25th of Thror’s month, year 997, in Equestria’s Second Age
Hayfax was once a beautiful city. Nestled into a perfect natural harbor, the mix of master crafted wood and polished green marble made the buildings and boardwalks unlike any other city in Equestria. But in the face of mother nature’s might, such beauty easily fades. The strong, salty winds and near-weekly thunderstorms did their toll on the architecture. So, despite it’s status as one of the most important ports in the kingdom, Hayfax looked old, derelict, and abandoned.
The very same wind that had damaged the city’s pristine beauty now blew through Flash Sentry’s tousled mats of hair, carrying with it the scent of salt and brine. Flash turned and looked out over the sea, silently taking a moment to remind himself why he loved being here. It shone in the midday sun, sparkling like a field of sapphires. The water stretched on, vast, monolithic, indifferent and unchanging. It continued on over the horizon, curving towards strange, unknown lands.
“Lower the gallons, royals and mains!”, cried the quartermaster from below. “Hop to it Lads!”
“Aye Sir!”, Replied the men.
Snapped out of his reverie, Flash scrambled to complete his task. He swiftly climbed up the ratlines on the side of the ship with practiced ease, eventually stopping halfway up the mast. He quickly began to untie the knots holding up the mainsail, as the King and Lionheart prepared to pull out of port.
The knots undone, Flash turned to get one last glimpse of the city. Just then he saw two strange people running towards the ship down the pier. Officials by the looks of them.
Just as the sailors had finished undocking the ship they reached the end of the pier, shouting something to the captain, though Flash couldn't tell what from this high up. A couple of moments and a short conversation later, the Captain help get them and their bags onto the ship.
“Alright, cast off lads, let’s get moving!”
As the ship began to move, Flash Sentry started to climb his way back down to the deck. On his way down he stole another glance at the surprise passengers. It was a young man and a woman, both of them regally dressed, the man in the purple uniform that marked him as captain of the guard. The young woman was beautiful by all conventional standards, and her gold armband distinguished her as royalty.
“Blimey,” Swore Flash under his breath.
A simple frigate like the King and Lionheart rarely had such distinguished guests, as royalty usually traveled on the larger vessels. But, despite this, their presence was quickly pushed to the back of Davidson’s mind, as he went to answer the Quartermaster’s incessant yelling.
~
That night, Flash lied atop the crow’s nest, his head resting on a coil of spare rope. His shipmate’s snoring and sweat drove him up here most nights, and he enjoyed looking at the stars. The night was beautiful, completely cloudless and silent. The still and warm air of early summer provided much more comfort that any blanket in the crew’s quarters.
The silence was broken by the sounds of someone climbing the ropes beneath him. A few moments later a pair of hands appeared, gripping the edge of the platform. The Captain of the guard pulled himself up, and crouched near the edge, gripping a hanging rope for support.
The two stayed there for a moment, observing the beauty of the ocean and stars in companionable silence. It took the newcomer a few moments to even notice that Davidson was there, still as he was. But, eventually, he spoke.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but you seem quite familiar. Flash Guard, was it?” the newcomer asked.
“Sentry sir, though a’m quite suprise’d that ye remember a simple lad such as myself.” Flash replied.
“You were a guardsman under my command, weren’t you?”
“Aye.”
“Well forgive me for prying, but what in Equestria are you doing here?”
“Well, a bit o’ a drinkin’ poblem, bit o’ a women problem, an a bit o’ an authori’y problem, along with a small altercation with the sergeant's daugh’r... le’s just say the royal guard wasn’t exac’ly fer me.”
This elicited a small chuckle from the Guardsman, and then the two returned to silence.
“So, what brings ye up ‘ere on this fine even’n? Couldn’ sleep?”
“Yes, I guess so.”
“Aye, I suppose’d it’d be a bit crowded there in the cabin, what you, the Cap’n and yer missus both.”
“Wait, you think... I mean... we’re not.. I mean she’s a...” Stammered the Captain of the guard, a fierce red rushing across his cheeks.
“Right sorry there mate, seein’ as how the two of yous were actin’ this af’ernoon I figured that you might as well be.” the sailor said with barely suppressed laughter.
“It it really that obvious?” The Captain asked, scratching the back of his neck.
“Sir, if the twos of you ‘ave someth’n fer eachoth’r, you’v both got all the tact of a beached whale goin’ about it.”
This only served to heighten the guardsman’s blush, and it took several minutes for his embarrassment to fade.
“I mean, do... do you really think that I, that we could be... I mean, she’s royalty! There’s no way that I-”
“Mate, far as I know, there aint anythan’ say’n against it, and with yous bein an officer of such high stature, I really ca’n see there be’in much prole’m with it.” replied Flash Sentry.
With that they returned to silence for a few moments, Flash quietly making up his mind. Eventually the Guilt won out.
“Tell ye what, take this.”, said the sailor, sitting up.
With that, Flash reached into his pocket and flicked a small object into the air like a coin. As it flipped through the air it glinted in the light. The guardsman reflexively reached out and grabbed it, just as it began to fall.
It was a ring, simple at first glance. The band was plain, unadorned metal, with a small white diamond set in the center. But, on closer inspection, the piece revealed it’s deceptive beauty. The gem was slightly raised from the band, attached with only four strands of silver, thin as spiderwebs. The band was engraved with ridiculously shallow lines, forming intricate patterns of astounding detail. The gem itself was clear as glass, intricately cut, especially for it’s small size, and seemed to not just shine, but glow with the moonlight.
“It’s... beautiful. Why on earth would you give me something like this, It’s been at least three years since the last I saw you, and we barely know each other.”
“Figured now would be as good a time as any to give that to ya, seein’ as ‘ow it’s yours an’yway”
“What do you mean, I’ve never even seen this befo-”
“I stole it mate. Pinched it from yer quar’ers the day ye discharg’d me, while I was on me way ‘out. Always ment te sell ‘it off somewheres, never could bring me’self to though.”
“Really! Well I never-”
Just then the normally still night air was broken by a rogue wind blowing in from the west. Down on the deck the ship barely shifted, but the movement was accentuated atop the mast, which jolted wildly to the side. Flash, accustomed to such events, reflexively gripped the side of the platform to prevent himself from sliding off. The guardsman however, was not so lucky.
*SPLASH*
“ ‘aw damn”
Seeing the nobleman flailing about in the water beside the ship, Flash stripped off his shirt and boots, and dove off the crow’s nest after him.
By the time Flash hit the water, the ocean’s currents had already started pulling the guardsman out to sea. The sailor glided over to him within the space of a few seconds, using the same current to his advantage. Flash tried to grab the flailing Nobleman under the arms, but his efforts were rewarded with a wild slap to the face.
“Quit yer falin’ would ya?”
“Help! I cant swim! I can’t sw-”
“SHUT UP, ‘am right ‘ere. Now ‘old still so I can grab ye.”
Flash grabbed the guardsman about the waist, and the two men began to slowly make their way back to the side of the ship.
~
The pair finally hauled themselves up and over the railing and collapsed onto their backs, panting, half drowned, and soaking wet.
“Hah... hah... thanks for... hah... that...”
“Don’ ... hah... don’ mention it”
“No.. hah.. really I.. hurk ”
The guardsman quickly rolled over to his side, vomiting out copious amounts of salty seawater onto the deck.
“Hah... hah... hehehe...”, Flash chuckled “Somethin’ to... hah... tell the grankid’s ‘bout eh?”
“Hah... yeah” the Captain of the guard replied, as he rolled back to face the sailor, “Grandkids...”
“A’right, quit yer misty eye’d daydream’n, les get ye dry’d off, eh?”, Davidson replied, climbing to his feet and extending a hand. The guardsman accepted the outstretched offer, and was pulled to his feet in turn. He absentmindedly reached into his pocket, and the giddy smile instantly vanished from his face. Turning to his crestfallen companion, Davidson said, ”Ey lad, was the matt’r?”
“I lost it.”, he flatly replied
“Los wha’ now?”
“The ring. It was in my pocket when I fell and it must have come out. Oh god, I lost your beautiful ring.”
“Don’ mention it. Like Ah said, ‘twas yers anyhow Misser...., ye know, Ah never did quite ca’ch yer name.”
“It’s ah... it’s Shining. Shining Armor.”
“Well, I’s quite fine to meet ye Misser Armor.”, the sailor replied, slapping him on the back, “Now les’ get ye dried off, ye seem te be a tad’ bit wet.”
“As if you’re any better” he replied with a light chuckle.
~
The King and Lionheart rocked back and forth slightly as its crew lashed her to the dock. The sun shone brightly, glinting off the water, the smell of salt filled the air, and the gulls and peer-side merchants made for a (not unpleasant) cacophony of noise.
Shining Armor stepped of the ship’s railing with a slight hop, his boots hitting the dock with a dull thud. The city ambassador called his attention, and they made some meaningless small talk, Shining not really listening. Behind them the ambassador’s servants began to unload his and the Princess’s scant luggage, but Shining’s attention was focused elsewhere. Further along down the shale beach, the sun reflected off a small object, making a tiny pinprick of light, and the guardsman couldn’t help but keep glancing at it throughout the ambassador’s incessant chatter.
“Hold a moment.” He said, putting up a hand.
Shining jumped off the dock, the rocky beach’s pebbles scattering. He stood up to full height, and began a quick jog toward the shining object. Reaching the point, he skidded to a stop, stooping over to pick it up.
It was a ring, made with a simple engraved silver band, and faceted with a single, shining diamond. Grinning, he rose from his stooped position. Shining turned, and looked back toward the dock, where the Ambassador and Princess were sending him anxious looks. Looking back down at the ring in his hand, Shining’s smile widened.
“Maybe”, he thought. “Maybe...”
~Fin.
Author's Note
Like I said in the description, this is my first story, so every, and I mean every peice of advice and critisism will be taken into account.
Thank you.
