convulsed as my vision twisted more, making me inwardly vomit with disgust.  

“Corrick, I want you to know that, even after whatever happens that I’ll still love you… just promise that you’ll stay here while Mommy and Daddy handle this, okay?” I knew that one. Her name, I- agh! She was my mother. I don’t think I know what happened to her. As I jogged my memory the contortions of my vision stilled and my stomach calmed. 

Sights of blurred objects and the fuzzy interior of a small room became visible. There was loud yelling and metal clangs everywhere. I think I was under a bed. What came next was an affirmative noise from someone outside, and soon the sounds of glass shattering filled me ears. Through the glass came yellowy-orange streaks that spread their color at alarming rates. The fire would consume this place, and me as well if I didn’t leave.

A woman screamed my name, “Corrick!” The shrill voice sent an agonizing pain through my wounded, aching heart. I wanted her presence. I wanted her to hug me and calmly tell me that everything was going to be okay. Her screams affected me more so than anything I had ever felt.

Smoke filled the air and tears began to sting at my eyes, but I stayed quiet. I understood heat was there-- and there was a lot of it--, but I didn’t quite feel it. It was in that sort of dreamy sense. I knew it was supposed to be uncomfortable, and my body reacted thusly. I unconsciously scooted further underneath the bed as I began to sweat profusely.

The sounds of burning oak permeated the area and became almost louder than the screeching coming from outside. I heard a few more clangs before the woman’s screeching stopped. It was heart-wrenching. I don’t know why. Women’s screams never affected me in such a way as now. I was no longer on the edge of tears, for they had already rolled. I wanted to call out to see if my mother was okay, but I was scared. I didn’t know what to do.

Suddenly, a man came crashing backwards through the door, which was utterly splintered by the force of his penetration. He wore a green shirt and brown pants, but they didn’t stay that way for long. His clothing was quickly alight. He landed on one of the torches that was thrown into the building. 

He couldn’t have been conscious or maybe he was in shock, because he didn't yell or move as he burned alive. His image was still, except for the flames. He laid there, sprawled on his back with his head facing away from me. His brown, short hair was quickly consumed by the fire, just as his clothes. The gruesome sight melted with with his body and it all went dark again. 

The sensations lingered for seconds, if at all. The only thing that did stay was the tears that rolled down my burning cheeks, and the pain in my heart after watching them die again. I love them-- or at least, I did at one point. I forgot who they were, my own parents. All I had was her voice, the promise, and the fires that incinerated both without prejudice. It only amplified the cold outlook I had on my life. How can one be so caught up in the twisting knots of life and death that they forget even their parents. Damned are those who walk my path. A life of torture, a death of nightmares, and yet all at once everything I lived for was good. 

The pride I took as I marched alongside fellow troops. All of whom wore the same cheery smile in their helms, and waved and cheered as we paraded through the streets to war. Flower petals showered us as the women who stayed behind also celebrated. It brought me back to the days of my youth, before I was a knight. 

“Ahh, Corrick, my student, You’ve come so far and learned so much since you arrived. I’m very excited to see the day you complete your studies,” said an aged voice. It spoke with a graceful, yet fragile masculinity. The kind of voice you’d expect from a village elder, repeating their wisdom to the young and enjoying the days in their late life. My vision warped again, when I recognized the voice to be a familiar one.

The interior of my childhood home came in much clearer than my last memory. The stone walls, smooth and solid, were adorned with fanciful banners and sconces that held brightly burning candles. The banners were red, with a golden elk in the center. Every now and then there were paintings. Portraits that seemed to be composed of blended colors and blurred so that there’d be no way to know who was actually painted.

Above me hung chandeliers of almost epic proportions as the ceiling reached for the sky, resting at about sixty men tall. The chandeliers themselves were beautiful, after seeing them once you’d never forget them. They were composed golden frames that were made to look like golden vines that grew naturally around the glass pieces. The bulbous glass prisms themselves scattered and refracted light to perfectly light up the room. 

In the center of the room was a long table, signifying the banquet hall. The table was luxurious; Finely carved with beautiful detail, and covered with a gilded, white table cloth that depicted a fairy tale. The center pieces were bouquets of flowers that were red and gold in color, and they sat within vases of smooth, transparent glass-- which is a rarity. Surrounding the table was ornate wooden chairs, carved to be equally beautiful as the table. All of this was on a fine, red carpet that flowed underneath the dining set from one end all the way to another. 

This was Castle Esterfell, where I grew up. It was a place of learning for young knights, a place of yearning for noblemen, and a place of living for Lord Esterfell himself. If I recall correctly, Castle Esterfell was the second largest castle in all of Marlheim, being topped only by the Marmor Palast, which is the High King’s own palace. Castle Esterfell was also virtually impervious from outside attack, having been sieged for almost literally two years once. Eventually the opposing force had been starved out, in a funny twist of events. 

Castle Esterfell, being as magnificent as it was, wasn’t for average peasantry. That’s the strange thing about me being there, yet I was… unique. I mentioned earlier a few reasons one might be there, and as fate churned its eternal cogs, I was there for the first aforementioned reason: learning. However, here’s where the uniqueness comes in. I wasn’t learning the skills of the average squire that attended this castle. I was, in fact, Lord Esterfell’s personal student-- a sort of pet project of his. 

While other students learned to read and write, as well as proper etiquette around nobility, my academics focused on combat training, paired with tactics learning. I wasn't taught how to read, I was read to by a mentor and given demonstrations of tactics in sand from historical treatises. Every day, from sunrise until noon, I’d be in the training arena with Lord Esterfell’s champion. At noon, I’d be allowed to rest and eat, while the other classes of squires would get to train for a couple of hours. Once they finished, I’d go right back in, and train until dinner. I would then eat and retire for the day, usually just falling asleep. It was only on tuesdays and thursdays that I might enter the study during my lunchtime break.

It was a grueling, teeth grinding, bone bruising process, yet I loved almost every second of it. I was fed like a king, and treated like close family to Lord Esterfell. It was luxurious. It wasn’t like Lord Esterfell and I weren’t practically family anyways. Ever since he’d found me at the age of seven, he’d been fond of me, and I of him. He never showed it publicly though, as one of the most prestigious nobles can’t be seen loving a commoner. 

My treatment despite my lack of heritage made the other students jealous. They used to act extremely disrespectful. I remembered all the times I had taken abuse from this kids. They all thought themselves better than me. The vileness of these students all led up to this very moment, at the age of ten and three. 

I sat teary eyed, eating my supper. It was hard to be sad with such delightful food, but today had been especially bad. The others had thrown mud at me from the stable. I’m not even sure it was mud. It was awful. My clothes stank, and I knew Lord Esterfell could smell it, even with his aged and withered senses. He looked sorrowfully towards me, sensing not only the stink of the mud, but also the stink of my despair.

“What is the matter, child? Why do you cry?” He asked softly. I thought carefully of my response, but I couldn’t control the rage under my frustrated sadness.

“I’m… sorry, Master Esterfell. I- I hate these students! I don’t want to see another day of them. I want them to die!” I slammed my small fist onto the table, fork in hand. I let out a choked sob as the tears began to roll. Lord Esterfell already knew what the children had done. If his servants hadn’t already told him, he would definitely be able to guess.

“I see…” He said calmly, placing a hand on my shoulder to offer some comfort. Pushed my half eaten plateful of food forward and laid my head in the crease of elbow and cried. “How has your training been? Have you yet broken Champion Erich’s defense?”

I just looked at him, confusedly. Couldn’t he see that I was crying? Did he not know of my distress somehow? Could he not tell that my day had been awful? His uncaring response only frustrated me further, and I revoked his ability to comfort my shoulder.

“Corrick, please, all I need is a yes or no,” he said, still maintaining a calm attitude. Of course he wouldn’t actually comfort me. He was just gonna continue asking until I gave an answer, so I gave in.

“Yes! I broke his defense today and got a jab into his chest, okay? Are you happy now?” I raged and went back to sobbing into my arm.

“Happy I am not, however I shall give you a chance to make yourself and me so. Go and bathe. Rid yourself of stink and then go back to the arena with your training sword. I will prepare a duel.” I then stopped crying, and looked up to him. He was already moving to get up, and I assisted him. I then got up my self and headed of to the baths. I was excited and eager, forgetting my sadness.

The memory stretched forward and put me moments before the duel. I was clueless to their skill, and the practice of an honorable duel. All I knew was how to take down my opponent. I stood there, on one side of the mud-floored arena. I wore my boots, and my nice gambeson with brown trousers. Held the wooden sword in my hands so tightly that my knuckles were white. 

Around the arena was a wooden fence, and around it was a crowd of students and instructors. In the center was Lord Esterfell’s envoy. I had no clue how they picked the kid that I would face, but I was sure he was their best trained swordsman. His name was unknown to me at the time, but his appearance was very familiar. I think he was one of the kids that threw the mud at me, but I never got a good look at them.

The crowd’s murmurs all came from the children. The instructors stood quietly, brooding about the current matters at hand. I had talked to a one or two of them a few times, and those I talked to seemed like good men, but distant. I was shaken with uncertainty as I realized that I had never defeated anyone in combat. I never came close to beating Sir Erich. Today was the day I finally got a body shot on him, but nothing more. I was panicking on the inside when all of the sudden, the envoy loudly cleared his throat. The whispers all came to a close, and I paid great attention to the man in an effort to forget my worries.

“Ahem! After a great disrespect was given to the challenger, Corrick of Esterfell, by the challenged, Esterfell Academy, a duel has been called. The head of Esterfell Academy, Lord Cornelius Von Esterfell, has chosen the young Prince Henry Titus, son of Lord Serentis Titus, as the champion for the challenged. The terms of which both have previously agreed upon are as follows: Upon Corrick winning the duel Prince Henry shall be expelled from the Academy and stripped of his noble status, as well as Corrick himself receiving the status of nobility under the banner Esterfell. However, upon Prince Henry’s victory, not only shall he take Corrick’s place of honor within the Castle Esterfell, but Corrick himself will thus be exiled from the Castle with shame.” 

The man paused, and let the terms set in for a sort of dramatic effect. No one spoke or whispered. I was now very worried about losing, because exile would mean the end of me. I’d have to find another place to live, another source of food, another way of life. I couldn’t and wouldn’t lose. As my thoughts spiraled worse, the man began once more.

“If the two opponents are ready, they may now enter the arena. Upon doing so will be combat until death or submission.” Death? We only have training swords. It matters not, the only way I’ll lose is through death, I told myself.The crowd remained silent, and Prince Titus stepped into the ring, with his nice boots splashing in the mud. His red gambeson was already drenched in sweat, probably from his training today. I saw that his brown, short hair was actually rather dry, leading me to assume it had been awhile since his training.Everyone looked to me in expectancy. 

The sun was setting, and the arena was already torchlit. No wind blew in the arena courtyard, and no noise was heard. I hopped over the fence, realizing my life was in the line. My hands had grown clammy from gripping the sword so tight, so I quickly wiped both before bringing my sword to a ready stance. Titus was a fool to give me a moment to prepare, it was clearly agreed that once in the combat had begun. My confidence wavered as I looked into his eyes and saw the disgust I had subconsciously come to fear.

Then it came to me, I didn’t need to be confident. I just needed to win, and with that my hatred soared. I furrowed my brows and did my best to stare into his soul. How dare he throw manure at me. Not only that, but how dare he try to slander me and take my livelihood away. How dare he even oppose me. His nature was wrong in every way I could think of, and with that I took my first step towards his ugly self.

The look I gave him shook him to his very core, and I could tell when he faltered and lowered his blade. He was wide eyed and shocked, as I took another advance, now within a decent range for one who knew any better. I held my sword defensively close, as a trap. From there I waited as we began to circle one another. I would say that time had slowed down from the rush, but that’d be a lie. If anything time head sped up, minute becoming seconds. I was testing his patience, waiting for him to get tired of waiting and strike.

It came quickly, he raised his blade above his head and came down even quicker. It was almost a reflex to block the blow and brush it off easily, and so I raised my blade in parry. Our wooden weapons thwacked together, my sword beating his off to the side. I had no time to waste so I began a stab to the waste only to be quickly blocked by his own sword. He did a solid deflection and I retreated to a safer distance. 

Prince Titus gave me no quarter and came in for another attack, this time from my right. I deftly moved my sword in another attempt at a defensive maneuver, however I raised my guard a little too high, and his sword crashed into my left knuckles. The sting was great but my hate was greater, and I came back with a flurry of attacks. Right, left, from above, all pushing myself closer until I became an arm’s length away. It was at this point one could expect a grapple from the opponent, but I was not looking for a roll in the mud. I instead used my distance to grab his sword with my left hand and punch his stupid face with my sword in the right.

He lost his balance and I let go of his sword. His now sore face landed right in the mud. “Submit, Prince! Don’t make me beat you harder,” I yelled, giving him a chance to stand up and continue should he wish. 

“No, not to a peasant who acts like an heir to the throne. All you are an heir to is the manure you wear,” came his reply, after he’d stood up and readied his blade again. His clothes were covered in mud, and I’d hardly say his argument wasn’t projection. Unfortunately, many in the crowd found his joke humorous, and I took a look around to see all whom had laughed. It was a big mistake, because as soon as I turned my head, I felt his sword hit my head from the right and heard the accompanying thwack. 

I fell into the mud, holding my arms to break my fall. I was dazed and seeing fuzzily. The pain in my head was worse than when I sprained my ankle, but I made an effort to get back up. Titus kicked my abdomen as hard as he could muster and I was forced to rolled over on my back. 

“See? I have nothing to fear from you. It looks like all of your training couldn’t stick to your stupid peasant mind. No wonder you train alone,” he spat. I was covered in mud at this point, which gave me an idea. I dug my arm into the mud. “Why don’t you submit, or are you too much of a simpleton to know how?”

There was to much talking. “N-no? How am I supposed to submit?” I asked in faux confusion. I waited for him to open his mouth in response. He looked at me condescendingly as he was about to respond, but I launched a full mudpie at his head and rolled over. Finally off of my back I readied my blade. 

Titus was wiping his face, spitting and sputtering. “Urgh! I’m,” he spat out mud multiple times, “I’m gonna have you skinned,” He continued trying to clean his mouth. I would give him no chance, and with all of my anger in hate I swung from my left, aiming slightly underneath his rib cage. I knew he’d be hurt even more if I hit right there, to the point he might submit on the spot. I was no longer looking for submission. This was to the death. 

The sword connected and he went down with a yelp, like a kicked dog. The mud splashed around him. He was in a crawling position, wrenching in pain. I stepped toward him. I was close enough to see the tears he held back. He opened his mouth another time, but I was tired of listening to his petty words. A swift kick in the the face stopped him. Blood dripped out of his mouth and he spat again, this time a few bits of teeth came out, along with blood. His red blood mixed with the mud and blended in. 

I knew he wouldn’t try to get back up, but wanted make sure he couldn’t, and so I circled him and stomped on his ankle. It took four tries until it snapped crunch. He laid there unmoving, not yelping or crying, unconscious. I cared little, I lined myself up over him, facing his head. The crowd was silent, as it had been, and I stared at his head. I looked to my wooden sword and change my grip. I now held the dulled blade, with the guard in a sort of hammer position. I thought heavily for a few moments. My hate for him was intense. My hate for the academy was intense.  Make a statement , came something from afar. It's wish was my command.
 Let them know what happens when they challenge someone far superior to them.

I raised my sword’s guard high, and shouted, “Aaaaaahhh!” The guard came down and I heard faintly the noise of my Master.

“Corrick! No!” he shouted. I didn’t stop. 

The guard made contact and a squelch was heard, and bloody mud splashed around. I had buried my swords guard in the ground next to Titus’s head, and spat on him. “I believe in his unconscious state he submits. I win,” I stated calmly, my frustration and fury gone. No part of me moved. I barely breathed. I wasn’t tired. I was only in pain from the bruising Titus gave me. My leftern most knuckle felt wrong too, out of place almost.

The envoy stepped into the ring, and cleared his throat once more, “Ahem! In the young Titus’s apparent inability to fight back now, I declare  Sir Corrick of Esterfell the winner of the combat duel!” he exclaimed, raising my hand.

The memory faded out, my vision returned to darkness and I forgot my pain. I wasn’t alone. There was another here now. It was shocked and I could feel it’s confusion. All of its questions melded into my head and I refused to answer and told it to leave. But then, one last question came…

”Why?” she asked.

I didn’t answer. Neither would I, nor could I. I was abruptly jostled out if my slumber.
> Ch.2 - Two Tiles Back (Part 3)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

      I sit here in my tent, shared with five people. My boots are caked in mud now; my feet haven’t been dry in what I think might be weeks. I don’t know what blood on my uniform is my own. I don’t know how this battle continues on. The demolished landscape looks like it’s going to give out into the depths of hell anytime. For a lot of them out there, it already has. My own kettle helm is fucked. A damn Aristian axer got to it. The Quartermaster refuses to offer replacement, stating ‘Go scrounge through the dead, these are for the new recruits’. So tonight I’m staying up a little late so I can go pick one off Gretter’s corpse-- He died earlier today, and he always took good care of his things. I think I saw where he took that arrow too, so I guess I’ll go there first.


~Journal Entry from an unknown source during the Second Battle for Blisterwald






          I was shaken awake, suddenly and painfully. Startled, I crawled further back into the seat to get closer to the window. My sword was awkwardly on my hip in its scabbard, so I reached for my dagger instead, prepared to take down the Aristian the dared to wake me.  

          “Shakey wakey, Mr. Sir Corrick!” exclaimed a bubbly voice. I finally used my eyes, hand on my dagger, and saw the absurdly pink pony that had frightened me. A smile was worn on her face and I exhaled in relief. However, the mare tilted her head and raised a brow in confusion. “What’s-a wrong Mr. Sir Corrick? Did I scare you?” Her eyes widened as she answered her own questioned and the smile came back after its brief disappearance. She giggled, “It’s okay silly, the Pinkster doesn’t bite. At least, I don’t think so. I’ve never tried, so maybe I do. Or maybe I bite ponies in my sleep. Can I bite you? I want to know if I like biting things. Well, I know i like biting certain things, like cupcakes. Aren’t cupcakes, like, the best thing to bite on?” She paused and gasped before stating, “Oh my celestia! I bite cupcakes not ponies! I mean, I can’t blame me, because I love- crpkaghs sr mug. Hr!” I placed my armoured hand over her mouth. She stopped her claptrap and I myself took the stage.

          “Why did you wake me?” I asked, trying to get to the point. I could already guess, but I wanted to know the detailed answer. I uncovered her maw so she could answer.

      “Oh! We’re in Canterlot now. Everyone’s got their bags n’ stuff and waiting by the door,” she pointed towards where the five others stood, saddlebags and other strange looking sacks plump with a large amount of… well honestly I had no idea as to what they brought with them in their bags. Miss Fluttershy already had her kit packed when I walked into the kitchen of the cottage. At the sight, I sighed once more and inconspicuously slid my dagger back into its sheath. These dreams have me worked up beyond belief. Hopefully my time off will wash me of my awful shadows. It will. It has to, or I may not be able to begin warring in conquest. I wouldn’t have the strength.

“Let us be off then, pink one. We shan’t keep a fair princess waiting. It is poor manners,” I stated, shrugging her suspiciously light frame off of my laying body. I stood up out of my seat and stretched and yawned loudly, before seizing in pain. I shouted out, “Blasted!” in pain from the crook in my neck. Those seats are not meant for someone my stature to be sleeping in. 

“Are you okay, Sir Corrick?” came the concerned voice of Miss Fluttershy. I smiled, and looked down to her. She looked genuinely worried and it warmed my heart. The gentle kindness of this little mare was so… abstract. I knew not how to approach the question, as I pondered the true well being of myself. The answer was so obviously in front of me. However I couldn’t help but to second guess myself. My mental fortitude was in shambles. I knew this, but a strong willed knight like me is unable to visibly falter. I must always stand tall for my companions. I shall be the brick wall my comrades find a place to lean on. 

I awkwardly shrug back in response to Fluttershy’s question, unable to make my answer actually audible like I wanted to. I need to stand tall but I- I can’t even say a simple yes or no to a friend. I’m an awful knight. A true coward as always. I sigh quietly under my helm and face forward, having moved next to my cream-colored companion. 

I take a glance out of the now opened door, only to be taken aback by the marvelous sight. Yet again am I breath taken by the astounding beauty this world has to offer. In my line of sight stands a city of marble and gold. Even were the city not made of such fine materials, the architectural beauty would alone make this the most extravagant city I’ve ever witnessed. Stained glass windows on every wall. Golden swirling domes on every rooftop. Towers that stood taller than the clouds. It spoke of culture and refinement. The likes you might only see within a castle.

In my shocked stupor I gasped. So stunned was I that I didn’t even notice that all of the mares and dragon had moved off on to the platform. The dragon seemed to be heaving a mountain of baggage for the white one, whilst she carried none. A true gentleman, yet his desires were clearly to be unrequited as his mistress gawked at some other stallions who wore- strangely enough- clothing. 

“I thought ponies didn’t wear clothing…” I mentioned as I caught up with the herd of ponies I was to be accompanying.

“Well it is quite true that a pony needn’t wear apparel, that is the entire point of ponies wearing it in the first place. It demonstrates class and wealth. As well, I believe that it also depicts the personality of the pony wearing said fabrics. You are aware that I am the sole proprietor of the Carousel Boutique, yes?” said Rarity, whom had glazed eyes as she mentioned the personality in clothing or whatever.

“What is a ‘boo teek’?” I asked. I received only giggles from the pastel mares in response. Rarity was rather miffed, though.

Rarity shrieked, “Has your society no class!? No style!? No appreciation for the finer things in life!?” 

I simply made another shrug in response, instead focusing on the scenery again. I had no real desire for the answer to my query. There were many well dressed ponies walking the streets in top hats and coats. A few even carried canes with large jewels encrusted upon them. The contrast between Ponyville and Canterlot was great. Applejack served as a rather handy juxtaposition for me to observe, since she was quite out of her element. From what I know about  her, she normally appears to be a stout individual, but she seems a little nervous in this environment. I can’t blame her, I’m rather nervous myself.

As our merry band of adventurers and adventuresses begins to trot their way down the street, I take in the sights. Well, the ponies trot, spike walks briskly and I take a leisurely stroll. For all their legs, it seems that the height advantage I have over them balances out our paces. An interesting little coincidence, I guess. However, what has my mind most intrigued at the moment is the scriptures written on some of the walls and signs. It’s all in such sophisticated calligraphy. So despite me not being able to understand it, I am still able to marvel at it. I keep looking this way and that, barely paying attention to what is ahead of me. 

“Ahh!” comes a high-pitched, feminine yelp at my feet.

“Hu-?” was all I could get out before my world turned horizontal and I began to fall over a mare in golden armor. Armor that seemed reminiscent of the kind that the marble men would wear in the halls of Esterfell, but poorly protected the pony underneath. I threw my hands out in front of my to break my own fall and hopefully minimize any injuries to the pony beneath me. Before I could hit the ground, my vision was filled with a light pink and the fall stopped. Time kept going though, and as I looked around in surprise I noticed that the force that stopped me from falling was quite obviously linked to Twilight Sparkle’s horn. I sighed, as she reset me to a standing position. Twilight looked winded and shocked about something.

As I was standing, so was the white mare in armor. She sighed and said, “Miss Sparkle, if you won’t put a leash on your pet creatures, then at least train them to not jump all over strangers.” I feel like I should be insulted, and I am, but then I get an idea. I lazily drop down to my knees and start panting like a dog, whimpering apologetically as well. The mare, only a little perturbed by this, sighes once more and pats my helm. “It’s okay, pal. I’m sure you didn’t mean it.” I then reach out and grab her head with an armored hand. She gags as I’m holding her by her bottom jaw with my thumb in her mouth. I then reach out with my other hand and grab her helmet. I yank the golden helmet off her head and push her to the ground again.

Standing up I present the strange helmet to myself as a trophy, putting it atop my own helm as a joke. The mare is now looking up to me as I tease her childlishly, putting my hands to the side of my head and blowing a raspberry. I took note of a few things as I took the helmet though. One, it was thin and probably wouldn’t actually stop any blows. Two, it was real gold, making its usefulness even less so. Three, the color her helmet’s plume was a deep purple as compared to the rest of the guards who I also just noticed standing around me. With spears ready to poke a whole lot of holes in me at any moment. 

“Put the helmet down now, beast!” one of the guardsponies yelled. This one was male, but aside from that he also wore a white coat. In fact, all of the guards before me wore white colored fur. Strange. He pushed his spear a little closer before shouting, “I won’t say it again, creature.”

“How can you even be sure it knows what you mean?” one of the grunts asked. I just sort of stood there casually, tilting my head slightly in confusion.

“Corrick, come on now, enough’s enough. Please act like a civilised pony,” said Twilight who was trying to de-escalate the situation. I did quite agree that things escalated pretty quickly, and I looked away from her and back to the tips of the spears. They were so… pointy. The way they shined in the midday sunlight… was there always blood there? Whose blood was it? Did they get me while I wasn’t looking? I took a step back and patted myself for wounds. When my boot struck the ground again though, it made a patter in a puddle of liquid. The smell it was so… metallic yet sulphuric. Where did the sulphur come from? 

I looked down to my body and noticed that my surcoat was stained red with cuts all over. It was tattered, actually. The wind carried the tails of what was left, and gently floated up its remains. The mail underneath glistened in the rays of sunlight. Beyond my body was the pool of blood and mud I stood in. My boots were caked and covered with the weird pasty mixture of the two. I didn’t know what to say. Where did all this come from. In shock I dropped the mare’s helm from my hands, and watched as a woman’s head splashed in the mud. The woman’s face looked familiar but I have no clue whose it was. I looked to my armored hands. They were dirty. So dirty. 

I then remembered the spears to my front. I grasped my sword and drew it half way from its scabbard, ready to meet the Aristian spearmen. I looked up and there they were in their standard garb. Aristian spearmen, wearing blue surcoats and closed bascinet-like helms with eagles cresting them. I hesitated. If I drew my sword entirely they’d have their steel buried in my gut before I could even think about cutting one of them down. I relaxed my grasp on my sword, letting it slide all back to the hilt in the scabbard. The spearmen relaxed as well. 

I lunged at the spearman straight in front of me, moving his spear to the side and pulling out my dagger. The other three shocked spearmen thrusted towards where I was only milliseconds before. One of them nicked my side but didn’t cut through the mail I wore underneath the surcoat. Tackling the head spearman was nothing short of easy, and easier still was to shove my freed dagger into stomach area before rolling to the side. I stood out of my roll and look as one of the others had stabbed their comrade on the ground. He was facing away from me. An opportunity I jumped on.

My dagger went straight through the man’s spine and flesh. It was like he wasn’t even wearing armor. I kicked the man off my blade and onto one of his battle buddies. There was only two left. They looked at me with what I could only assume was shock. After all, I could only read their body language. “Restrain him!” came a shout from behind them. It was a woman’s, though I couldn’t see who it was. The Aristians pulled women in their military now? Were they that desperate against the might of Marlheim? She was giving orders too, meaning she held a position of authority. I’d have to take her down too, once I got my hands on her. I will give her a chance to surrender of course. 

The two spearmen lunged at me simultaneously, and I took a very big risk. I took a fighting stance and made a wide and powerful roundhouse kick to the tips of their spears. It was dangerous and stupid, but I timed it right and to my benefit they got crossed up and fell over each other. They had apparently put all of their weight into the thrusts. I pull a spear from the first man’s corpse as I maneuver around the bodies like a dance. As I pull the spear out and swing it to point it at my enemies the blood on the tip flies off. I then take the spear and make a thrust for the man closest to getting up, and end up impaling him all the way through.

That spear will take too long to retrieve so I just roll and pick his up, narrowly avoiding a thrust by the last man. Unfortunately my new found weapon had snapped in its previous owner’s fall. It mattered not. I just need to get in close and shove the wooden spike into the last man’s abdomen like a stake through a vampire’s heart. The spearman made an attempt to slash at me and I jumped back, taking advantage of his recovery time and closing whatever distance his spear granted him. I grabbed the shaft of his spear and pulled him forward. Right into my boot, as I kicked him in the opposite direction. He folded in half and flew into the ground a few feet away. Weird, it’s almost as if he weighs less than he should. 

Either way, the distance he flew gave him some respite from any further attacks. He was too dazed to use that respite though. I rushed his position, almost tripping as some sort of invisible force tried to stop me. It felt like I was running through water for but a few moments. The strange feeling stopped and i threw myself into a dive, aiming to shove the wooden spike into the downed Aristian. The piece of wood deflected off of his abdomen unexpectedly and I tumbled on top of him, my shoulder landing on the visor of his bascinet. It became a fist fight from that point on.

I straddled him and began to beat at his chest and helmet mercilessly. He threw flailing punches too, and his hands hit like they were made of stone. I had to win. I need to beat this man until he stopped fighting back. I can’t believe he was still fighting after watching three of his friends die. I heard the screaming again. They sounded so real, and I put my frustrations and pain into every punch I made. 

“You,” punch, “Aristian,” punch, “flower-picking,” punch, “son of a,” punch, “bitch!”

I looked to the right and saw a rock on the ground in the mud. With an quick reach, I pulled the rock over to me and picked it up. I had to wrestle a little, since the blue-coated man beneath me tried to push me off of him. It was too late for him, for I hefted the rock above my head. Specks of mud dripped onto both of us. Our tussle in the mud left us both very dirty. However, I still needed to win, and so brought the rock down to the visor of his bascinet with as much might as I could muster. His bascinet crumpled almost too easily. The man stopped fighting back, but I brought the rock up again. And again I smashed it down into the helmet. Over and over for four more times I beat the man's head in. Blood spurted out with each strike, and a loud squelching was heard. With the last strike, I left it there in the caved in helmet. I felt no remorse for this. This isn't personal, it isn’t murder. It’s war, and I have to win. I have to live. 

The screaming kept going. I don’t know why. It was hard to hear anything besides the screaming. I grabbed the sides of my helmet and fell off of the man in pain. I curled up into the fetal position, trying to stop the noise. It never stopped. It never stops. I ground my teeth, and winced with every new noise. I close my eyes and try to stop all senses. Through it all I hear even more voices. More corporeal voices. They whispered. They shouted. They spoke. Through it all I heard one word.

“Why?” said she. It was that same damn question!

“Why, Corrick?” another voice said, this one male. “Why didn’t you help!?” he shouted at me. It was Roilles. Of course, I’m being haunted by an angry soul, aren’t I?

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“Why?”

“I don’t know! I don’t know anymore! Leave me alone! Stop yelling at me!” I shouted in return to each of the pestering voices. Though, they irritated me more than just pestering. I’m in tears.

“What don’t you know, Corrick?” came her voice. It was the voice of that lady, the one who brought me to this… place. Where am I again?

I open my eyes, and see that I’m in Canterlot on the ground in the middle of the street. My right arm and shoulder are wet. Laying directly in front of me is the corpse of a pony, whose coat is that of a soft blue. His face is… destroyed, in it was his own helm. It looked as if he was bludgeoned with his own helm. The plume was half missing and half laden with blood, bone and brain matter. Did… did I do that? I- I know I just beat an Aristian man to death but- No. No, I must have been rendered unconscious. Right? 

I need to investigate the perpetrators of this crime, and maybe win some favor with the locals. I stand up off the ground, dusting myself off to maintain dignity. I check my sword and make sure it’s secured before reaching for my dagge-

“Stay away!” I heard a mare shriek.

My dagger was missing. It must have slipped out somewhere, or maybe the person who attacked these stallions and rendered me unconscious stole it. That’s a possibility as well. I turn to meet the origin of the shriek. Before me were the six mares whom I’d arrived with. They all look terrified. They must have seen the assailant then. They must have seen him at work. I’ll admit, whoever butchered those ponies is a special kind of sick. To murder in broad daylight and so brazenly during a time of peace. I sigh, and take a step towards the mares.

“Who did thi-” was all I managed to get out before being interrupted. 

“I said stay back!” yelled… Fluttershy of all ponies. Was she yelling at me? I looked around, and behind me. There’s no way I could be mistaken. But why? She had tears in her eyes and was giving me a glare that broke my heart. Were- were we not comrades? She looked so mad, but-

“M-miss Fluttershy?” I croaked, my gravelly voice being especially low.

“Don’t worry, mares, I’ll keep it busy. Run to the palace! Don’t stop until you get there!” a pegasus mare shouted as they flew in between me and the group. She was one of the armored ones but lacked her helmet. Her voice unmistakably belonged to the white mare guard from earlier, but her coat was a shade of pink. Maybe I saw things differently before. The sun must have reflected off of her fur or something like that. 

The six mares obliged the guard and bolted down the road. Spike rode on Twilight’s back, having ditched the mountain of carry on. He was crying. If he saw those guards… he will never be able to unsee what he saw today. It will be etched into his memory for eternity. The group turned a corner, and I began to run after them.

“H-hey,” I shouted, “Wait fo-” Something caught my leg, causing me to trip. The impact with the ground stung and knocked the wind out of me.

“You’re not goin’ anywhere, you bastard,” the guard mare shouted angrily as she walked onto my back. “Now, make a move and I shove my sword through you’re depraved skull,” she stated, emphasizing her point by jabbing her sword under my helmet and into the base of head, where it joined with my neck. “But for my sake and yours, by all means, please move. I want you dead and your corpse to rot in an unmarked grave for killing my fri- my stallions. But unlike you, I don’t kill without a reason. So give me one!” She shouted that final sentence. It seemed like she was crying or about to. She and her troops must have been a close knit group.

“I said give me one, you monster!” she cried. She stomped a hoof into my back. “Let me kill you!”

“Miss… I understand you're upset-” I said, trying to get her to not stomp on me any further. My plan backfired as that line seemed to upset her more than it did to console her. She stomped twice more. I think something popped, and my arm feels like it's on fire. I let out a pained cry. 

“No you don’t! You have no idea what it’s like to have all of your friends die right in front of you! To have them look into your eyes as they helplessly meet their death! You’re just a dumb monster. A big, dumb, ugly monster who eats ponies and kill families and friends!” she cries. I want so badly to say how much I really can relate, but I can’t speak through the stomping, the pain, and my clenched teeth. I don’t know why she hates me so much, I only took her helmet. I know I did. Then I was incapacitated. Surely she must not have seen what happened, and is jumping to conclusions.

I grit my teeth and say nothing, giving up and hoping she just calms down on her own. Of course, she doesn’t but I need to stay quiet until someone stops her delusional self or until she gets tired. Without my prompting further discourse, I find myself mostly un-stomped on for the next few minutes. In that time I painfully relived the deaths of my friends. I wish she hadn’t said that. I’m not a monster, either. Or… maybe I am. Maybe I did lose my humanity during the war. Maybe I lost it far before then when my parents were… Was I ever human to begin with? All I know is that this guardsmare’s words moved me far more than she could’ve thought. 

The sounds of various sets of hooves clopping on the marble flagstone indicates a large group of ponies drawing near. I look up in hopes of seeing Miss Fluttershy and her friends, but the small glimpse I’m afforded before my head is smooshed into the ground again dissipates my hopes. The ponies who had arrived seemed to be a escort of guards. I think the lead one wore a purple suit of armor that looked heavier than the standard golden armor, but I had less than a second to see. I sighed in defeat. 

“Thank you, Sergeant. We can handle it from here. Your service to the crown and her glory shall not go unrewarded. As well, I offer my deepest condolences for your comrades,” said a stallion. His voice seemed only a little raspy but mainly young, nothing I’d expect from what appeared to be some sort of high ranking military personnel. The mare hesitantly stepped off of my back, but I didn’t get up. I’m stricken with a heavy plague of defeatism. There was no way that I was going to be anything useful to this world with this sort of display. Perhaps me being here at all is a mistake. I can easily fix that, though with the accusations currently pointed at me, it seems the justice system will be more than happy to fix things for me.

The group of guards doesn’t even bother to ask me to get up. Oddly enough, the first try to bind my hands with some sort of magic cuffs, but the only last a few moments before flashing brightly and then going out leaving me free. After another attempt they just take out some rope and hogtie me. Then the one in purple armor lifts me up with his magic. Before long he gets a strained look on his face and drops me. I put two and two together, and note that magic seems to have an odd effect when used on me. I’m then plopped onto the back of one of the stallions and carried away.

I don’t struggle at all through this process. In fact I don’t move a muscle on my own. As we walk by the corpses of the fallen guards I realized the extreme similarity between how the Aristians died, and how these men- ponies were murdered. Tears well in my eyes, and I deny once more that I could have in any way been responsible for their deaths. I was unconscious and have no memories of any sort of fight with ponies. I give a final sigh as I let the ponies carry me away from the scene. The sight of blood is always one that chills me to the core.
> Ch.3 - The Rules of the Game
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

’The ghosts of a civilization long fallen are the scariest thing Humanity faces today. Some have moved on from what once was; These men are our hope. Yet, poor fools still cling to what we were, and they will be the end of us.


~ Leonard the Hermit’






Night had sunk in as the sun fell valiantly below the horizon. I had not the chance to view the sunsets majesty from my cell. The pony soldiers carried me into the palace dungeons. It’s a dark and decrepit place. No one has been housed here in years, and it shows. Mold grows in a damp corner of my cell, and the once strong iron bars that keep me in here have rusted brown. When they first tried to lock me in here, the lock itself had broken to the point where it would not open for the key. With some elbow grease, the key snapped inside the lock and the guards had to get the royal locksmith to come down. It was honestly pretty funny, but I had not the energy to laugh.

There was a small window from the surface to my cell, and through it blazed the light of the moon. It was the only light in the dungeons now, since the sconces had been declared a fire hazard by the resident warden. Through that window though moisture was let in. I have no clue what could be causing the moisture, since it was not raining, but each dripping noise of the droplets falling to the small puddle left me with a sensation of isolation. This isolation was not overwhelming, but just enough to get me to notice. It left me in the proper mood to ponder. Perhaps that may just be the design of this place, which is pretty clever.

‘I didn’t even get three hundred paces from the station before getting myself locked up,’ I thought to myself. ‘I’m- I’m a murderer. To kill a man in a time of peace… I thought I had some semblance of honor.’ I had come to my senses a while after reaching the dungeons. It was heartbreaking, and I still had tears stinging at my eyes. The guards took all of my armor and weapons, as expected, so I had no helmet to hide my shameful look. It was because of that I buried my face in my hands. I seethed in agony from the shattering idea that I had been the monster I was trying to run from. 

The visions of the fight that I had with the Aristians faded into those of a battle with pony guards. The men seemed lighter because they didn’t weigh as much as a human does, but of a large dog. The wooden shaft of that spear deflected off that man’s abdomen because it hit the solid armor of a guardspony. The blood though, that flew from the Aristian’s bascinet as I bludgeoned his face… that was real. It felt so wrong… All of it. My memories battled each other in my mind for dominance. They barely matched in anything except of my actions. My murderous, horrendous, heinous actions. I’m no knight. I don’t deserve the honor of that title. I was a coward before, having run from the war, but I was never a murderer until today.

Now, I’ve done my fair share of killing in battle before, but this isn’t war. This isn’t right. This isn’t justifiable, and I’d be willing to condemn myself to death. ‘God end me!’  I mentally screamed, ‘Send me to Hell, kill me over a thousand years of pain a thousand times for every pony that died today!’ I began to weep into my hands, wetting them with salty tears. It was the least I could do, to mourn for those I killed. I need to attone. I need to avenge them, and I shall do that by going quietly to the chopping block. May God have mercy on their souls, and allow them into the gates of that glorious Heaven.

I was sitting uncomfortably with my bare back against the cold stone wall. To my right were the bars, and to the left was the wall with the window. My back was bare simply because I didn’t have a shirt. I was allowed my trousers, and nothing else. They had originally stripped me bare, but as my genitalia is exposed… Well, the mare I’m charge for simply blushed and handed the garments back. It was the mare from before, the one who’s friends- the one I took the helmet from. At least, I’m fairly certain it was the same mare. Her voice was the same and her helmet had the same plume, but she had a white coat. I was- and still am- gagged, so I couldn’t ask about it, but I doubt she would have said anything. It isn’t like I deserved a response either way.

Suddenly, the clopping of hooves could be heard down the hall. With it was a faint torch light. There was a heavy set of hoof steps, surrounded by multiple lighter sets. The heaviest set seemed slower too, indicating a longer stride. There was still no voice to listen to, since that group traveled without words. Traveling at a leisurely pace, it was like they weren’t keeping someone waiting. Well, I’m not going anywhere, but the anticipation was dreadful. Such should be my fate, I suppose. Every second I breath is another second those ponies couldn’t.

Finally the group of equines had arrived in front of me. The torch light was good enough to give me a good view of all of them, however there was only one who stood out. A towering mare bearing both wings and a horn. Her coat was a pure white that somehow out-whited her escort. Her main and tail flowed elegantly in celestial draft that only existed for her, and her magenta eyes glowed warmly in a deep, cold disapproving manner. The expression her face wore was equally disapproving and cold. The towering mare also wore a golden yoke and golden horseshoes. It was simple but classy.

The white mare nodded to her escort and they trotted away, carrying the torch with them. As they disappeared down the hall, along with it traveled the last glowing remnants of light. Now all that remained was the light the barely seeped in through the tiny window I had. It didn’t even escape the rusted bars. I could tell this was the one who had to be the princess. She matched the description given to me by Miss Fluttershy aptly. So, being in the presence of royalty, I said nothing. I will wait until I’m spoken to.

She scoffed before saying, “Hmph, this is a strange feeling you’ve given me. I’m used to ponies clamoring to their knees and planting their faces to the ground,” as she pulled the gag out of my mouth with her magic.

I turned my gaze to my toes, which lay at the ends of my outstretched legs. “Such is the way of greeting one’s ruler,” I said quietly. Those were the first words I had spoken since being captured, and my voice was especially grindy. She seemed taken aback by that very voice, which does do wonders to intimidate. I of course couldn’t see the expression she held, but I did hear the shifting of her body. It was sudden, which tells me that it was far from a casual shift in stance. She shifted back. “But I have no allegiance as of current.”

“I see,” she paused before saying, “You know, I wasn’t expecting another so soon.”

That got my attention, and I perked up at her words. “What do you mean by that, Fair Lady?”

Celestia giggled at that. “‘Fair Lady’? Are you from the medieval ages? Ahh, pardon me. It doesn’t matter. God of War, you are to pledge allegiance to me for a century or until pardoned of your crimes, as in accordance with the rules enforced by the council.” Her words shocked and confused me, bringing up a few questions.

Then, a new voice chimed in, a female’s. That female sighed before saying, “Nay, Sister Dearest. Thou knowest the rules well, and thus thou knowest that thine prisoner is exempt until he goeth forth unto the council and is informed of them to their fullest.” I didn’t hear her walk in... but what are these rules? And who is this council?

“Luna, you couldn’t wait just a moment longer. He would have pledged and been bound regardless of the rules,” said Celestia. She planned to trick me? Cunning, and my first impression of Celestia is a good one. She is intelligent, or at least acts like it. “Also, Luna, I love you but please do drop the fake dialect. It rather annoys me.” 

Luna only sighed to her sister’s wish. “Fine,” she said, sounding only a little frustrated, before picking up again, “Anyways, we do need to have the council convene. The newbie over here needs to get his orientation.” Luna used her horn to create a magic light that illuminated the area in a soft blue glow. Newbie? What does that mean? Is she insulting me? These two have said the most confusing things I’ve heard in my time here. Although my time has been admittedly short. I then decided I needed to say something.

“What the fuck is going on?” came my gravelly voice, obviously irritated with confusion.

“All will be revealed soon. Don’t worry, Sir Corrick.” Luna said softly, smiling softly. She knew my name, it seems. It didn’t surprise me. I’m sure Miss Fluttershy and them had told everything to the princess by now. This Luna character was definitely somewhat strange to me. I never heard of a Luna from Miss Fluttershy when she gave me an introduction to Equestria. She looked just as important as Celestia, if a little shorter. Her color scheme was comprised of deep blues and her main and tail held within them the night sky. She was very pretty, I could not deny.

“Well, Sis, since you ruined my fun, we may as well gather the council now. Come, let us prepare.” Luna nodded to her sister, and they walked off, taking with them the light. Before Luna exited my view, she gave me a soft smile. Again I was in the darkness, alone. I’m so confused right now. They referred to me as the God of War. Is that what the mysterious woman made me? I let out a deep sigh. They were able to identify me as well, not just by my name, but as an ageless being too. I may not be the only being from another world here…

Suddenly I was stricken by a bout of exhaustion and realized that it must be very late. I yawn, and stretch my limbs to the best of my ability. There was a pile of straw underneath me, so I just rotated my body and laid down in it. I laid there on my back, staring at the ceiling above me, eyes heavy with how tired I was. I gave in, seeing sleep as harmless. I guess I’ll have to wait for the council to meet. By the sounds of it, it should be soon, so I need to be ready. Well there isn’t much I can do to be ready anyways, I suppose. I let out yet another sigh, letting the grasp of sleep take hold of me entirely.

Two minutes passed before I heard shuffling around me. I didn’t want to open my eyes though, but a pair of feet shuffled towards me. Feet. I was sure of it, but I haven’t seen other humans in Equestria, and none like me exist, from what I’ve been told. Was I lied to? I-

“Come now, Sir Corrick. Get up, you are lucid, are you not?” My eyes shot open, and I scrambled away from what stood near my feet, only to bump into a pair of legs behind me. At my feet stood a girl who could be no older than twenty. She had jet black hair and wore strange clothing. From bottom to top, she had strange looking boots, trousers that were a strange mesh of green black and brown, a weird coat made of leather with a weird symbol dyed on her left breast, and shirt underneath the coat that had the same symbol dyed on it. It was so very strange, I’d never seen such fine dye work, or really anything in her style of clothing. It was also weird that she wore trousers too.

I looked up and immediately blushed, as I looked up the skirt of a blonde haired woman. She was staring right back at me with big brown eyes. She seemed confused for a moment but then her cheeks turned bright red as she seemed to realize why I was blushing. She took several steps back, making a quiet yelp. I flopped onto the floor as I was propped up on that lady’s legs before. She wore somewhat normal clothing, an elegant white dress that was simple but wonderfully designed to have polygonal shapes dyed in black that flowed only in the lower right corner of it. This lady wore jewelry in her ear lobes as well. I would describe the undergarments she wore, but that wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me. 

The girl with the black hair piped up again, “Okay, okay, get up and quit ogling my sister!” I looked back to her, and she was a light shade of pink too. Obviously she was quite annoyed as well. She crossed her arms and lightly kicked at my boots. Boots. I was wearing all of my standard gear, bar my great helm. Even my dagger and sword were there. Looking around  it was also clear that I was no longer in the Canterlot dungeons. We were in a white walled room that had a round obsidian table in the center. The centerpiece of that table was a large, pink crystal the jutted out of the table and glowed ominously. The floor was the same material as the table, as were the chairs the surrounded the table. I looked back to the girl with black hair. Her light blue eyes glared at me.

“W-who are you?” I asked. “And where am I?”

Her expression then softened to that of a look of friendliness. “Oh right, you’re a newbie, I forgot,” she stated while letting out a low chuckle. “It’s Luna, and she is Celestia.” Luna pointed behind me. “Yes, I know we look nothing like the Alicorns you met.  That’s simply because we come into this realm as our real selves. All of the Gods here are human, from the same world, just different times, but we’ll explain that bit more later. Come on. On your feet, soldier.” She offered me a hand. I accepted her offer and, with her help, stood to my feet. “The others will be here soon. You can go to your seat, if you want, but don’t sit down ‘till everyone else gets here, ‘kay?”

“A-alright. Does it matter which seat I take?” I asked meekly. Luna shrugged, and pointed to the seat closest to me. I took cautious steps as I walked over to the seat. I stood in between it and the table pensively, waiting for the ‘others’. Mentally, I gathered questions that I needed to ask. My mind was racing, and my body was shaking. Slowly, people began to materialize in the room. It was unlike anything I’d imagine. I blinked and the room was full. I looked around between everyone there, a tense atmosphere thickening. Each man or woman was dressed differently, but most of them had clothing that at least looked similar in quality and style.

There were, at the table, four men and three women. Those numbers included me and both of the sisters whom I’d already met. Most of the people looked at least similar, but there were indeed a couple who stood out. In particular, a beautiful young woman with red hair wore clothing that seemed most similar to what the ladies of the nobility would wear. I myself had never seen a girl with red hair though, as they were only really common in the lands of Kaltia. Her frilly dress was that of a deep purple with golden hems. She also wore three of the most expensive looking necklaces I think I’ve ever seen. I recognized those colors too, but I cannot think of where from. 

There were also two men who stood out from the rest. The first was a large man who stood out not because of his clothing, but the look of despair he kept with him. He did not raise his eyes from the table, but looked to be sulking eternally. His face bared a few scars that looked to tell stories of famed battles. The look on his face, however, told me that these great battles must have had a great cost. And with that I can sympathize, though only to an extent. I guess it was only until recently that I had considered many of my companions to be expandable. Loss is a part of war, and I can’t- couldn’t allow myself to be too attached to the men I worked with. If they died I would not want to be burdened with a heavy heart and a damaged morale. 

And the last man who gained my attention had eyes with pupils that differed in color from each other. His shoulder-length hair was white as snow and slicked back with some sort of grease. Other than that I suppose he could fit in rather well with the others. He had an average build for a man and his clothing fit snugly on him. He looked at me while I was staring, gave me a large smile and waved. I waved back hesitantly, only to look back to the center piece and stare intensely at it. 

I balled my hands into fist and stood up as straight as I could. Then, suddenly I felt someone’s hand on my shoulder. Looking towards the source, I found out it was none other than Princess Luna. She looked into my eyes and carried with her a soft and encouraging smile. Luna leaned on to me, and whispered to my ear, “Relax, man. You don’t need to be worried.”

That was comforting. As I relaxed, she release her grip on my arm and stood normally in front of her chair again. I took a deep breath and sighed a deep sigh, letting go of my worries and confusion for now. The table was now surrounded by people, though a few spots were empty. There were twelve chairs in total, but only nine of them were filled. I wondered if there were others that didn’t show, or if those spots were for guests. I guess I’m glad more people didn’t show up, it’d just make me more anxious. 

Celestia cleared her throat and said, “Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have the minimum number of people for the council session to begin. The rest of us have informed me that they are busy and will not be able to attend, though they wish to pass on their regards to our newest member.” Celestia looked towards me, gesturing towards my presence. She then picked back up again, “And so, that brings up the topic of our meeting today. As you can see, this fellow over here is our new God of War.” I bowed before the council. “Please, introduce yourself.”

I stood straight again, and looked at the faces of the council members. “I am…” I hesitated, considering whether or not I should give my title, since I’m not sure I deserved it. Starting again, I spoke, “I am Sir Corrick of Esterfell, a knight errant of Marlheim.” To my surprise, the beautiful woman with the red hair gasped loudly, looking at me bewildered. “Uhm… ma’am are you quite alright?” I asked, puzzled by her reaction.

“You… You said you are from Esterfell, yes? Near the northern shores of Marlheim?” I nodded. “Does… do you know a man named Erich?” 

“Erich the Stalwart? Lord Esterfell’s champion?” She gave a small nod, and I continued on, “I knew him well, he…” I spoke softer, “He was my trainer, and my friend.” The red-haired lady then asked me if he was in good health. My expression turned grave, and I clenched my fist. “Castle Esterfell… Castle Esterfell was demolished with everyone still inside, including the Lord and his champion. There was… a blinding flash of light a-and… and…” I didn’t say anymore. The lady got the general idea and stared at the table sadly. 

“Well, I should think now’s not the time to be all sad and sulky. Isn’t that right, Mr. Hansen?” the man with the blue and green eyes said, draping an arm over the big, sad looking man. “Let’s all introduce ourselves! I’ll go first, I am Discord, the God of Chaos.” Discord bowed gracefully.

The red-haired lady went next. “I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, though I go by Cadence. I am the Goddess of Love,” Cadence said as she curtsied.

“I am Celestia, Goddess of the Light. As well I am a co-ruler of Equestria. I rule alongside my sister…” Celestia then motioned for her sister to go.

“Luna, Goddess of the Night. Though we aren’t actually sisters, we are very close.” Luna nodded. 

The next person to introduce themselves was the one person I had yet to pay much mind too. He was a fairly average looking man in all aspects. Not too tall. Not too wide. Not too strong. He had short brown hair, brown eyes and a stubble on his chin. He was wearing a plain shirt and blue pants. No jewelry or anything. He spoke up and said, “I’m Magnus the Wicked, God of Destruction.” He was so casual about that, but his title was disconcerting.

There was only one man left to introduce themselves, it was the tall one. He had a vest about a blue sweater that was painted with a similar symbol to that of the one Luna wore on her jacket. For the first time, he looked up and straight into my eyes with a cold set of sad, icy blue eyes. He cleared his throat and said quietly, “I am Balthazar, God of the Forsaken.” After he finished his meager sentence, he went back to staring at the table.

“Aha!” Discord exclaimed, “Now we all know each other. Excellent, great, marvelous!” He then softened his tone and continued by saying, “I believe the next part is the one where we tell him the rules, yes?” Celestia gave a curt nod. “Yay! My favorite part, can I tell him? Oh please let me tell him, I hardly ever get to talk to anyone while stuck in that boring rock.”

Celestia furrowed her brows and thought about it, weighing her options carefully. “I guess there is nothing wrong with you telling him. Just make sure you cover everything.”

“Oh come now, Dear Sunbutt, there are only three rules. How could I possibly balls it up?” Discord teased, to which Celestia turned her face indignantly. Discord grinned, then faced me. “Alright, kiddo. Listen up. These are the only three rules all of the Gods at this here council have to abide by. Rule numero uno, don’t touch the crystal at the center of the table here,” he gestured towards the pink crysta, “It really doesn’t like being touched, mmk?”

“What he meant to say was the crystal kinda sorta makes you explode into a bunch of little pieces that no one in the council wants to clean up,” Magnus corrected.

“Right right, it wasn’t that important anyways. Okay, second, any incursion on another God’s claim deems you subject to one hundred years of servitude or until that God pardons you. Of course, you can always go to war with that God and force yourself to be pardoned, but seeing as you’re the God of War I’d advise heavily against that.” Discord noticed my confusion before explaining his point further, “When you were born into this land, did you feel any surge of power?” I shook my head. “Well, you see. God’s get their power from the aspect they rule over. I’m a very powerful God, since chaos feeds chaos and so on and so on. However, thanks to Ol’ Celly over there, there haven’t been wars on Equus in centuries. Therefore, you have no godly power.”

No wars, huh? Was the divine being lying to me then? I’d see the world falling apart more if there was at least one major conflict, but no wars means all the countries are living peacefully together. Maybe… Maybe I’ll be able to take that break I wanted after all. Wait, no, I have something I need to do before I take that break. I gripped the hilt of my sword to feel it's comforting solidity in my hands. The familiarity of this sword, one that has been mine for years, is something that I will never forget. It is one of the few things that sticks with me in times of strife. It comforts me with its presence, like a toy to a child.

“Wait a minute. Hey! Are you even paying attention? Gah! The gall.” My head snaps to attention as I realized I had been failing to pay attention to Discord while he explained the last rule.

“My apologies,” I said, “I was off in my mind. Would you please repeat rule three for me?”

Discord crossed his arms, frowning, then looking away. “Only if you beg.”

“W-what?”

“You heard me, beg for it. I want you to beg for the oh-so benevolent Discord to forgive you and enlighten him.” His expression was all too serious for the request.

“There’s no way I’m begging over a silly mistake like that.” I responded flatly.

“Then I guess you won’t know the rule. Oh well.” Discord shrugged.

“The third rule is that you can’t speak about the Gods to any being on Equus. It’d freak out and divide the populace.” Celestia explained nonchalantly.

I thanked celestia while Discord sat there with his mouth agape. “You always ruin my fun Celly, no fair,” he pouted. 

“Someone’s gotta do it,” she retorted with a shrug. This put a smile on my face despite the somewhat serious meaning of the conversation we were having. Celestia then began again, “So, that should be about it for this convent. We’d normally also explain how a God’s power is gained, but we already went over that. Anyone have any final words before we depart?”

“I do have something of an announcement to make.” I said quietly. Celestia nodded towards me and allowed me to make my statement. Standing up, I walked over beside Celestia’s chair and and knelt after drawing my sword and holding it up to offer to her. I then said aloud, “Celestia, for having broken rules I was unaware of and shaming myself in your capital city, I offer my blade to you so that I may pledge fealty for the next one-hundred years of my life or until I am pardoned.”
> Ch.4 - White
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

’The Church of Solar Light is nothing but a bunch of thugs, who pose as a political party for the worship of Her Majesty. I don’t believe they should be a legal entity, and I hope the court of nobles will share this opinion today during the hearing’ 


~Anonymous Interview for the Canterlot Times, issued on the 13th of Summer, 936 Post Discord.





“Celestia, for having broken rules I was unaware of and shaming myself in your capital city, I offer my blade to you so that I may pledge fealty for the next one-hundred years of my life or until I am pardoned. I will serve twenty-five years for each pony slain. Though I know it’s not enough, I wish to serve a purpose greater than my own to honor their memories.” I said, submitting to fair punishment. Ignorance is not exactly a good excuse. I knelt there for what seemed like minute, waiting for a response. Then, as I was about to look up, I felt the blade lifted from my hands.

“Is that so? Why do you think I should even want you in my service?” Celestia asked calmly, voice cold and steely.

“It is not for me to decide, however my excellence in combat, tactics and strategy are invaluable.” I wasn’t expecting her to want to be convinced. She seemed eager to take advantage of my ignorance earlier. Maybe she thinks I’m up to something. She can rest assured though, I have but honest intent.

“How can you prove this?” She asked.

“Celestia, I think his words have merit.” Said Cadence. I didn’t have to turn my head to know that she had said it. “I knew his trainer well. Erich the Stalwart was the single best swordsman wherever he went. If he spent a considerable amount of time training Corrick, then Corrick will be better than any of your guards, and most of the army. Of this I’m certain.”

“I see,” Celestia paused, “Well then, I believe I’ll make good use of you.” She then laid the flat of the blade on either of my shoulders before reaching out a hand to me. I accepted the help up, and bowed my head. “Sir Corrick, I hereby knight you Sir Corrick the White.” That title is an unexpected honorific, but I said nothing to object. I think I can grow fond of it. 

Suddenly I felt a presence on my chest and in my groin. I realized it was Celestia, who had pressed herself against me, staring into my eyes and pressing her leg to my sensitive area. She then slowly slid my sword into its scabbard, rubbing my chest with a sultry hand. She moved her head in very close to my face, and I blushed. Then she leaned further and put her mouth next to my left ear and whispered, “We will discuss your job further in the palace. You better prove useful, or I’ll have to to remove you from my service.” She emphasized her point by drawing a line across my throat with her finger.

“But, should you prove more than useful…” she trailed off. She then kissed my cheek and said, “I like to repay the favor.” My cheeks and ears were hot. I had never received such attention from ladies. I was always too busy soldiering. Even after we captured an enemy town or liberated one of our own, I was always in the camp outside keeping to myself and cleaning my equipment. Meanwhile, the others would have been having a good time in a brothel. Sex for money is a dirty business, especially with such nasty men taking part in it. Well, it was only for money if it was our town and not an enemy’s. 

My head came back to reality as it came to mind that I’m staring deeply into Celestia’s eyes. I looked away and mumbled quietly, “Any task you give me, I’m certain I can complete with proper resources and time.” Her leg was still making me uncomfortable with its position, and I could do nothing to quell the redness in my face. I let out an awkward sigh.

“Confident are you? I think that makes me want you to succeed.” Celestia whispered sultrily before pushing me away and looking back to the table. “If no one has any other announcements,” she paused, waiting for anyone to speak up, “then I hereby adjourn this convent.” With that, she closed her eyes and the room filled with a thick fog. It was so blindingly dense that I couldn’t see my arms through it as I waved them around. 

I blinked and I was laying in my cell with a couple guards standing outside of it, shouting something incomprehensible. I held my hand to my head as I dizzily got up. If I had eaten anything in the past day I would have thrown up from the nausea that the spinning world caused. Everything was so blurry. I tripped on some of the straw I slept on while walking towards the bars. Just barely was I able to catch myself and break my fall on the bars by clasping my hands around them.

My hearing was slowly coming back to me. “Hey! Quit acting dramatic and get your act together.” came a female guard’s voice. This voice was all too familiar to be without a name at this point, but I still didn’t have hers.

I sputtered and coughed before replying, “You again. What is your name? I run into you too often to not know it by now.”

“My name isn’t going to be sullied by a pathetic monster such as yourself. Now that you’re responsive, put this on.” She threw some items in between the bars, and at my abdomen, causing me to double over. I looked down and it was a pile of clothing and armor. Familiar looking clothing and armor. I hurriedly put it on as soon as I could, and the mare threw my boots in as well. Strapping the metal shin guards over the boots, pauldrons over the top of my surcoat and securing my great helm tightly into place, I felt I was ready to take any blow that my foes could muster. No longer was I weak. With this armor I am strong.

The door to my cell opened and the guards asked me to step out, handing my weapons to me as I did so. I strapped my sword to my left hip, and my dagger on a strip of leather that hung tightly around my chest like a sash. I felt a bit of pride, wearing my armor and donning my sword in the service of someone to whom I’m greatly indebted. I shouldn’t be proud, but for me it was like I was taking my first stride towards retribution and atonement. God must be smiling on me. The mare with the purple plume jabbed my side.

“Alright, Corrick, you are going to meet the Solar Princess in the throne room, before the entirety of the day court. She requested that you have your weapons with you, something about a warrior needing his weapons when he faces judgement. Anyways, have luck on your executi- erm… trial.” I see, so my first orders from the princess are to die. I didn’t know she wanted me to die for my crimes. All is fair I suppose. Death is my responsibility. I will not be able to keep my word on the saving of Equus. This will have been my greatest blunder, and I deserve my punishment.

My escort of guards lead me to the throne room through hallways that were decorated in a much grander scale than Castle Esterfell ever had been. One could steal one of the vases on display and probably be able to live for a year on the funds they’d receive for selling it. And then the stories woven into the beautiful tapestries that were hanged everywhere. There was one of a great mage pony, and another of an evil serpent looking thing. These tapestries must have been based on real happenings, or so I’d bet since this world seems to be beyond me.

We had made it to the door to the throne room. It was gilded with gold, as was most of the building. Two guards stood on either side with spears. Their armor looked different then my escort’s. They wore armor that was bare more than a few pieces of gold around their barrel. They must think they’re safe in the middle of a palace. However, palaces weren’t built for defense like castles. One could storm a palace with a mob of five hundred men and take the thing over. The guards didn’t bat an eye to me, instead they focused on the purple plumed mare. 

“Ho, Sergeant, Sir. Reason for entry?” the guard on the right asked. 

“Prisoner escort.” the mare replied curtly. The guard then spared a glance towards me. He was uneasy. 

“I-Is that the thing that killed four-” the guard stopped before regaining his composure. He put on a straight face and nodded to the mare. His companion ceremoniously walked to the middle of the doors, opening the quickly and gracefully. It was then that the original guard marched through and to the right. His march creating loud hoof steps on the marble floor. Through the door I could see two masses of ponies gathered on either side of a red carpet that flowed down the middle of the room. Surrounding the ponies was a red rope attached to perfectly spaced gold posts. The door lead into the left side of the room, between the ponies and the throne.

The guard cleared his throat before announcing, “Here enters the defendant, your highness.” He said it with a loud and booming voice. He has been doing this job for a while. My escorts pushed me forward, almost making me lose balance as I entered the room. From the moment I was through the doorway I began to walk on my own, armor clinking loudly through the silence of the hall. There were no whispers from the onlookers, just silence. I moseyed my way to the center of the room, where the carpet ended a few meters from the throne.

Upon that very chair sat the… pegacorn… form of Celestia. The Goddess of the Light she was indeed. Sunlight spilled straight through the stained glass windows. It was beautiful and pure, and left my heart satisfied. If this is where I’d be sentenced to death, then so be it. Although, I know I won’t die today. Celestia has something up her sleeve. Something I probably won’t like, but won’t kill me.

As I stood in the center of the room, I dropped to a knee, and bowed before my Princess. As I did so, I unsheath my sword and and held it tip down on the ground as I knelt. It sort of looked as if I were praying to the Goddess, but praying I was not. I have not knelt like this in a long time. As a minor vassal of Titus, I never met him often. The only time I did, I did not bow out of respect. Not for Titus. Not ever.

“My lady,” I said humbly.

“Sir Corrick,” she said excitedly, “It’s been such a long time.” I kept my head down to hide my confusion. She was acting like we were old friends. This was part of her plan, so I would play along. 

“Indeed, Princess.”

“Tell me, good friend, why is it that you have come to my kingdom and caused such a ruckus in my capital?” She asked curiously. I looked to her face and she subtly winked at me. That was my que.

“Princess Celestia, I have come to be knighted a vassal to your crown.” I announced, staring at her. I tried to read her expressions but there was a mask she wore. Then she smile and raised an eyebrow.

“Ahh, so you killed four from my army to display your skill?”

“I- Yes, my lady. Though, it was not my intent to kill, only defeat. I got carried away once I saw the spears.” Playing along to her game was quite easy. She practically spoon fed my responses.

“I see… You are considerably skilled to have killed those ponies. They were some of the best I have.” She said softly, then paused as if to weigh the pros and cons of having me a knight under her banner. “Very well, Sir Corrick. You shall be my knight.” She stepped down from her throne, and walked towards me at an agonizingly slow pace.

She stood a little more than a meter away, taking the sword out of my hands with her magic, and laying the flat of the blade on either of my shoulders before sheathing it for me once again. “Now rise, my knight, and answer now to the name of Sir Corrick the White. And as my personal knight, I will place you in command of troops worthy of your caliber. Sergeant Magenta, step forward!”

“Y-yes, your Highness.” The mare who had been a thorn in my side answered meekly. She marched forward and knelt beside me. Well, the pony way of kneeling.

“Please show the new commander of the 88th Heavy Shock Cavalry to his new barracks.” Celestia proudly announced. The mare beside me- Magenta it seemed- flinched before looking up in absolute shock and terror.

“E-excuse me, Princess, but… you don’t mean to say that this monster is the new commander, do you?” She asked worriedly. I myself was surprised to be put in command of troops so soon. I knew she had something up her sleeve, but not this.

“Mean it I do, Sergeant. Now please, this trial is over. Sir Corrick the White will be in need of a tour. Please attend to his every need, and make sure he is well fed, as he did not eat last night.” Celestia confirmed rather resolutely. At the mention of food my stomach growled, rather loudly too, in front of the entire court. “See what I mean?” she giggled.

“But, Princess!” Magenta yelled, exasperated. She then caught a look of the sternest stare I have ever seen, and none other than Celestia was handing it out. “Yes, my liege. Your orders will be fulfilled, to the best of my ability!” The mare shouted, saluting the Princess, then grabbing my arm in her mouth. She then began dragging me out of the room. Through her teeth she said, “Come on, Shir Corrick, letsh get thish tour over with.”

Celestia watched with a grin as the Sergeant dragged her new commander out of the throne room and back through the door they came in from. It was an amusing sight to her, but she could tell that the nobility in the court was very displeased. For all they knew, she just gave away one of the most highly respected positions in the Grand Solar Army of Equestria. But they didn’t know much of what was happening behind the scenes, so Celestia found herself caring very little about the nobility and their opinions. Word that the Crystal Empire has returned has not escaped the mouths of but a scant few generals and advisors. 

The side door to the throne room slammed shut as Magenta pulled a human knight kicking and screaming. He shouted things like, “Let me go!” and, “I have legs, allow me to use them!” but it was all in vain. That mare can be fussy, but she does a good job for her temper. Celestia looked back among the crowds of Nobility and commoners, smiling a joyfully fake smile. She wore a mask that fit her face better than any before her. She could even deceive Gods with her ability. That knight being an exception, since he has only been around for less than a single life time. It wouldn’t be fair to compare him to the others yet. That’d be like comparing the gullibility of an adult to a child.

“Ahem,” Celestia cleared her throat before addressing the court, “Excuse me, dearest mares and gentlestallions. Day court is cancelled for today and tomorrow, as I have important business to tend to.” She then stood up and took a step down from the throne, only to pause as she heard cries of outrage from ponies who’d been waiting all day to be heard by her. She felt her blood boil with anger that they dare think their problems were actually worth listening to. They didn’t know better though, so she let her frustrations go with a sigh and asked her guards to escort the displeased masses out of the palace.

With that taken care of, she walked through the palace halls to her intended destination. She gave sideways glances to random bits and baubles that she’d been gifted throughout the years. Silly things that had no value in the face of what she received in turn. Diplomatic relationships and a hoof around the affairs of nations. That was real power. The power to bend nations to your whim with a threat to reveal some skeletons in the closet. Mortals care too much about their precious reputations, and Celestia knew this. It made sense to her too, since their precious lives were so short, where comparatively she could just wait until everyone who hates her dies. Time means very little of it when you have an overabundance of the stuff. 

Celestia paused to take a look at a very particular item displayed on the wall. It was a sword with ancient runes etched along the length of the blade. Despite the fairly similar histories of the previous objects, this one differed heavily. It belonged to one of the strongest warriors to fight under the Equestrian banner. They had fought when Equestria was a name to unite those who were afraid of chaos. When Equestria was a dream of a small group of six friends who had set out to make the world a better place. Celestia turned away from the blade and continued walking down the hall to the war room. She had more pressing matters at hand than to revel in fond memories.

As she passed guards, they saluted. When she passed servants, they bowed. Not a single pony in her presence failed to show her their utmost respect. It was silly. To think some of them even believed she was a God. She was, of course, but they came to this conclusion on their own, therefore she did nothing to break the rules. That was not to say she didn’t endorse them and their ways. She couldn’t allow such an opportunity to go to waste. Another public affair that she could wrap a claw around and control. When they want to be controlled it makes it so much easier. They do practically anything she asks, and so she uses that well to her advantage. They make up her most devout soldiers, and are usually the only candidates that are allowed to make it into the special units she has.

The guards that stood in front of the war room right now were such examples of one of those special units. Their armor was some of the most protective armor available, at the cost of mobility. It was blood red and covered them from head to hoof. On the joints, where plates of armor could not be placed, they had mail painted to look like gold. They bore two plumes on their helmets. One of a bright red, and one of a bright yellow. These armor sets also had runic enchantments that made the metal tougher, and- purely for looks- the helmets were enchanted to look empty and silence any noise made inside of the helmet. When a pony had this armor on, they looked like ghosts, and never said anything. Thus they had to telepathically speak to one another and the Princess. Though they only spoke in her presence if it was necessary. Ponies in this unit were the toughest there was to offer, and thus the Honor Guard. Celestia’s personal guard troop that defended her and her most valued commanders. 

The honor guards moved their polearms out of Celestia’s way, and silently permitted her entry. She opened the doors and looked into the room to see the Royal Spymaster, as well as the High General. They stood in front of a large table. On that table was a map that showed the known world. They were quietly conversing about something, to which Celestia was sure is the reason she had called them here today. When the two heard the door open, they looked over their shoulders and turned to salute the Princess. With a wave of her hoof, she allowed them to return to their previous state. She walked around the table and calmly observed the map.

“Your majesty, so far it seems that our troops are mobilizing ahead of schedule. By tonight, we estimate that half of the required forces will be in the Crystal Empire and our surrounding territories. The special forces units are at their desired posts, except for the 88th, who, as you asked, are on standby until a new commander is selected.” The High General explained, grinning with desire to please Celestia.

“I see. I have brought good news for you as well. The 88th now has a new commander.” Celestia said. The General looked excited and smug at the same time.

“Ah, has my son finally gotten on your good side?” The General asked, seeming pleased. He brushed his blond mane to the side, and primped his uniform. Celestia had his uniform designed similar to how she pictured Augustus Caesar’s armor would look on a pony, though with added solar emblems. 

The Princess sighed, “As if Charming could ever get over his brattiness to try to please me. He still calls me his aunt, as if he just refuse to give a single touch of his childhood like the rest of his possessions.” Celestia questioned why she had even followed through with her promise to give him a position in the military. He was never trained and rarely ever shows up to meetings and never listens to orders handed down to him by superior officers. The only reason he was a soldier was because Celestia made him a promise when he was six, and he never let it go. “I swear, Lord Blueblood, you and I spoiled him far too much when he was little.” 

The General did not seem shocked, and kept his grin. He was unlike Celestia though, because his grin was always genuine. He was a big softy underneath his uniform, and he always showed it. It’s too bad that his son took advantage of that, whether Charming knew what he was doing or not. Lord Blueblood then said with a hearty chuckle, “Yes, perhaps we did. As long as he doesn’t hurt himself and doesn’t hurt others, then his antics are somewhat of a petty matter. Wouldn’t you agree, Ma’am?” Unlike his son, Celestia could definitely tell the the General was related to him. Though the blond hair that all of his blood shared was a dead give away. 

“I believe you are quite right, Lord Blueblood. However, I hope you’ll understand should he not be appointed High General.” Lord Blueblood shrugged his shoulders, to say that he both understands and doesn’t much care. Like the original Blueblood, the current High General was a firm believer in meritocracy, though her son’s position was a slight nepotistic comprise that he had to make as a parent. Celestia then cleared her throat and continued on, “Anyways, I believe we should return to the pressing matter at hand. Spymaster, report.”

The slender figure dressed like some Count Dracula knock-off was Celestia’s spymaster. He was a thestral with obsidian-colored mane and a pale blue coat. He softly spoke, “Dearest Princess, my spies in Gryphonia have reported that the Gryphons are clueless as to the return of the Crystal Empire. However, when they do find out, they are sure to be very upset to learn that their territory is now under Equestrian control. Many of their forces still lie on their eastern border, intensely skirmishing with the Minotaurans. A war with them will surely distract them from the happenings in the north, but there has been whispers of peace. A meeting is to happen tomorrow, where representatives of the Minotauran Union and Gryphonia will discuss how to settle their land dispute.”

“That sounds like it’d be against my best interests to allow them to make peace.” Celestia coldy remarked, looking at the pieces on the map between the borders of both the Minotaur and Gryphon territories. If they were to go to war, both of them would be weakened after a long stalemate. Neither of those countries will be able to best eachother. Though even in their weakened state, Gryphonia alone may be able to out do Equestria’s troops. It is well known that Equestria has fairly poor troops, and thus often uses diplomacy to weasel its way out of trouble. However, diplomacy will not be an option when it comes to keeping the Crystal Empire. The Gryphons have long heralded this territory as sacred territory. It contained mountains they claimed were home to some god of theirs, and the forests that particular territory also had within them were vital hunting grounds to their already small kingdom. 

“Yes, Princess, it certainly seems that way. That is why I went through and planned a special something to stir up trouble. Hired Minotauran mercenaries will be ransacking a tiny village on the border here.” The spymaster pointed to a small village on the southeastern border of Gryphonia. “There will also be an assassin at the peace talk, of course. We’ll be killing the Gryphonian emissary with the closest available agent. She is highly skilled and will make quick work of anything in her way,” the Spymaster smugly laid out his plans. Celestia didn’t seem convinced, though, so he pressed on with his report, because he needed her final consent in order to continue with this plan. 

“The Minotauran mercenaries are known patriots of the Minotauran Union, and are quite upset at the Union’s most recent loss of territory to the Gryphons, so they are quite motivated on this attack. They’ve procured proper uniforms to appear as Union troops, so even if they fail, it will appear as if the Minotaurans have attacked.” Celestia nodded to this information, and the Spymaster continued to the assassination part. This would be the easiest part to convince her on, he was sure. “The assassin who will be taking care of the Gryphonian emissary is one from Project Hyperion.” As if to prove his point, he dropped a dossier on the table. In it was information on subject twenty-seven, a mare also known as Crow. Celestia nodded to that too, and stonily looked at that map again.

“Very well, you may continue with this operation. Though this pony from Project Hyperion… I want you to return them to me if the are successful. I have need for her here in Canterlot.” Celestia said.

“Of course, your Highness. Twenty-seven will be by your side the morning after tomorrow. Is that acceptable?” The Spymaster asked, checking his pocket watch.

“Yes. I find that timeline acceptable.” Celestia replied pensively. She seemed lost in thought, and the Spymaster was curious, a trait that often got him in over his head. That trait also got him his job, so it went without saying that it was always wise for him to jump on that curiosity when he got the chance.

“Your Majesty, may I ask why you need  twenty-seven? She does happen to be one of my best assassins, which I’m sure you already know from missions in her file.” The Spymaster inquired. Celestia had no clue that this was one of his best assassins. However, now that she knew this, she was even more sure that she needed this one in Canterlot. 

Celestia pondered how to answer his question, but decided that open honesty is the only way to keep this stallion from doing something rash. If his curiosity was left unsated, he’d most likely do whatever he could to learn the answer on his own. “Well, Spymaster of mine, the new commander of the 88th will need to be trained to fight ponies, and be under strict surveillance. Who better to do this than the best assassin in Equestria?” This answer shocked both the General and the Spymaster. The General was the first to come up with a follow up question.

“Your Highness,” Lord Blueblood started, “You don’t mean to say that you found someone as inept as my son and put him in charge of a special forces unit, do you?” The General then realized a mistake he had made and spoke up about it, “Not that I mean to question your judgement, my lady. I’m simply asking out of my need to know my subordinates.”

“Ahh, I see. Don’t worry, Lord Blueblood, High General of the Grand Solar Army of Equestria. This commander is not inept in the slightest. He happened to kill four members of the 88th yesterday, so I have no doubts about his combat prowess. He just happens to be an odd fellow with no combat experience against ponies, and my new knight.” Celestia assured him.

“Well then, I simply must meet him as soon as possible, and congratulate this new pony on the position,” Blueblood said.

“I would also like to meet the lucky one, my Princess,” explained the Spymaster.

“Very well. This evening, we shall host a feast to celebrate the knighting of our new commander, and then you may pick his brain to your heart's content. I’ll warn you now, though, he is not a pony.” Celestia then turned from the table and began to leave the room. Before she reached the exit, she turned back around to say one last thing to her highest in command, “The future of Equestria is uncertain. Ahead of us brews a storm that we cannot steer clear of, as we have in the past. From the ashen armies of King Sombra to the war-mongering Gryphons, we are to face many threats together. It is up to us to guarantee that Equestria weathers this storm, and comes out more powerful than ever before.”

And with that, Celestia exited the room, a pair of honor guards tailing her this time.
> Ch. 5 - A Clash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘With all of his might, and all of his will, Gladio Blueblood took his enchanted sword and slayed the Draconequus Discord. It was then, for the first time, the Equestrian banner reigned over a land free of tyranny. This treasured moment came at the sacrifice of our great hero, for he collapsed but moments later, as the enchanted sword drained him of his life as payment for over extending its use. The sword, deemed a cursed weapon, would never be seen again after Her Majesty, the Divine Bringer of Light, sealed it away in Tartarus with the stallion who’d been brave enough to use it to its fullest.

~ Equestrian Legends: Volume I, Bugsy the Bard.’





Upon dragging me into a courtyard, Sergeant Magenta released me, and I hit the ground with a thud. I looked up and saw her scowl looking down at me.

“Get up. I’m giving you the tour,” she demanded tersely.

Wordlessly, I followed her angry instructions. 

“Over there is the armory.” She pointed a hoof toward a door on the left. The door itself left no impressions, but on either side stood two empty suits of armor, each colored bright red and yellow. “Guarding it is the Honor Guard. Don’t buck with them. Or do. In fact, please do. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.”

“I-”

“Moving on.” Magenta, completely ignoring me, pointed at a door on the opposite side of the courtyard, to the left. “That’s the mess hall. They don’t serve food there.” 

“They don’t?” I asked with obvious confusion.

“Nope. They don’t serve food anywhere around here. Sorry. No food for the next five-hundred miles.”

I furrowed my brow in further confusion, but Sergeant Magenta’s whirlwind of a tour gave me no opportunities to catch up. Completely ignoring her charge, Magenta pointed to the larger door directly ahead of them.

“Over there’s the training yard and barracks,” she explained curtly. “And that’s about all that matters. Any questions?” She quickly about-faced, raising her brow at me.

“Uh-”

“Great. Tour’s over. Go find some food or whatever Her Majesty said.” With that, Magenta brushed past me and sped toward the door back into the main section of the palace.

“H-hey, Miss, please wait!” I held out my hand, reaching for her as she passed.

“Is that an order?” she asked without even looking over her shoulder.

“Well, no-”

“Good. I’ll be off. Don’t follow me, or I’ll file a section 202 for harassment.”

“Wh-what?”

She didn’t bother for a response, and slammed the door behind her.

At a complete loss for words, and in dizzying confusion, I stood there. My arm was still held up, as if Old Man Winter himself had frozen me there.

‘What is her issue?’ I wondered. ‘I suppose I understand why she’s upset but… no… I suppose I’ll just leave it at that.’ I finally let my arm drop, and turned back towards the courtyard. Despite the recent hostile interaction, the courtyard itself was mostly quiet. Well trimmed grass gently swayed in a breeze that swished through all four quadrants. Small hedges had also been groomed and nurtured, and a marble fountain stood in the center of four converging flagstone paths which the hedges lined.

Tentatively, I inched into the courtyard to gaze at the fountain closer. These marvels of engineering were so rare back home. I had only seen one in Castle Esterfell. Even then, the fountain only bubbled with a gentle trickle of murky green waters, and it had been so damaged and decayed that it’s reservoir only contained at most an inch of water. Usually it was dry. 

But this fountain was like a spring of life, gushing upwards with a hiss and raining down with a roar into three more layers of water. Each layer had at least six inches of water, and the bottom most reservoir contained surely a foot. The water was clear too. Far clearer than any stream I’d ever seen. Looking through it, to the bottom of each layer, small coins glowed with a reflection  of the sunlight.

Through my helmet, I observed the sight in awe, jaw agape. Stepping closer, I put my hands on the edge of the water fountain, and peered straight downward. Looking back at me, was distorted, rippling reflection of myself.

“You look like you’ve never seen a fountain before,” commented a mature-sounding voice. 

“N-no. I’ve just never seen one this clear,” I responded, craning to see whom had approached me.

My gaze met a guard stallion. His armor changed his colors, but it was clear from the way he carried himself that he was an experienced fighter. A scar marred his otherwise well sculpted maw. It ran from his left nostril to the bottom of his chin and left.

“Ah. They purify the water here every night, so it’s always crystal clear.”

“Really?” I asked, amazed.

“Yeah.” The stallion took a spot next to me and also stared into the fountain. “The fountains in this palace are my favorite of all the land-- and I’ve seen even the most gaudy fountains in Neigh York.” He took a moment and his eyes shifted from the waters to the marble rim that kept the water in.

Setting aside my disbelief of more intricate fountains, I asked courteously, “Why do you say that?”

“Well, every fountain tells a story. Something the sculptor wanted to communicate. Sometimes it’s the depiction of folktales. Others are of some important figure. If I’m being honest… I just like the stories these fountains tell more.” As he explained his opinion to me, he softly smiled with a fondness in his eyes. “But this fountain in particular… This one is my favorite in the palace. You see, it tells the story of a lost foal.”

“What happened to the lost foal?”

“He died.” The stallion replied bluntly, with not a change in tone. The unexpected change in subject caught me off guard and I bellowed a hearty chuckle. The stallion’s grin widened into a smile, though he kept his eyes on the fountain, walking around it. “It’s all in the frieze around the rim of this fountain. The foal is lost and afraid, until he meets Her Majesty. She takes him with her to Canterlot, where she allows him to live in the barracks with all her soldiers. The Princess was kind enough to talk with him every month or so, but she is a busy mare.” 

The stallion takes a few more steps around the fountain before continuing, “But the foal is not immortal. And soon, he is no longer a foal, but a stallion, who has dedicated himself to serving Her Majesty through whatever, come what may. She had all but forgotten him though. So he worked hard. Harder and harder, until he was the fiercest warrior in all of the Royal services. He was the wisest tactician. He was the best sword stallion. He was the most accurate archer. He was legendary in every sense of the word.”

The stallion was now on the opposite side of the fountain from me. He craned his neck, and looked into my eyes as he finished his story. “But he had no war. His skill and prowess had gotten him nowhere. He went unnoticed by Her Highness. Until one day, as the stallion-- now the captain of the honor guard-- and the princess were traveling the countryside, they came under attack from monsters. The stallion fought tirelessly against a seemingly never ending horde, giving his all. Some of the other guardsponies ran in fear. Others were killed in battle. But the stallion, took blow after blow in Her Majesty’s defense. Eventually he took one blow too many, but not before single-hoofedly slaying every monster that attacked the caravan.”

He circled back to me, and I watched him as I listened carefully. “When the warrior finally breathed his last, and his armor’s effects wore off, Princess Celestia realized she recognized him. She recognized the lost foal, whom she’d taken in all those years ago. And as she realizes this, a foal lost and afraid wanders up to Her Highness’s caravan. And she takes him in,” he finishes, standing where he stood before.

I mull over the fountain’s story for a while, discerning the meaning. “A monument to those who toil for Her Highness’s recognition, and a promise that one day, you’ll be recognized,” I conclude.

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“What do you think it means then?”

“Me? I can’t say. I just like the story.” He smiles, and then looks at me once more. “So, you’ve seen combat before?”

His question made me freeze up. But it was only momentary, and soon I was comfortable to talk about it. “How could you tell?”

“Not many of the ponies around here would laugh when hearing that a foal died,” he says with a laugh. “They don’t have a sense of humor, I say.”

“And I’m guessing you’ve seen combat too?”

He too, for the briefest of moments, tensed up. Then he shared, “Yeah.”

“You carry yourself like a warrior,” I pointed to his hooves, “Legs slightly parted, shoulders tense, head up high, eyes scanning your surroundings.” His sword’s scabbard was rather plain, though clearly high quality. The outside was sheathed in a red cloth, and embroidered with gold, matching the rest of his uniform.

“Respectfully, you carry yourself like you’re afraid.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Look where your hoof is.” The stallion pointed to my left hand. It was firmly gripping the hilt of my sword. “And your own eyes, they’re wild. You’re twitching, too. It’s faint, but after taking a closer look, you look like you’re barely holding on.” 

After he pointed these things out, I was rather self-conscious of them. His words led me to fidget more, with a nervous trepidation. 

“I-” Before I could lose my wits, the stallion interrupted me with a proposition.

“Say, how about a spar?”

“Against me?”

“Well sure. I don’t know what you are, but I’ve fought bipeds before. They always provided an interesting challenge. I’d like to see how good of a fighter you are.”

“I- I’m hesitant to agree.”

His scarred head tilted in confusion. “It’s only a spar, not a duel or combat. We’ll use blunted weapons. No strings attached to the match. What do you say?”

When he explained this, I felt a slight relief. If it isn’t anything but a spar then, “I’d like that,” I agreed.

The stallion nodded with a smile, “Alright! Come on, let’s head to the training grounds.” He turned towards the set of doors that led to the location in mind, and motioned with a hoof for me to follow. Something about this stallion made me feel at ease. He had a certain charm about him that I just couldn’t shake off. 

“Oh! I am Sir Corrick of Es- er- Sir Corrick the White, knight of Her Highness, Princess Celestia. What’s your name?”

“Oh, me?” The warrior-stallion turned back to face me as we introduced ourselves. “I’m Sneezy.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Sneezy?”

“Yeah, Sneezy Trees.” The earth pony stallion’s easy going attitude left. He didn’t give me his rank, or whatever unit he belonged to, but I supposed it didn’t matter. For now, we are simply two warriors.

“Now that we’re introduced, let’s cross swords.”

“Mh,” he affirmed, leading the way. 

The training grounds were no spectacle. Unlike the previous courtyard, no marble adorned this one. For the most part, it was muddy. Not like the rotten battlefields, but done purposefully to soften the ground up some. It was like this in the Esterfell training grounds too. Also unlike the previous courtyard, this field bustled with activity and ponies hard it work. It was very noisy.

Despite this noisiness, as Sneezy led me to one of the pens, I noted some odd chatter from a few of the guardsponies hanging about.

“Oh look, Sneezy’s here again with some new toy to school,” said a stallion with a strange mare.

“Aw, no way, is that the beast who killed some of them shock troopers?” asked a mare.

“Nah, I heard it was getting the death sentence this morning, and that it’s head’d be a trophy by the afternoon,” the stallion responded. 

Another stallion chimed in, “What? No! Didn’t you see the trial? Celestia forgave that as an accident. Apparently, he was just trying to impress her with his combat skills off to become a knight, and she was! That thing is a knight now.”

I saw Sneezy’s ears twitch to the sources of gossip, and immediately the chatter from them stopped. I apparently already have a reputation. It seems word spreads quick in Canterlot. I can only hope it doesn’t spread the same way throughout the whole of Equestria. I don’t want to be seen as a monster. I’m not a monster.

My new friend led me up to a pen with a couple of guards who wore dark blue armor, and had cat-like eyes. Their uniforms were completely different than the others, with their colors being mainly greys. 

“Hey fellas, mind if my friend and I take this ring once you’re finished?”

“Huh? Oh, sure thing, Sneezy,” replied the mare on the right, “We’re just finishing up here anyways. It’s kinda early.” She sounded very tired as she said this.

 The guard stallion on the left was confused. “Wait, we just started a few min-” 

“Yeah, and I told you it was a long shift. I’m tired, let’s pack up.” As she explained this, she got his and her things put away and began pushing him out of the ring. 

To me, it seemed as though she was afraid of something. And watching her scuffle out of the training pen with her partner only seemed to affirm this to me. She was definitely in a hurry to be away from something. Maybe her training hadn’t been going so well. 

And next to me, Sneezy simply held up his now familiar smile. Sneezy himself looked genuinely excited. I can tell he likes training-- maybe even fighting. I can appreciate the art of sword combat, but… If he enjoys the latter too much… I could have made a mistake. I suppose I really don’t know anything about him.

Sneezy walked up to the weapon racks around the edge of training ring. 

“What kind of weapon do you like to fight with?”

“Uh…” Like a child, I was nervous to give an answer to that question. It was as if I had no idea what kinds of weapons there were, even though I’ve been practicing with all sorts of martial weapons since I was young. I’m a fool for having agreed to this.

As I was getting second thoughts, Sneezy looked over his shoulder at me, and then at my sword.

“A longsword then. Y’know, usually longswords for larger bipeds like yourself are like greatswords for us ponies. No worries, though. We have longswords for someone like you.” 

“O-oh? Is that so?” I replied without much thought. My hands had begun to feel a little numb, and arms felt like they wanted to be doing almost anything but hanging there at my side. If they could sprout legs and walk off, I’m sure they would. I know I’d like to do just that.

“Here,” Sneezy held out a blunted longsword to me. I absent-mindedly gripped it. As soon as I did, the blade-- which had been too short-- adjusted to my size. My astonishment bringing me back to earth, I noted how perfect the blade felt in my hands. “Feels perfect right?” Sneezy asked.

“Y-yeah…” I wanted to be able to point out some slight flaw to show that I at least knew something about weapons, but there were no flaws. The blade was exactly perfect for wielding. Perfectly heavy for my prefered strength, perfectly long for my reach, perfectly balanced for a swing. No imperfections in the steel whatsoever.

“Good, it’s supposed to adjust itself based on the wielder. No magic required, aside from the sword’s construction. It’s made from a magical quicksilver alloy and some other stuff… uhm… I don’t exactly know the whole construction method. But it’s pretty neat, I think.”

I turned away from Sneezy, so I could make a practice swing. My hands still shook, but I firmly gripped the handle. The pommel was rounded, and comfortable to rest the bottom of my left hand on, and the guard of the sword was curved just slightly so as not to be completely flat. With one swing, I could tell that the leather around the tang was all there was between it and my hand. It shouldn’t be too much of a problem, though. My gauntlets are pretty thick. So vibrations won’t be a huge problem.

While I was distracted in analyzing my training weapon, Sneezy had gone to pick out his own weapon. He picked out a pair of horseshoes with what looked like claws on their edges. I raised a brow hidden by my helm.

Either noticing an inquisitive look, or figuring I wouldn’t be familiar, “Steel claws,” he answered. “At least, the pony version of them. The Gryphons were the ones who originally came up with the design, but they already have claws and we don’t, so... “

“So you’ll be fighting with what equates to gauntlets?”

“Yes.” He noticed me faint disbelief, and quickly assauged it. “I’m really pretty good with these, if I say so myself. Don’t underestimate me,” he gently warned.

“Right, apologies. That was rude of me.” I was forgetting myself. I know better too, as underestimating an opponent is one of the biggest follies a warrior can make. I should assume he’s one of the most skilled steel claw wielders in the area.

“Anyways, let’s get in the ring and fight already. I’m getting antsy here. Look,” he grinned with a small chuckle, “my hooves are shaking.” 

“Alright, let’s do this. It’ll be a good spar,” I said. The latter part of my words had been more to convince myself, as I remembered that we’d be fighting.

“Mh,” Sneezy agreed, jumping over the fencing and into the ring. Apparently he’d placed his own sword and scabbard off to the side, near one of the weapon racks. I quickly took my own sword off my hip and placed it near his. 

The fencing to the ring was low enough for me to just step over it with little difficulty. It went up to the neck of a normal pony, and thus only went up to just below my hips. One of my feet hit the ground inside the ring, and I had to grab the fence, as the mud inside the ring was a bit more slippery than the mud in the rest of the training grounds. It wasn’t hard to get used to though, once both of me feet were inside. 

“Okay, what do you want the rules of this spar to be?”

“Er…” I couldn’t really think. It hit me once more that we were going to be sparring and my body kept screaming ‘no’.

“Let’s say any hit on the body or head is a point. Three points to win. What do you say?”

“I believe that’ll work,” I responded, focusing on holding my sword properly.

“Do you want two body hits for a point instead, since you’re bigger?” His politeness in this whole ordeal put me a little more at ease. 

“N-no, one will suffice. It shall be fair.” 

“Okay,” He got into a stance and put his claws on, before softening after looking around.

“What is it?”

Instead of giving me an answer, he looked around once more, and upon spotting a pony, he shouted, “Hey! Candle! Get over here and referee our spar, will ya?”

“Sneezy? A-alright, I’ll be right over,” The somewhat short mare yelled back. She wore golden armor, and looked like a normal pegasus guard. She quickly fluttered over to our ring. When she got there, Sneezy explained the rules of the match. Then, he turned to me.

“This is Candlestick. She’s got a really good eye, and is one of the most fair referees around. You mind if she’s the judge?”

“N-not at all. I hardly know any better candidates.”

“Oh, Sneezy, what are you doing? This thing got off the train yesterday and murdered…” Sneezy took a sharp glance at Candlestick and her words trailed off. “Look,” she started, getting her thoughts back together, “What I mean is, this thing doesn’t know anything about how you fight. He’s Celestia’s new knight from a very…” She glanced my way, “very far away land. Probably doesn’t know much on fighting ponies. ‘Sides, you know… he’s...”

“Don’t worry about it. He agreed to it. It ain’t like I dragged him here like most of the other ponies I spar.”

“He doesn’t know any better! If you do this, you might make Her Highness mad.” She was rather worried for Sneezy. 

“Hey, hey, just keep score and watch us, alright? That’s all. Everything else doesn’t matter,” he told her. She was about to pipe up once again, but Sneezy gave her a look and she surrendered without any more words. “Let’s start then.” 

“Okay.” Candlestick took a deep breath. “Are you ready, Sneezy?” 

Sneezy shrugged with a relaxed grin, “Always.”

“Understood.” Candlestick turned to look at me clearly for the first time. She studied me for a moment, and then raised an eyebrow with an unimpressed look, “I thought you’d be bigger.”

“I-I don’t know what to say to that.” 

At hearing my words, her ears swiveled back and she recoiled. “That voice… were those even words?” Sneezy gave her another glance, though this one was more to tell her to hurry. “R-right, right. Anyways, we’ll start at the clang of this bell. Got it?” She threw a look to Sneezy, to which he responded with a nod. “Okay,” she said, nearly completely ignoring me.

I was now only slightly unsure if she would be a fair judge, but seeing as I couldn’t come up with a suitable replacement, she’d have to do. Regardless, it was too late to begin worrying about that. I had to worry about the opponent in front of me. I once more firmly gripped my training sword.

Inhaling deeply, I lowered into my battle stance, and so too did Sneezy. I tipped the point of my blade toward him, and there was a slight twitch in his eyes. Aside from that, he was perfectly calm. And in this moment, so was I. This spar, this match, this duel, this would be a clash of two skilled warriors. I could tell from looking into his eyes. I could tell by looking in his direction. His pose was unwavering, but relaxed. He contained within him no tension.

I felt unsure. I was having last second doubts. But this was not the time to begin having second thoughts. I needed to be calm, and focused, and collect. There was no room for unnecessary thoughts. There was no room for anything but this battle. And yet, I have this sinking feeling.

Clang!

The bell had rung. Without missing a single beat, Sneezy leaped at me. My eyes widened, as I could barely comprehend his speed. He didn’t come off as the agile type, yet that’s what he was. 

Reflexively, I moved my sword in front of me to parry, but Sneezy had already adjusted to counter my parry with a smack from his other steel claw. Unready for his sudden movements, I fell out of the way in an awful excuse for a dodge.

He didn’t give me a chance to get back up. As soon as he could, he kicked the ground with one of his one of his rear hooves, and threw himself at me once again. I had not been able to roll away, and his claws hit my chest. 

Clang!

It was all nearly too fast for me to comprehend. And as I was processing it, the bell rang signaling a point to Sneezy. I had no mind to contest the point, it was fair. Though I wasn’t asked. It wasn’t like I could respond anyways, as I had not the air in my chest to speak. 

“One point to Sneezy Trees,” declared Candlestick.

“Huh,” he mumbled unimpressed,  “Hey are you alright? Get up, we still got at least two matches to go.”

“Ngh,” was all I was able to say in response rolling over and moving to get back on my feet. Once on my feet, I moved to brush some of the mud off of my uniform, but there was none. 

“The mud here doesn’t stick, so you don’t get dirty.”

“Oh,” I tilted my head. Magic has the strangest of applications.

“Ready for round two?” He asked.

I shook the thoughts about magic out of my head and took my stance, slowly tilting the blade towards my opponent once more. This time, the blade was shaking. Confused, I looked to the base to see if it was wobbling of flexing for some reason, but as I got to the guard, it became apparent the true cause. My hands were shaking, and I was nervous. There was no time for me to compose myself though, as when I got into my pose the bell rang once more.

Clang!

I struck first. A narrow swing towards his throat. My blade swished through the air inaudibly as my muscles pistoned to make the blow. 

Just as my sword near hit him, one of his claws came up and smacked my blade to the side. This time, I was ready though. I wheeled my sword around to parry his other claw, jamming my guard against his hoof with a grunt.

As I had wanted, the claw was caught in such a way that I had complete control over his right hoof. And knowing this, I yanked him into a roll. The sudden jerk left him tumbling in the mud.

He was all too aware of my next move though, and stopped his tumble with a well timed kick that launched him back at me again. His right claw led the charge and I wasn’t sure I wanted to attempt to block or parry such a blow.

So I didn’t. Instead I sidestepped out of his way, bringing my sword down where I projected his path to lead him. But Sneezy also wasn’t where I expected him to be. Instead, one of his claws was about to make a sharp jab into my hip. 
Instinctually I would have twisted into a sharp kick. However, I think he’s acting based on his own instincts, and trying to guess my own. Instead of delivering a solid kick into his chest, I swung my sword down over his foreleg. 

It was a feint, and he fell for it perfectly. Levering my guard in his claw, I pulled him into a kick. 
There was a deep sounding thud as my leg collided with the side of his body. 

But instead of sending him flying as I planned, I soon found myself on my back. 

Sneezy and anticipated the blow and twisted himself and me around. I tried to roll away, but I felt a sharp pain in my back as Sneezy drove his claw in for a follow-up. The blow sent me rolling across the pen, and again I lost my breath.

Clang!

“Come on! Are you even trying?” Sneezy impatiently asked. “I thought you’d be better than this.”

Instead of answering, I gasped for air. I’ve never encountered someone this vicious. I thought I knew how to fight well, and here I am, being taught a lesson by someone I’d just met. It doesn’t make sense. 

“Hey, get up!” Yelled Sneezy. “It was to three wins. You better at least let me have the satisfaction of beating you a third time.”

My opponents sudden change in attitude bewildered me. “H-huh?”

I rolled over and stood back to my feet shakily. My back hurt from the fierce blow he’d just given me, and I rubbed the sore spot with a  gauntleted hand. Mail does nothing to soften a blow, but my gambeson should. His kick had been enough to make my back ache despite that. That thought made me feel nauseous. Or maybe it was me getting tossed across the training pen like a ragdoll. 

“Hay Bale,” Sneezy said calmly.

Confused, I asked what he meant.

“Jolly Roger,” he continued, ignoring my question.

“What are you saying?” I asked again.

“True Sword, Hot Hooves.”

Instead of pointlessly questioning him again, I simply awaited him to continue.

“Those are the names of the ponies you murdered yesterday,” he said staring into my eyes. “Those are the names of my friends who aren’t able to spar with me anymore, because of you.”

Perhaps it was the light or my own imagination, but I could have sworn I saw glint in the corner of his eye.

“The mission they were to perform was supposed to be easy. ‘Escort six VIPs and one guest to Canterlot Palace from the train station’. They prepared by complaining about how bored they would be, and how they couldn’t wait to come back and just sleep the day off. After all, they’re some of the most battle hardened ponies here,” Sneezy paused to look around at all of the other guards who were now just watching, “They had seen and fought more than any of these useless heaps of armor. And they had a simple mission in one of the safest cities on all Equus. And yet some unknown skilled warrior they were supposed to be protecting savagely murdered them in the streets- and for what?” He calmly continued his rhetoric. “For you to make a show, and impress the Princess.”

His speech’s words sank in, carving open a deep wound in my soul. I felt nothing but remorse, yet here I was all the better for the lives I took. And why? Because I’m special? Because I was brought here by some powerful being with a purpose? These ponies are still people. But I couldn’t control myself. I’m such a tragic mess that I made others suffer for it. Hay Bale, Jolly Roger, True Sword, and Hot Hooves all lived short lives because I brutally maimed and slaughtered them in a fit of madness. How am I supposed to be a saviour when I’m down in a hole like this? Why am I here? I drank dirty spring water like a fool and was transported to a nonsensical land to be some sort of god? What rubbish! What absolute nonsense! What filth I am!

“And now, after proving yourself to Her Royal Highness, you can’t bother to put in the effort to prove to anyone else how capable you are. You’re disgusting. If you had the barest of appreciation for what it means to be a warrior, you’d at least honor the dead and treat me with the respect to fight at your fullest.”

As I ashamedly stared into the lower face guard of my helm, I heard a small thump. It was my own training sword, which had fallen out of my grasp into the mud below. My hands trembled. On the verge of tears, I heard Candlestick utter the words,

“Pick it up.”

When I turned to her, she only said once more, “Pick it up,” looking at my sword. 

Without thinking, and with shaking hands I slowly knelt down to pick up my blade. 

“Are you ready?” She asked Sneezy.

Sneezy only nodded once more in reply.

“W-wait,” I protested meekly, “I-I need to think…” I was not given a chance though.

Clang!

Once more Sneezy lept at me, one claw in front of the other. 

Without thinking, almost mechanically, I brought my sword up. This time, I swung as hard as I could into the already airborne earth pony, sending him off course and crashing into the mud with a slick noise. 

“I said wait, damn you!” I shouted to Candlestick.

Candlestick, shocked, turned her gaze to Sneezy who’d already recovered.

“There it is!” Sneezy exclaimed with something akin to joy. “Fight me with that! I’ll see if you’re really worthy to lead us!”

“I don’t want to fight right now!” I shouted in return, stabbing my training blade into the ground before me. “I-I’m a fool, a coward, a madman, just leave me be!” I stormed my way to the edge of the pen to leave,  but as I arrived at the fence, Sneezy pulled me back in and threw me to the ground. I heard a loud tear, as he’d assumedly torn my tabard. 

And while I was on the ground, defenseless, Sneezy pounded away at my body. It felt like multiple ponies were beating away at me like I was a war drum. Maybe it was multiple ponies. There was a lot of shouting and noises as the merciless beating seemingly continued for ages. 

Until it stopped. All of the shouting voices went quiet, and heavy hoof steps trotted around nearby.

“What is the meaning of this?” Sounded a familiar feminine voice. 

My helmet was still ringing and the pain everywhere seared my body. Bruises were already beginning to form no doubt, and maybe even some bones were cracked. I felt a terrible pain in my chest, it sharply struck whenever I tried to breath, threatening to pop my lung.

“Shameful,” she commented, after observing the situation. 
 
“You two, carry him to the infirmary. I’ve just convened with my generals, there’ll be a this evening in celebration of his knighting, and other news I’ll deliver to him there. Try not to rough him up again today.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Sorry, Your Majesty.” Too voices that sounded awfully like Candlestick and Sneezy Trees answered in unison.

“Don’t apologize to me,” replied the voice dryly. “The chain of command exists for a reason,” she warned, before exiting.

And so, wordlessly, I was hauled away. My head was spinning, my body throbbed dully, and the pain made me writhe. I felt something warm and wet somewhere, and the pain in my lung made it hard to breathe, for fear of death. 

But what hurt the most was not of a physical nature, but the words that hung onto my chest, and a new one, “Sh… Shameful...” I gargled out.  
> Ch. 6 - Conversations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is no real war. Only my war, your war, and everyone else's war. War is a part of me, just as much as it is a part of you, whether you know it or not. Surviving it is easy, at least for us. Living in it is the hard part. To do that you have to embrace your war, become part of it, be burnt in the fire, be ground in the grinder. Those who truly live in their war are ascended to a different plane, almost. You can see it in their eyes: feel it in their presence. They're content.

It's not about victory. Be consumed by the pyres of glorious rage, and fight.





Magic really is astounding. The beating I'd received from Sneezy would have needed months to heal, but sure enough my cracked ribs had been mended and only my pride remained wounded. And that made me wonder how deep this magic can fix wounds. Could it fix the scars in my head and in my heart? I think even if it could, I don't know if I would accept that kind of help. The pain I bear honors the pain I've inflicted upon others. Simply whisking it away on a whim would shame me more than any other abomination of an act I could commit. Or so I think.

"Sir Corrick, can you hear me?" asked the feminine and regal voice of Celestia.

"Yes, my lady. I must ap-"

"Hush now, save your strength," she said quickly, in a motherly tone. "I came to find you so that I may personally inform you that there will be a feast tonight to celebrate a certain somepony's knighting and appointment as commander. Seeing as there may be something of a crowd attending, even on such short notice, I'll require a personal guard for the duration of the event. My honor guard will be busy; as such would you be so kind and accompany me this evening, fair Knight?"

Celestia looked down on me for but a moment. Being ordered to 'hush', I remained silent and simply nodded. This certainly was a curious way to invite me to a celebration of my own 'accomplishments'. Duty calls, though, and as such I must answer.

"Excellent! Your uniform is what you have on now. Make sure it's impeccable." Celestia's horn glowed a golden hue for a moment and my whole body glowed similarly in response. Then there was an audible 'poof', and my armor seemed to be once again shined, polished, and cleaned with zero scratches. Even my tabard was fixed with no sign of ever being torn. "Outstanding presentation, Knight! Keep it that way until the festivities begin. You still have about three hours. When it's time, you are to report to my quarters. I'll send word for you. Continue on with familiarization of your new unit. No more violence today. That's a command."

I nodded in understanding, and received a warm smile in reply. Then, without a moment's hesitation, Celestia turned about and began making her way out of the infirmary. "Oh, and do eat, you might do better in your next spar, good sir!" she chimed without looking back. She exited the room, staff bowing as she passed, with two red and gold, heavy, and empty-looking suits of armor following her silently. It occurred to me with a chill that I hadn't noticed their presence until then. I pieced that those moving sets of armor were likely her honor guard. 

Sighing and returning my attention to my health, I double checked my body for injury by patting myself down and stretching. I deemed myself adequately repaired, albeit my condition was far better than that. My eyes turned their attention from the body they were attached and toward the room they were in. I scanned it through my helm and found it to be a mostly empty place, with the exception of a couple dozen cots with blue bedding and barren metal frames, white curtains between each cot, and a couple of ponies chatting away on the far-side of the expansive room from the entrance.

"Commander Corrick?" A large, black-coated stallion in some sort of white gown approached me. It seemed I missed him in my observance of the room about me. I'm quite popular today, although I'd rather all of these creatures leave me be for a bit. And perhaps they'd let me find some food too.

"That is I. And you are?" I sat up to meet him with more dignity, although something about that notion brought a smoldering sensation to my cheeks-- not that the stallion could see that. I've been a knight for my adult life, but finally being recognized in such a position was something I was unused to. 

"I'm Bramble Bush, the head physician for the 88th. I need to perform a final check and make sure you're healthy enough to leave the infirmary." The stallion was a very muscular-looking unicorn. He rose a hoof to scratch his shaved head and rub his grey eyes. 

"Oh, no need, they already came by to give me a-" The stallion cut me off. What is it with these ponies and not letting a man finish his sentences? If I'm cut off again, I might begin to lose my temper. 

"I understand, sir. I still have to give you my own stamp of approval. It's regulation for special cohort soldiers, like you and me, since we have such physically and mentally demanding assignments." 

"Oh." I said with slight confusion. "I apologize, I am unsure of how the 88th or 'special cohorts' work." I scratch the temple of my great helm with a gauntleted hand and fidget in awkward embarrassment.

"I can run you through it after this. Let me do a quick looksie and..." His horn glows a soft violet and so too do I. "Oh, so that's what you look like." His brow furrows as he concentrates. "Tell me, since I don't know your magi-physiological profile, do you feel at all out of the norm?"

"My what? I mean-- I suppose I feel quite fine." I checked over myself and patted my body down once more. There was no pain or signs of injury whatsoever. "Yes, I feel I am in good health."

"Excellent." Bramble's glow ceased. With a forehoof he reached into his gown and pulled out a board with a sheet of white papyrus. With his teeth he grabbed a small stick out of a pocket on his chest and began writing on the papyrus. "I'll put thish down azh what you should look like on a shcan. Onshe I finish filling thish out, I'll go through our pshyche check," he says through his utensil, not even pausing as he jots notes down.

Bramble Bush continues writing things down for several minutes, occasionally rescanning to confirm what he's written. In the mean time, I'm left to my own devices in my head and worried for the psyche check. I'm not well learned in the prospects of this study, but I know it's pertinence to a soldier's-- and by extension an army's-- morale. It was never very important to my leaders, and I'm not sure how important I find it to be. Until yesterday, I'd never found myself compelled by my head to stay my blade. Then again, yesterday I'd met another skilled fighter for the first time in years, on top of being completely out of my element in fighting a four-legged creature that was about half my size.

Yes, Sneezy was most certainly more learned in fighting than the ponies I... encountered previously. I'm not sure I could beat him, even at my best. Even in the war I'd left but days ago, there were no skilled fighters that ever threatened me. Most of the skilled ones tried to fight nobles with land or wealth they could ransom for-- not to mention that I was still a commoner in the eyes of most courtiers. The headhunters that viciously murdered my previous troop wouldn't even have been able to stop me. If I could have brought myself to fight. But I'm just a coward and quite possibly crazy.

Bramble puts his writing stick back into it's pocket and clears his throat, garnering my attention. "Mmmkay, that settles all of the physiological notes. The psyche check is a really quick process. All I'm going to do is ask if you have anything you'd like to talk about and if you've had any evil thoughts of late," the charcoal stallion explained.

"Oh... so then it's not another magical scan?"

"No. A magical scan of your psyche is something that can only be done by a select few and powerful individuals in the field of cerebro-manipular magic, which is already quite the niche on top of being strictly controlled. Physical scans are rather simplistic in comparison." Bramble Bush is collected as he talks, clearly used to answering questions that might seem obvious to himself.

"Really? How so?" 

"Well, a physical scan is like listening to one's whole body and taking in measurements of vitals, think of how you can see, feel, and hear drops of water falling upon you outside, and making the assessment that it's raining. A psychological scan would be like trying to make those measurements of your body but far beyond normal sensation. Perhaps, going on the previous example, you can picture it like trying to tell that it's raining in Neigh York without reading the weather in the newspaper." Bramble Bush scratched behind his own ear while making the long comparisons in his explanation. His eyes flicked toward the ceiling whenever he took a pause to think.

Once more, magic intrigues me. I don't know if I have the capacity to perform it-- I'll remain realistic in that expectation and assume that pursuit of that field would be foolish of me and a waste. Yet, I still can't deny that even simply having that range of extra-sensory could prove a useful tool in more tactical applications. Even though I have my reservations about my ability to produce magical effects, I won't skip out on learning more about it. And I'll definitely look into that more on my studies.

"I'd harken to guess that Neigh York is far away?" I asked, helm'd head tilted inquisitively.

Bramble, in response, barked a hearty laugh and a knowing grin. "Yes... it's a thousand miles east, give or take."

"Quite the distance... a two-month march with an army on direct roads, maybe a month and a half if you're in a hurry." The calculation of marching movements was second-nature to me. Marching place to place, setting up camp, and patrolling nights was all I'd done for years. But in my studies at Castle Esterfell, movements of large armies and a basic idea of the logistics that are involved in such activities were practically the first thing I learned outside of sword-fighting.

"That's an odd thing to know off of the top of your head," Bramble commented.

"Is it?" Any commander should be able to produce marching paces for a given army off the top of their heads. 

"Modern armies usually travel by train. Marching hundreds of miles by hoof is a thing of the past."

"Ah. Right. Where I come from we lack such technology. Train paths must be decisive features in any war." The nature of fast transportation that doesn't exhaust troops would be key to securing a victory an enemy. It also means you could potentially produce more supplies, to better feed and garrison your troops. Yet another thing to earmark for later, though it only just occurred to me that I likely won't receive tutelage from Twilight, given the circumstances of my most recent folly.

"Maybe. I'm just a physician, sir. Wounding and getting wounded is the job of the grunts. My job is undoing that. Or so I like to tell myself, but I'm no slouch with a small blade. Perks of surgical training."

My stomach growled loudly to my chagrin and earning another smirk from the physician by my bedside. I haven't eaten in a long time, and my hunger was finally making me feel weak. I'm not stranger to long fasts due to ration shortages, but I haven't gone more than a day without a meal in a while: my body wasn't used to it anymore. 

"I suppose that's a sign we should move on and get through those questions," I commented, abashed. 

"Sounds like. I'll fill out the paper, you just answer honestly when prompted. Or don't, this is mostly a formality."

"I understand. I'm ready."

"Great. First, have you been having any evil or malicious thoughts? If so, have you acted on them at all?"

"N-no? Well I guess I'm not sure. That's rather philosophically questionable, don't you think?"

"Yes. Nor is anything preventing you from lying to me. But after a royal wedding was interrupted by a changeling invasion in which a third of the royal guards turned out to be disguised enemies, the brass has mandated we fill out this functionally useless piece of paper at every chance we get." Bramble's tone took a sarcastic and irritated turn. "I'm now required to tell you that evil is defined as anything illegal or against Her Majesty's will: to include actions that might harm your fellow pony." The physician recited the words from the sheet he was filling out and then looked back to me with his steely eyes.

"... No." I carefully thought over my answer. I suppose it was accurate, as far as the most recent combat would show. Then again, I nearly lost my head after losing my head and murdering those ponies yesterday. My answer would suffice.

"... Uh huh. Now, have you had any thoughts that might prevent you from performing as a soldier, both in normal duties and in combat?" He was unconvinced, but didn't object.

"... No," I lied.

"What about the incident that saw you into the infirmary?"

I pondered for a moment. It seems I do a lot of that. "I believe I was nervous. The events of yester-day have..."

"What issue do you take with the events of yesterday?" Asked he.

Right, I was supposed to have meant to murder them. "I'm simply worried I'll go beyond what is acceptable once more. Nothing more than an apprehension."

"Right," the physician sighed, "Well this overly simplistic document has been appropriately filled, and I'll refrain from interrogating you more on the record. Off the record though, I'd think we should talk. It's plain to see you're lying, and I'm concerned for your well-being and our unit's." My intuition that he'd noticed proved accurate.

"I don't plan on harming any of you, if that's concerning to you."

"Nah. I trust Her Majesty in that you're not that blatant of a danger. But whatever really stopped you in the ring today could get many-a-pony killed in battle, should you freeze up like that." Bramble had a serious expression of concern. "I've seen what you can do to a pony. Sneezy perhaps our most seasoned and strongest fighter, but he shouldn't have been able to come out of that ring without a scratch."

"'Tis not so easy a problem to be solved," my voice, already rough, grew curt. "You've no understanding of what I've seen, or how it has had a lasting and unwelcome impression."

Bramble didn't respond for a moment after I said that. It wasn't polite of me to say. As well, it takes no heed of his own troubles. I am not keen on retaking my words though.

Bramble finally spoke again, "Don't let internal demons torment you. We must be ready to fight the external ones. That's all I need from you, Commander." He didn't await a response from me and walked out of the ward. 

That left me alone, to my thoughts. Next time, I'll show that I'm better. I'm ashamed and conflicted. I let myself be beaten, but I deserved it. There was nary that could be done about the situation now, though. I just needed to focus on the next task: food. It's been a sweetening moment since I've lest been fed. What with the rumbling of my stomach and the weakness of fatigue. What I would give for a rich slice of seared beef. My mouth watered, salivating at the thought of a savory meal, and I could practically smell it-- no scent truly was in the air.

I got off of the ward's cot. The cot itself was strangely large enough to suit me, but perhaps they have them in case other creatures my size need one. After remarking upon such strangeness, I walked toward the exit that the princess had taken earlier. Getting outside of the ward I could do, but I'm without guide once more and my 'tour' given earlier was exceptionally... terse, to put it mildly. 

The exit led to a courtyard, not one that I've been in before. I twisted my helmet with my head and scanned my surroundings to see if I could puzzle out any sense of direction. None yet found its way into understanding, but I saw a signpost mounted or perhaps part of the inner wall of an archway. Though the archway was a relatively open area leading up to the cliff of the mountainside. Several uniform buildings stood attention in a perfect line abreast from another in between the mountain and the archway.

The weather was still fair; Sunny skies were dotted with clouds and golden domes capping different palatial buildings reflected a warming aura around the skyline. Given the mountainside positioning of the palace, I expected the winds to be sheer, but for some reason or another, the gusts broke into but gentle breezes that carried any intensity of the heat away. With that breeze, too, came the scent of a well maintained garden. As I walked over to the archway to look at the sign, I was reminded of a time where I walked a between a different set of marble walls before being painfully reminded of a blinding flash of light. 

I chose to quickly stuff that imagery back into a box, as I had arrived at the sign. I inspected the text through the ports on my greathelm. 

"Aha. I still can't read," I said with a sigh. I'd not forgotten, mind you. I was simply hoping that there'd be some symbol or something pointing me in the direction of food that didn't require me to understand the strange characters etched into the stone. On that note, there seemed to be two sets of characters for each line of text. One was a set of more abstract characters that possibly could have been meant to convey meaning through pictures a long time ago, and the other was a set of horseshoe marks interlaced in different ways for each character. Quite strange. 

Alas, I was still lost. Were I to guess though, the line of uniform buildings on the other side of this archway would be the barracks. Perhaps, I could find a pony to give me directions there. There didn't seem to be anyone walking about but... perhaps I could wait for one? It was a goofy plan, to be sure, but a man can't simply walk into random barracks unannounced and uninvited. Right? I'm unsure.

I mindlessly scratched at the cheek of my helm with a gauntleted set of fingers, listlessly staring at the barracks grounds while I formed my plan.

Then, I saw a guard pony leave one of the buildings and walk in the opposite direction. I quickly rounded the corner and shouted to him.

"Excuse me!" I called. He didn't turn his head. "Guardsman!" If I could see better I could have sworn his eyes flicked to me briefly as he kept his brisk pace. Soon enough, he'd gone around a corner and was forever lost to me in the palace someplace. My shoulders slumped in defeat.

"But aha!" I'd spotted another pony. This one was also in a guard's uniform, better yet, he seemed to be coming my way. "Hail! Guard, I need you for a moment!" 

Upon noticing me, he quickly made a turn toward one of the buildings and scurried inside with a sheepish expression.

"Bastard!" I exclaimed.

It was then though that two guards, one male, one female, exited the building closest to me.

"You there! You two!" I shouted. 

They made direct contact for a moment. The pause was tangible, the air heavy. Then, the male looked to the female, who returned a knowing look. At the drop of a pin, the two dashed in the direction the first guard had gone. I quickly gave chase.

"Wait! Please! I just want food!"

They male shrieked and the female shouted, "Run! It's hungry!" Ponies gallop far faster than I could run, and quickly they too had lost me by entering the palace proper.

"Curse you, cowards! I'll have your hides!" I kicked dust in their direction.

"Chill out, Commander," came an effeminate voice from behind.

I turned to see a uniformed guard pony looking at me with a relaxed face and a toothy grin. Her coat was shifted to a grey, her hair silvery, and her eyes golden, all by her armor, I assumed. The plumage on her helmet was rotated to arc from left to right rather than front to back though, something I'd not seen before. Behind her was a barrack that seemed rundown and empty. It hadn't been taken care of properly it seemed. The door didn't even seem to close properly. The guard then stood at attention and saluted. 

Instinctually I lunged toward her and grabbed her hoof, forcing it down to her chest. I quickly scanned the environment, including the rooftops. 

"Wha- HEY!" she cried. "The palace is safe, Sir." 

Her words were heard but unprocessed by me, and I continued analyzing the environment for but a moment. I accepted the results: nothing was there but birds, and other guards in the distance looking at me as if I were strange but in no hurry to stay. 

I then looked down to the pony whose hoof was still in my hand. "'Tis a force of habit. Apologies."

"By Her Light, they said you'd be weird but..." She held her tongue for a moment before muttering, "This is going to be interesting."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh! Right! I'm Kettle Belle. I'm the XO of the 88th."

"ex oh?"

"Executive Officer," she clarified. "I advise the commander and ensure orders are executed properly in the cohort. I've been waiting for you to get here since I got news that a new commander had finally been appointed but it seems like you've been... sidetracked, since your altercation with Sergeant Sneezy." She looks toward where the guards I'd chased disappeared. 

"Yes. That's the short of it. Sneezy is a Sergeant? I'm unsurprised, he's skilled."

"Well, Sergeant-at-arms, yes. Sergeant for short. He's the prime non-commissioned officer within the cohort."

"I see. And your rank is Executive Officer, correct?"

"Not quite. I'm a Centurion Prime. Executive Officer is a position you get appointed to. I was appointed to this role for you by Her Majesty, as the most senior officer in the 88th." 

"You seem very lax about my appointment. As most senior officer, were you not looking to get the position yourself? And, beyond that, about my recent transgressions..." I mention sheepishly.

"I trust in the Solar Princess completely. If my best place of service is as your right hoof mare, then I shall obey. And if you're best suited for the spot of commander, and She's forgiven you, then I don't need to worry. "

Her almost zealot-like behavior took me off guard. The physician had a similar mindset but was less... pronounced. This attitude is quite unusual. Did she not care for her subordinates? As if hearing my thoughts, though, she answered.

"You killed good ponies. It's something that can't be undone. And more than that they were part of our unit. But, most of the ponies in the cohort weren't especially well acquainted with them. There's a couple hundred of us, after all. And the majority of us have seen our fair share of loss. We all have to buck up at some point and get over it." Her expression didn't change at all from the laid back and relaxed face she'd met me with. Although, perhaps her smile was gone, she seemed so matter-of-fact.

"And what of those in their squad-- or whatever the unit is?"

"Right, he'll need to know how we're organized," she said under her breath looking away briefly, "Those from the same unit will likely be displeased, and none-to-willing to listen to you. I've already filled out and submitted the necessary paperwork to transfer them to one of the other special cohorts for you."

"Wait, what? I mean, it makes sense but... It feels wrong to do that."

"I doubt they'll complain. It's for the best."

"H-hold on a minute." I pinched the bridge of my helmet. Something felt really off about this and I figured out what it was. It's not just that it feels like I'm avoiding the consequences of my actions. The most important part is that Kettle Belle did this without my asking her. I may be new to the unit, but I've been taught leadership. This behavior undermines my authority and establishes a bad precedent. "Centurion Prime--"

"Simply Centurion, Sir."

"Do not interrupt me," I commanded, vexed over the amount of times I've been interrupted today. "Thank you for correcting me. Now, Centurion, going ahead and choosing to transfer these men-- er-- ponies out of my unit without my consultation is unacceptable. Do you understand?" My voice spit gravel. Once more my intonation was over-punctuated.

At the words, her eyes widened and her ears rotated back. Her eyes locked on to my boots. "Yes, Sir."

Her reaction softened me. "Now, worry not. Simply because I agree with the decision, and understand you were trying to keep unit cohesiveness, the penalty will be light." My new executive officer looked from my boots back up to my eyes. "They shall not be in the future. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir!" She replied with a salute.

I threw myself forward and near-slapped her hoof downward, and began to scan the environment once more. I'd realized though, this time that I'd let my instincts overtake my reason again.

"Sorry-"
"Sorry-"

We both apologized at the same time. "Uhm..." I lead, "Instinct."

"Should we issue a standing order to drop salutes within the cohort?" She asked courteously.

"Nay. I need to simply change my mindset and adapt. I've been so used to constant danger. The enemies we fought had weapons and marksmen that could take a man's head off at a long range."

"Like a bow?"

"Sort of, but like a cannon, if you have those."

"A cannon? That couldn't be realistic. Cannons take crews and are so heavy you can only really put them on airships. Not to mention the magical energy required..." Magical energy? We must be thinking of vastly different cannons. Or perhaps not... After all, our cannons were similarly cumbersome and man-intensive. The ammunition, though, and resources to make them was so limited. Even the weapons I'm speaking of would only be presented to a very select few, if the kingdom could even afford it.  That the Aristians had so many of these weapons was quite unthinkable. 

"Yes. But these cannons were so light that one man could carry and utilize it. They required a lot of time to reload though."

"No way. Such a weapon would change warfare entirely. I feel like I would have heard of one."

"They're almost impossible to craft and difficult to supply. My people used to be capable of much more devastating weapons though. Fulminating spears are but a ghost of what we used to have. Or so legend has it." I recount mankind's history mentally. A cataclysm left us all but destroyed and barren of resources. So I'm told, I suppose.

"Amazing. One day you'll have to share how these 'fulminating spears' work."

"No. I have no idea, honestly. I just know they're crafted with long metal rods, and wood. The mechanism of them is a mystery to me." Wait a second... 

"Airships?"

"Whattaboutem? Don't tell me you've never heard of airships?" I deadpanned at her. "No. Way. You cannot tell me about this mythical weapon that can take a pony's head off from a distance that's like a tiny hoof-held cannon, AND THEN tell me you don't know what an airship is."

My expression, although invisible through my helmet, was steadfast: unchanging at her prodding. 

The Centurion Prime sighs and moved a hoof to the bridge of her eyes, not disimilar to how I pinched the bridge of my helmet earlier. 

"Okay, okay, look, clearly there's a lot of adjusting we're going to need to do. We can do this better inside, over a cup of tea or coffee."

"Actually, I stumbled here in search of food."

"Oh... Sergeant Magenta didn't finish her duties, it seems. That sounds about right," Kettle Belle sighed. "Did she show you where the mess hall is?"

"Yes, but very briefly."

"Did you miss the signs in the archways of the courtyards?"

"I can't read."

"You can't read the signs, period? Like, neither the High Equestrian or Low Equestrian?"

I nodded in response. To which Kettle Belle slapped her forehead with her hoof. "Ho-kay. Not a problem. I'll take ya to the mess hall, and we can talk more over some food. We really have a lot to discuss, to get you comfortable as a soldier in Her Majesty's Grand Solar Army and then also getting you used to the 88th."

"Of course. This will take time, though. And there will be an event tonight that will of course cut us short."

"The appointment ceremony." She astutely pointed out. "Of course. We'll need to plan what the 88th is doing for this event as well. I've already issued orders for everyone to prepare their dress uniforms. Hopefully that wasn't out of line."

This wasn't such an issue that needed to be brought to me and I expressed this to the Centurion. 

"Anyways, lets get some food," I said, "We've put it off for too long."