Silk, the new and hottest item in the market.
“What exactly is this Ambassador? In my long life I have never seen such a rich purple, let alone felt anything this soft and smooth. Are you sure this is made by hoof and not through some form of alchemy or magic?” Celestia asked with scepticism, already having a hard enough time believing this “cloth” was naturally made.
The zebra ambassador in front of her merely nodded. Whether she finally believed his words this time was another matter entirely, for having grown up nearly his entire life in Canterlot… well some stories seem to just linger on and wont die.
Celestia simply gave a single nod in acknowledgement and returned to admiring the material that occupied her hooves. No matter how many times she ran the material through her hooves she still couldn't grasp the texture and feeling; how could anypony make such a fine and presumably expensive material and not have the world knowing about it until now?
“And what did you call this again Wind Gale?”
“It’s called silk, your majesty. As you can tell from experiencing first hoof, it is a very fine and desirable commodity in my society right now. Many of the nobles and high shamans just can’t seem to get enough of the stuff.”
Celestia would have nodded but instead raised a brow at her friends choice of words. “And what do you mean by right now? Surely this is a Zebra or by extent a Saddle Arabian made garment that's just now getting notice right?”
“I’m afraid you’re wrong in that regard Princess.” Wind Gale corrected his friend and fellow chess enthusiast. “ No disrespect to the Arabians but not even their best could match this, their best just make you itch all over like you contracted the fleas.”
“Wind Gale! I know we’re alone but please behave yourself. Its rude to talk badly about somepony’s work like that...even if it may hold a small amount of truth.”
“Some? That is the truth Celestia.” the Zebra chuckled blissfully before resuming the conversation once more. “But you are as wise as every Princess for catching that, how could we have hidden something of this caliber for so long without the rest of the world finding out sooner?” Wind Gale asked with a hint of building excitement in his voice.
Celestia for the first time since being introduce to the fabric, peeled herself from it to give her friend the courtesy of her undivided attention. She shuffled anxiously in her massive chair at the growing thought and implications the silk would mean for ponykind and the rest of the world.
“Ambassador. Do you truly mean that… that your kind is not responsible for making such a fabric?” Celestia asked, leaning closer to match her friend’s posture who nodded feverishly.
“Than how do you know what’s its called if neither you or the Arabians didn't create this?”
“We were more or else told its name by the ones that first showed us.”
Silence washed over the small gathering as Celestia pondered and absorbed the statement. She opened her mouth several times but didn’t speak for no words came forth. Celestia looked down the length of silk once more and resumed running her hooves along it; shuffling and categorizing all the thoughts, and loose words in her mind until she was satisfied.
“ Wind Gale?” Celestia whispered quietly. “Have you showed this material to anypony besides me?”
Wind Gale leaned back into this chair to choose his next words carefully. They may be friends but this was business and a political matter at that so with a quick adjustment of his braided mane by flicking it over his shoulder and a small cough he continued.
“You’re the first pony, Princess Celestia to see this. Other than the higher standing zebras of my homeland, no other really knows about this, except for the griffons who mayhave heard a rumor or two about it.”
“You mean the griffons are opening relations with your country once more? In honesty ambassador I’m very much surprised and delighted to hear that.”
Wind Gale gave a fake laugh before looking in another direction. “Well they didn't just start out of the blue...they in fact came to our help when we asked for it about 10 years ago.”
“You willing asked for their help and decide it were best to not send a letter or tell me directly?”
“It was a dire time Princess. They were closer when we were firsted attacked…”
“WHAT!”
“Calm down Celestia. We were going to inform you but when both our countries discovered threw that notion right out the window. It wasn't a rival clan or our neighbors that had attacked us but something from behind the main sea.”
Wind gale held his tongue to allow Celestia a chance to soak this information in. He watched and judged Celestia’s every reaction as her muzzled shifted between them. The zebra deciding to sip some more of this tea reached down with his hooves to hold the cup, when the golden aura of this friend stopped him. Wind Gale flicked his eyes from the tea to the Princess who had reclaimed her neutrality once more and smiled friendly at him; he was in trouble.
“Please hold your thirst just a bit longer Wind Gale. I believe I had some questions you were about to answer for me and not just dance around it anymore, or am I wrong in this assumption? Celestia calmly made her demand clear. The zebra in question gulped once in freight before coating himself in a pseudo bravado that would last for the remainder of the meeting.
“Alright Princess Celestia, what questions would you have to ask that require such a display of self assertion?” Wind Gale asked irritably.
Celestia ignored the zebra's comment in favor of correcting her posture for the questioning. She ran several questions through her mind to filter out the ones that overall didn’t explain or add anything new to the topic. She held this train of thought for about a minute before she gave a slight nod of approval of the small list she had created.
“Ok, Wind Gale lets start from the beginning or as close as we can get to it.” Celestia gave a moment of silence for any objections, and when she received none continued. “ You said your species first encounter with this… other species was about 10 years ago correct?”
“Yes, Celestia. Almost to the day to be accurate. If memory recalls its about the time you were trying to play matchmaker on the side.” The zebra snickered, enjoying his friend’s newly flustered muzzle.
“Yes..well it was a sort of phase…” She shook her head rapidly side to side” enough of that Wing Gale, so connect was established 10 years ago and judging from your earlier statement they were the ones to...initiate it first right?”
“So far so good.”
“Which then instead of asking for my help you sought the griffons…”
“They were closer at the time and held interests in the region as well. It only made sense to seek their help against a common threat.” Wind Gale stated with the practice ease that came from a life long career in the political theater.
“ Right… and after that how long did this “war” last and how did you and the griffons end up trading with them?”
“Well its really just us two at the moment. The griffons after the brief fighting, just up and left for their lands once more; not until after several months did we finally get a reply from them denying any involvement or acknowledgement of…” the zebra paused to carefully recall the exact words said. “ a load of striped, dark magic, mind influencing, sack of Celestial lies they have ever heard.”
Celestia didn't even blink once he was finished, instead raised a brow at the words. “ Truly after helping you in your time of need they wouldn't act in such a way, let alone send a reply written by a foal would they?”
Her zebra friend nodded. “They truly did, and when we tried to met with them they denied us. It seem after the fight something really rustl…”
“Please don’t say it Wind…”
“Rustled their tail feathers Celestia. What happened to spook them I can’t say but I think its just the thought and proof that they’re not as strong as they once thought. After the brief "war" they started acting like the entire event hadn't happened at all.”
“But that wouldn’t even explain their actions at all, let alone offer a reasonable suggestion for their sudden change in demeanor.” The alicorn sighed in mild annoyance before pushing forward with her questions. “ Ok so after this the two of you began talks which led to eventual trade relations. What I don’t get is how this species remained hidden from two separate nations that had been around for as long as my sister and I have been alive and are just now being discovered?
Celestia leaned onto the table look her friend in the eyes, the fires of curiosity were alit with the prospect of something new and foreign even to her.
“Pray tell Wind Gale where did they come from and how did they find you?”
The zebra began reclining in his chair, to Celestia’s displeasure as he rubbed the bottom of his muzzle in thought. “Well that Celestia is a story in itself. One that even we zebra have only been told a small fraction of, but from we have been told is one straight out of fantasy and adventure. The Daring Doo books got nothing on this story, princess.”
“Oh? Do tell Wind Gale.”
“Across the uncharted sea they came, upon boats that float above the water with ease as if pegasi were lifting them from the water. Their sails simple, but ingenious. Clad in armor of rich and deep purples that catch and hold many a eye in a trance; only the strongest of wills could turn away but even they chose not to.” Wind Gale eased the chair back onto all fours so he could lean closer to match Celestia who was nearly leaning on the table, eager to her more.
“And do you know what this strange and yet captivating species calls themselves Celestia?” His muzzle was beaming wide in childish delight and excitement. The alicorn shook her head faintly, afraid to take her eyes of him else she would miss what he had to say.
“They call themselves...Romans.”
Author's Note
Alright this is just a small idea that I've been having since I started playing a lot of Europa Universalis 4. I'm not sure if I want to continue it into a full story or leave it as is, that would be decided on how well the story does.
And if the story continues then I feel the Romans/Byzantines will need a kickass them song to announce their arrival don't they? :) I feel this one will do just fine.
