Deep within the Wildland plains near the High Mounts is a small but powerful kingdom. Most of the exterior buildings are mud huts, and those of this kingdom live either within the huts or within the hidden caves peppering the mountain face. Packs of bandits stalk the kingdom's borders, wanting to pillage or destroy it. But those within the kingdom will never give in, and so there are eternal border wars.
The beings of this kingdom are wild and dangerous, impossible to control, at least according to the legends. Most are equine, but not the equines first thought of in reference to the realm. No, these equines run free, roaming far from their homeland in search of food and water, and to escape predators. They fight not with magic, but with hoof and horn. In fact, most have no magic, and for those that do, their magic can't be reined in enough for battle. Unlike traditional power, theirs is not controlled by spells but instead moves organically, free to ebb and flow in tune with the very force of life itself. Those without magic fight like demons, so the legends say, and with their army are devil-birds, huge birds of prey that cannot be harmed by arrow, spear, or blade, that are even immune to magic. At least that's how the stories go.
The strangest thing about these feral creatures is their color. Unlike ponies, they are dull in color, mostly blacks, browns, and grays, but some have exotic patterning- pintos, spotted ones, even some with markings like the wild birds of prey. They are terrifyingly beautiful to behold.
This bizarre kingdom is known as Avia, and within it, a new warrior and heir to the throne gains her crown.
Inside the catacombs of the main castle roams a lithe, powerful equine shape. It's big, the size of a draft horse, and its wings fold tight against its sides.
Oh Great Hawk, don't let me be late! Mother and father will be furious if I'm late!
The creature picks up its pace, from a trot to a gallop to a full-on run, finally halting behind a deep red curtain.
"Falcona, can you hear us?" says a voice on the other side of the curtain.
"If you can," adds a second voice, "enter the throne room now."
At this, the creature steps out from behind the curtain, the light shining through the castle window gleaming off its striped cream-and-russet pelt.
"Falcona, good to see you here," says a speaker on the throne.
"I'm not too late, am I, Mother?"
"Not quite, but almost. Step forward."
"Yes'm."
No more questions now, Falcona only obeys.
"Good," says the speaker on the second throne.
The light centers over all three figures, and those on the throne spread their wings.
"Falcona, you have learned the way of the warrior, yes?" asks Falcona's mother, flicking her ears forward with interest.
The mare seems to lean in closer, the sun glinting off her banded pelt and wings, and her black mask marking.
"Yes, Mother Falcon, and I am ready to defend the kingdom with my life."
"Glad to hear," says Falcon, folding her wings and sitting back down.
"Is your war-bird ready as well?" asks the second speaker, standing at their full height.
Falcona shies away from the piercing golden gaze.
"You might have to ask her yourself, Father Tercel."
"Don't get smart on me, daughter. I will not tolerate sarcasm in this situation."
The stallion rears partway up as a warning, spreading his slate blue wings to their full extent, muscles rippling under his russet fur. Falcona lowers herself even more, flattening her black-and-white banded wings as close to her body as possible. Tercel nods his approval of his daughter's submissive position and speaks again as he lowers his front hooves to the ground.
"Now then, I will ask once more, is your war-bird ready for whatever may come?"
"Indeed she is. Let me call her in."
A soft whinny and the beating of wings, and a falcon lands on the young mare's shoulder.
"She comes when you call I see, but will she obey other commands?" asks Falcon, cocking her head in a questioning way.
"Indeed she will!" replies Falcona, her eyes lighting up as she raises her head.
Another whinny, and the falcon circles the room, flying high as she can go, then swoops and dives, as if attacking an invisible enemy. The king and queen watch in amazement.
"Yes, she's definitely ready," says Tercel, his ears flicking up with amusement.
"Are you ready for the ceremony, daughter?" asks Falcon, returning her gaze to Falcona.
"Yes I am! Very much so." Falcona grins, itching to run free.
"Then you may rise."
Falcona leaps to her feet and rears in excitement, spreading her wings in full.
"Peace, little filly!" says Falcon, no longer able to hide her amusement. "Save your excitement til after the ceremony."
"Ah, ahem, pretend that didn't happen..." says Falcona, blushing under her fur.
"Of course," smirks Tercel. He turns to a guard. "Guard! Call the townsfolk into the square so the crowning ceremony can begin!"
"Yes your Highness!" replies the guard, running outside.
A moment later, a horn sounds throughout the kingdom, summoning the common folk to the town square. By the time they arrive, the current rulers and the heir to the throne are waiting. In the center of the square stands the current king and queen, and in front of them, Falcona.
"We have called you all here for an important announcement," says Falcon, her golden gaze intense and ears perked high with alertness.
"Falcon and I have been your rulers for a long time, we've led you in many a battle," says Tercel, a dark look in his eyes.
"But the time has come for us to step down," says Falcon. "We are too old for battle now."
"However, our daughter is not. She will be the new leader," says Tercel.
The townsfolk bow before their new queen, then another blast from the horn dismisses them.
"Time for us to leave," says Falcon.
"And time for you to get a sword and armor," says Tercel.
"Go to Ironhoof's smithy," says Falcon. "She's the best metalworker in the kingdom."
"As you wish, mother and father. But what will you do?"
"We're going to travel to the High Mount as our final journey," says Tercel, his tone solemn.
"May the Great Hawk watch over you and keep you blessed," adds Falcon.
Falcona doesn't speak, just nuzzles her parents, holding back her tears. Her parents nuzzle her back, though they too remain silent. Then they break away from their daughter, spreading their wings and taking to the air.
Falcona watches them leave, trying not to show her emotions.
No! I won't cry, not now. Sadness can wait, I need a sword and armor. Then when I'm alone, I can let it go. But for now, sadness means weakness, and I can't show weakness! Not when the entire kingdom is counting on me!
Brushing her feelings aside, Falcona starts toward Ironhoof's smithy.
