The Throne of Lions

"So, who are these Dashites or Dashians or whatever they're called, why does Lady Sparkle want their heads to roll? Isn't House Dash allied with us?" Thorn Wood, one of the two guards assigned to the prisoners asked, drinking a tankard of hard mead to warm himself. He looked at the cell where the prisoners were held.

His partner, Ankle Breaker sighed, taking a bite out of her cornbread. "Are you that stupid, or I you have some kinda memory issue? The Dashians are a rouge branch of Lady Dash's rouge Magister hunters. They want to eradicate ALL Magister, not just the rogue ones. Both Lady Dash and Lady Sparkle want them beheaded for several accounts of murder they've committed on Magisters. Especially Grand Magister Yce, the court Mage of House Flutters." She said, taking a swig of chilled ale.

They both turned when they heard loud thuds on the ground. The headsman, Gut Duster, was massive. He stood roughly seven hooves tall, and had fore and hind legs as thick as a tree trunk. He wore a black face concealing mask, chainmail armor, and had his large headsman's axe, affectionaly named "Steel Slice" lay strapped across his back. "Are the prisoners ready to go to the gods?" He asked in his deep voice.

Ankle nodded nervously, almost everyone feared Gut Duster, guards included. She lifted up the mask of her helmet, revealing her amber colored fur. "Yes sir, the muderers are ready, and so is Blueblood." She got out a brass key, and opened the cell. The scout, spy, and Blueblood stepped out, quivering.

Gut turned his masked face to the two Dashians, a hidden grin forming on his face. "You two low life's first. Oh, and don't crap or bleed too much, we got other scum to execute." He dragged the two by their chains, leaving Blueblood cowering in fear.

Gut Duster was very precise, he never took too long when beheading, or botched it up, unless requested to. He would simply lop of the head, show it to the crowd for a bit, and move on, same as usual. It only took him five minutes at the most to behead the two. He came back, loud cheering bursting through the open door, a spatter of blood covering his chest.

"You next pretty boy." He smirked, pulling the Prince, who was currently making a pathetic attempt to escape, out the door. A large throng of ponies had come to watch, filling every seat in the viewing area, which could hold about fifty thousand or so, including the members of House Sparkle.

Twilight sat on a gilded throne in the center of the viewing platform, her face resting on one hoof, a smirk on her face. He looked to Cadence, his older sister, who quickly looked away, a cold look in her eyes. Lord Sparkle sat on a throne next to his sister, taking a drink from a bottle of cider imported from House Apple.

Tears formed in his eyes as he was slowly led to the chopping block, carved out of cold stone. He almost lurched when he saw the trough containing two other head, still warm. Twilight stood up from her throne, a hoof silencing the crowd, her cloak flapping in the frozen breeze of the kingdom.

"Ladies and gentlecolts of Ponyfell. You have witnessed the beheading of two rogue Dashians, but now we have the special treat. The ex-Prince Blueblood, brother of my former foalsitter Cadence, has been found guilty of the high crime of treason and subterfuge. It was he, only two months ago, who aided in the escape of the greedy Baron Harkonnen, who, as you all may know, stole several hundred of thousands worth of property and bits from the Royal Treasury of House Chrysali, and, after interrogation, it was Blueblood who ordered the attempt on my life yesterday. So, before his beheading, does the accused have anything to say?" She looked to Blueblood, venom in her tone.

Blueblood raised his head, defiance in his voice, "Yes, I am Blueblood the twenty-fifth, of the House Lunaria, adopted nephew of the former rulers of this land and brother of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Sombra has bested the Princesses, and reigns as our new king. Long Live Sombra!" He yelled, as he was pressed firmly onto the slab by Gut's hoof. His last words sent the crowd into a fury, which was quieted by Lady Sparkle's hoof.

She looked into Blueblood's eyes, and lowered her hoof. A loud SQUELCH echoed throughout the room as his head was cleaved from his body. The executioner raised the head to the crowd, causing them to cheer loudly at his death.

Twilight smiled coldly, before dishing from her chair, and leaving. Followed by her brother and sister-in-law, back into the confines of the castle.

---Martyr Hold, House Dash---

Rainbow was in her bed chambers, a journal lay to the side on her desk. She was currently reading book of strategy when a knock sounded at her door. Sighing, she put down her book, "Enter." She turned to the door. She wore the armor of her House, cyan blue and gold, except for the dark green cape, silver circlet with amethyst, and, her Element of Harmony tied around her neck. The House, originally named House Martyr, had been named for her great-great-grandfather, Lord Tyrn Martyr, but she had changed it when she became its head. Her short sword was always within hoof's reach.

One of her guards, Lieutenant Thunderlane, rushed into her room, kneeling, out of breath, most of his armor was singed and torn. "Lady Dash, you must help us!"

Rainbow was caught off guard, she unsheathed her sword, "What is it Thunderlane? Werewolves? Lupus Minors?" She grabbed her shield, cyan blue, the insignia was was her Cutie Mark

"Two battalions of House Sombris soldiers have laid siege to the House Flutters settlement of Sallow!" He said, terror in his eyes.

Rainbow growled, "Ready as many troops as you can Lieutenant. We ride to Sallow!" She galloped out the door.