Ice Veins

Celestia led Rurik, Shining, and Cadence down the hall to a pair of large doors that stood about 12 feet tall and appeared to be made of solid oak. The two guard ponies on either side opened the doors and showed them into the dining hall. The room was large, with a good sized table made of cherry dominated the center, with matching chairs around it. Standing off to the side of the table was what Rurik had to admit to himself was one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen. She was a bit shorter than Celestia and was a midnight blue in coloration. The mane that blew ethereally was like the night sky, complete with shining, glowing stars. She was speaking to what looked like a pegasus, but instead of the usual feathery wings; they were more like those of a bat, and when he opened his mouth to speak, Rurik noticed that the pegasus had curved fangs rather than the teeth that ponies normally had, which were more suited to eating vegetables. The pony was definitely a member of the royal guard as his armor was a dead giveaway, but unlike the golden colored armor worn by Celestia’s guards, this pony wore a silver colored set. His coloration was also different from the Solar Guards, whereas most of them were white as snow or a slate grey color, this pony was pitch black. Whatever conversation the two were having had ended just before the doors were opened, and the guard saluted her and exited. Luna turned to greet her sister and the others.

“Good morning Luna.” Celestia greeted with a smile.

“Greetings sister, is this the visitor that thou hast told us of?” asked Luna.

“Yes Luna, and you are slipping again.” Said Celestia with a smile.

“Curses! I did it again?!” asked Luna; Celestia nodding her head in confirmation.

“It’s fine Luna, you are doing much better. Anyhow, Luna, this is Lord Rurik Skull-Taker of the Kingdom of Skyrim. He is his king’s chief engineer. Rurik, this is my sister Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night and Raiser of the Moon.” Said Celestia introducing the two.

“Greetings Lord Rurik, it is good to finally meet the one who put that trash scow Bright Wand in his place.” Said Luna with a smile.

“Greetings majesty; it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well and as for the situation with Viscount Bright Wand: it was my pleasure.” replied Rurik kindly with an incline of his head. Before the conversation could continue, a high pitched whining voice was heard coming down the hall.

“Auntie Tia!!!” it exclaimed. Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor all rolled their eyes and their faces all held a look of annoyed dread. Rurik wondered why until the door opened and in stepped a unicorn with a pristine white coat and blonde mane. He wore an expensive looking vest with a bowtie and a rose clipped to one of his lapels.

“Auntie Tia!” he said again at finding Princess Celestia.

“What is it nephew?” said Celestia in an annoyed tone that the stallion seemed to completely disregard if he had noticed it at all.

“My good friend Captain-General Bergmane says his honor was insulted by- SWEET FAUST WHAT IS THAT MONSTROSITY!!!!???” shrieked Blueblood at noticing Rurik.

‘Oh sweet Ysmir, two fops in one morning? What fresh hell have I fallen into?’ Rurik thought to himself.

“This is Lord Rurik Skull-Taker. He is a noble from a place called Skyrim.” Said Celestia. Blueblood approached and walked a circle around the Nord, looking him up and down.

“So you are the ruffian who insulted my friend! Nobleman or no, you have no right to accuse him of anything you filthy monkey.” Blueblood began to lecture arrogantly. Rurik smiled before kneeling to eye level with the prince, and looked him dead in the eyes.

“This monkey didn’t climb to the top of the food chain to be insulted by prey.” Hissed Rurik with a terrifying grin; his fangs extending to their full length and his eyes glowing their ominous red. Blueblood’s eyes widened in a comical manner, before he shrieked in a voice akin to a scared little filly and bolted back out the door he walked in. When Rurik turned around, he was treated to the sight of three chuckling princesses: even Shining had a smirk on his face.

“Shall we sit and have something to drink? Some wine perhaps?” asked Celestia.

“I do not drink wine; but if you have some mead, that would be most welcome.” Replied Rurik with a smile.

“I think that can be arranged.” Said Luna.

The four sat down with at the table and ordered some drinks, waiting for Twilight and the others and had a small conversation that consisted mostly of them asking questions about Rurik’s homeland and what it was like; Shining simply remained silent while sitting next to his wife.

Canterlot Train Station.

Twilight and her friends stretched their legs as they exited their train car. The three hour ride from Ponyville to Canterlot always stiffened the joints no matter how spacious the train cars were. As they exited the train car, the six friends and their guard escorts noticed a familiar face.

“Soarin!” Dash exclaimed, before flying over and wrapping her coltfriend up in a hug and sharing a loving kiss with him.

“Hi Dashie! How’s it going?” he asked with a smile.

“Pretty good! So what’s up with you?” she replied.

“Princess Celestia sent me to bring you and the girls up to the palace.” Answered Soarin.

“Sounds good, shall we?” asked Steel Shod.

“Sure thing, everypony have what they need?” asked Soarin. The element bearers nodded yes, and the party departed for the royal palace, with Twilight silently hoping that Rurik hadn’t severely beaten any nobles, particularly Blueblood.

It did not take long for the element bearers and their escorts to reach the palace, where they were ushered into the banquet hall to have breakfast with the princesses and Rurik, who much to Twilight’s relief had not given anypony more than a severe verbal beat down. Once breakfast was over, everyone moved down the hall to a large conference room where Celestia ordered all the guards except for Shining, Steel Shod, and Blood Mane out of the room. As soon as the doors were closed, Celestia cast a sound proofing spell and the meeting began.

“Welcome everyone, I hope you all had a good journey to Canterlot. Now, down to business. As you all know, there was an attempt on my life a few days ago. Lord Rurik, our guest from another world, has helping us in our efforts to ferret out a conspiracy. Due to his knowledge gained from the late Count Red Brand, and his generous offer of help, I am giving any plan that Lord Rurik comes up with a shot, meaning that you will do as he says unless I say otherwise. Rurik, I will give you the floor.” Said Celestia calmly; the Nord could already tell that there were some ponies in the room who did not like the idea.

“Thank you majesty. I hope that I will be able to help resolve this issue. Now about the attempted assassination; I am assuming that her majesty has already given those of you who were not present during the attempt the details?” he asked looking around the room. Everyone that the question applied to nodded their heads up and down.

“Good, now, the individuals who orchestrated the attack are involved in some sort of secret society that wants to eliminate all three of the princesses and restore the social order of the pre- Princess Equestria. I hope to make a strategy that will work to our advantage, and help us catch a few of them,  interrogate them, and find out more about these traitors so they can be brought down." Began Rurik.

“But it should be the Royal Guard’s job to plan this shouldn’t it? Why should we trust some outlander we just met a few days ago?” asked Shining aggressively.

“Because I fear that the guard maybe compromised. Aside from yourself, Blood Mane, Steel Shod, and the guards present during the attempt, I worry that whoever the conspirators are may have agents within the guard. These scum have a large pool of resources, and I fear that some of the guards may be involved in the conspiracy itself, or on the conspirators' payroll.” Answered Rurik matter of factly. Shining would have said more, were it not for Celestia shooting him a firm look that he knew meant to keep silent.

“Please save all questions and concerns until after Rurik finishes.” Stated Celestia calmly. Other hooves went down and everyone allowed Rurik to continue explaining his strategy.

“Thank you Princess; now what and when is the next big event that royalty would attend here in Equestria?” Rurik asked. Shining raised his hoof once more. “Yes Captain?”

“That would be the Royal Canterlot Charity Ball, although Princess Celestia is usually the only one who attends as per security protocols.” Answered Steel Shod.

“With the possibility of enemy agents in the rank and file guard and the officer corps; I am sure that they will know this. Tell me more about the ball.” Said Rurik.

“The ball is the same every year. Only one of the princesses are there. Before Princess Luna returned, it was only Princess Celestia or Princess Cadence.” Explained Lieutenant Blood Mane.

“In that case, I propose we give them an opportunity that they won’t be able to refuse. I believe that the best way to lure these evil bastards out is to announce that all three princesses will be at the ball.” Said Rurik thoughtfully. He could tell instantly that Shining Armor did not approve.

“But that would put their lives in danger, and having them all together would make the assassins’ goals more possible to achieve!” Growled Shining.

“This is very true, which is why I would not even suggest it if I thought we could find another option to lure them out, but from what I saw of Red Brand’s memories, this would be the only thing that would make them expose themselves.” Responded Rurik calmly.

“It’s extremely risky; but if they want their majesties dead as bad as Rurik says, then it may be the only way to draw them out and capture them.” Said Steel Shod grimly.

“I don’t like it one bit.” Stated Shining. “It puts not one, but all of the princesses in too much danger.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m with Shining on this one. Nothing against you Lord Rurik, but as a Solar Guard I am charged with the safety of Princess Celestia and cannot support a plan that puts her or any other member of the royal family in harm’s way, even if she orders me to go along with it.” Said Blood Mane politely.

“It will be a chance that we may have to take. If we do not do this then we will have their threat looming over our heads until we are eventually picked off one at a time, and then they will succeed in their goal anyway.” Stated Luna stoically.

“If it makes you feel better, I will stand by the princesses with your guards to protect them from harm.” Offered Rurik. At this Shining’s face became sour.

“And what do you know about protecting royalty?” questioned Shining rudely.

“I acted as one of my king’s bodyguards in the final battle of my country’s civil war when King Ulfric led the final assault on the then capital of Skyrim. I took my fair share of arrows and slashes that day and survived: and there wasn’t a single mark on my king. I wasn’t even a vampire back then.” Answered Rurik.

“And what about Element Bearers?!” Shining growled.

“I highly recommend that the Element Bearers be kept away from the action and not attend. The less bystanders at this thing, the better. The more ponies in that ballroom means a higher chance of a hostage situation.” Explained Rurik.

“Negative; the Element Bearers will expected to be at the ball if they are in town. It may make the targets suspicious if they are in the capital, but absent from a big charity event.” Said Steel Shod with a sigh.

“Are any of the guards present during the attack on duty?” asked Rurik.

“All of them. I also took the liberty of reviewing all of their dossiers, and they all appear to be in the clear.” Answered Blood Mane.

“Excellent, we will assign each element bearer a guard then. I just hope that you are correct in them being in the all clear. Now we just need approval for this plan to be put into action.” Stated Rurik turning to the three royals.

The Princesses looked at each other before answering.

“I am for it. Why should we hide like cowards from these gutter running scum?” asked Luna.

“I am of a mind with Aunt Luna. If we hide, we are showing them that we fear them, and I do not fear them.” Stated Cadence, drawing a look of disbelief from her husband, and admiration from Rurik. Everyone looked to Celestia; as the head princess, it was her decision that would make or break the plan.

“If there is no other way to draw these traitors out, then so be it. We are more than capable of defending ourselves if need be, and can lend our magic to capture or if need be destroy them.” Said Celestia.

“Very well then, all in favor? Asked Rurik. A chorus of ‘ayes’ echoed around the room; it was not as if there was much of a choice. The princess had made up her mind, and there was little anyone could do to persuade her otherwise. The only dissenting voices were predictably Shining Armor and Lieutenant Blood Mane. “Very well then, Princess, I turn the meeting back over to you.” He finished.

“Thank you Rurik; now I want Steel, Rurik, Blood Mane, and Shining Armor to work on security and evacuation plans as well as how we capture these traitors. Twilight, you and your friends search around the library. There is something all too familiar about this group, whoever they are, and perhaps you will find something there. All we have to go on at the moment is this, and I would like to know a bit more of what we are up against.” said Celestia, as she floated over an old amulet with her telekinesis.

“What is that?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“It was an amulet that we found on Red Brand’s body. All we know is that it is very old, no one seems to know what the inscription on it means. I feel that I have seen similar ones before, but my memory escapes me.” Explained Celestia. “Make sure you don’t reveal to anyone why you are truly in the archives. This must be kept secret, lest these traitors find out.”

“Sure thing princess! What are we looking for?” asked Twilight.

“Anything you can find about old secret societies, or even newer ones.” Answered Celestia. The six friends looked at each other and nodded.

“You can count on us!” Twilight replied as she took the amulet in her own magic.

“Good, and with that, I declare this meeting adjourned.” Finished Celestia.