Mark of Baen

That following night, was the night everything changed.  It had been a normal night for the barbarian, after getting dinner with Twilight and the girls and talking the night away.  He retired to his home, took off his armor, and went down to sleep.  But in the process, even though the pony was always careful, he couldn’t defend himself in his sleep.  As Baen slept, a soft green glow enveloped his door down below in his entryway and gently glided open.  A mare lightly stepped inside as Vida gazed around the domicile.  Her hoof gently traced along the back of the couch as she passed it, he eyes trailing along the possessions littering the home.  Casting a glance over to the far corner, her eyes widened and sparkled.  The axe, there it lay before the stairs leading upstairs.  Gently approached it, like an appraiser in a museum.  Her hoof traced over each crease, every scuff, and finally the blade edge.

“It is you,” she whispered, “All these years of imprisonment and you still live,” she smiled warmly as a bit of blood was drawn from her hoof.  She paid it no mind as she magically closed it.

She chuckled and gently ascended the staircase; her hoof falls as quiet and focused as a cat.  Soon she stood before the door to the master bedroom.  Her smile transitioned from two settings.  First, a calm and warm smile slowly turned to an icy cold and lustful smirk as she opened.  When it fully opened, the smirk turned to a cheshire grin when she saw the shape asleep in the bed before her.  She slinked into the room, the door gently shutting behind her.  Her rings, tiara, and cloak, vanished in a small burst of green magic as she gently stepped onto the bed.  The barbarian’s body beneath her gently shifted as she stared down with glee at the calm face of Baen.

“Hmmm~,” she purred as she ran a hoof gently down his face.

Baen turned fully on his back as Vida leaned down and inhaled softly.  She trembled lightly, the smell of wild roses and steel tinged with the wild untamed musk of nature, it truly was him.  She tiled her head as she fully lay atop him.  For a moment, Baen didn’t move, but then his body reacted to the sudden shift in weight and sent the emergency wake up signals.

Baen’s eyes slowly fluttered open and then they snapped fully open as he beheld the shape above him, “What manner of shadow is this?”

Vida tilted her head, on hoof resting under her chin as her free one started to circle his chest, “I am no shadow, lover,” the last word dripped with honey, “how long I have wished to feel your body against mine after all these years.”

Baen blinked at the witch, “V…Vida?  This cannot be,” he attempted to move, but her gaze and a quick spell bound him in his current position, “This…this is not REAL!  You’re imprisoned!”

“Ah,” she tutted, “I was imprisoned my love.  Did you not think that one such as I,” she licked his cheek to which he trembled at, “would not find a way to break that seal placed on me?”

Baen growled lightly, “Speak all you want witch!  I bested you once and I shall do it again!”

Vida rested her head against his neck, “Ah but that was different times my love,” she purred into his ear, “We were different ponies.”

Baen tried to squirm out from under her but the spell held him firmly, “What reason do you have to be here you blasted siren!”

Vida smirked and stared into his eyes, “Ah, as always, so serious love.”

“I am not, nor will I ever be,” he seethed, “your lover.”

Vida pouted and smiled almost tauntingly, “Oh how soon you forget,” she stared dreamily into space, “the night we spent within my castle.  You would have been mine,” her gaze hardened in anger, “if those fools had not interfered.”

“Don’t try to justify your seduction temptress; you would have thrown me aside like all those others,” Baen growled, “Why are you here…for that matter.  Why are you here in Equestria?”

Vida pressed her nose to his gently, “Oh, I merely wish to establish my dominion my warrior,” she licked his lips to which he tried to bite her tongue, “hm.  That look…somepony has captured your heart.  How unfortunate.”

Baen growled like a caged lion as Vida shook her head, gently rubbing her body against his before climbing off of him; her garbs reappeared a moment later.

“But I shall not be deterred, once more you shall be mine, my Baen,” she smiled lightly, “Of course, that will be after I have what I want.”

Baen was about to speak, but then, Vida spoke one word.

“Sleep….”

*

Baen sat up straight and looked around his room fast.  The sun shined brightly in the mid-morning light and sighed in relief.

“A nightmare…,” he rubbed his face, “Just a nightmare.”

He shook his head lightly as he ventured downstairs and stopped.  Resting on his table was a scroll with a familiar seal on it.  Quickly crossing the room, he unfurled the scroll and read it with a focused gaze.

Dear Baen,

I am writing to you this morning with the gravest news.  Though you are most likely wondering as to why I send this letter to you and not Twilight, allow me to explain.  A few nights ago, a…personal item of my sister and I’s, went missing.  Though this might not seem an emergency requiring your attention, what we have recently discovered might.  After scanning the scene extensively, we discovered traces of what I could only assume as Old Magic….

Baen paused for a moment with an inhale before reading.

At first, Luna and I were skeptical on the finding.  We only know you are the only user of this magic, but upon closer examination we further discovered that his magic though tainted, was indeed Old Magic.  I realize this might inconvenience you, but being the only consultant we have on hoof who has dealt with Old Magic in all its forms.  I request that you please make for Canterlot as soon as possible.

Sincerely your friend, Princess Celestia.

Baen dropped the letter in the bin and made for his armor and axe.

*

When the train had pulled into the station, Baen immediately hit the ground running.  After the guards allowed him into the gate…abet they had to move lest they get run over, the barbarian found Celestia pacing.

“Celestia.”

Princess Celestia glanced up and gave a small smile, “Baen, thank Faust,” she ushered him to follow.

As the two ponies trotted down the halls, Baen passed by an open room and noticed something covered in a sheet.

“Princess…”

“I’ll explain when we arrive.”

In silence, they travelled to the large room in the castle that was its library.  After coming inside, Baen noticed a few things.  First, Luna was busy examining the surrounding area with her magic, most likely scanning for anything missed.  Lying near the door was a suit of Night Guard armor, discarded and left by its wearer.  Baen’s eyes then traveled to a section of the floor and noticed an outline of a pony done in chalk.  Nodding he ventured toward Luna who turned her head and regarded Baen with a smile.

“Sir Baen, it’s good to see you again,” she looked to the side, “Though I and my sister wish it were under more happier circumstance.”

Baen nodded, “I feel the same,” he looked at the massive stone doors, “Is this the chamber that was raided?”

Celestia nodded, “Unfortunately yes.”

Baen glanced at her, “What exactly was contained within this chamber?”

Celestia nodded to some nearby guards who were dismissed, “Know this,” she stated, “What I am about to tell you must never leave this room, do you understand?”

Baen nodded as Celestia inhaled to steady herself, “As you know.  Luna and I have been around for many years, countless in fact.  It’s these years and the wisdom we have accumulated with our time that makes us the rulers we are today,” Celestia sat herself, “In saying that, there are some mysteries in Equestria that even escape our understanding.”

Baen nodded as Luna and he sat down, the lunar princess continuing to talk after Celestia, “My sister speaks the truth.  It is for these findings that we recorded them in a series of personal journals.  Though we say series,” Luna looked to Celestia, “we both agreed that we would inform our guards that all the information was merely contained in the one we stored here.  As a fallback measure in the event any of them were interrogated."

Celestia nodded, “Indeed.  To further secure the knowledge, we placed this one journal here under the strictest guard and the strongest containment spells and protection enchantments.”

Baen raised a questioning hoof, “But why keep such a journal out in the open?”

Celestia sighed, “We chose this particular one, because the knowledge contained within it though powerful, would prove foalish and a foolhardy errand to undertake.”

Baen shook his head as Luna voiced his thought, “the other reason was due to our close friend Starswirl, who spent many days among these very shelves, to add to the journal.”

Baen tilted his head, “What exactly was he researching?”

Celestia glanced around, “Within this journal was knowledge on a mystery that to this day, we can still not solve,” she straightened herself, “To know this story is to tell of Equestria when we first ascended the throne.”

Luna nodded as Celestia gave her the gesture to explain, “When Discord was defeated.  Equestria was still in a state of disarray.  My sister and I needed ponies of true hearts and noble spirit to keep the ponies of Equestria safe and to ensure their own safety by enforcing our laws.  It was thus, that we created the Knights of The Round.  The first guard of Equestria and by far the finest ponies we had the pleasure of knowing.”

Celestia smiled in remembrance, “There was Lancelot.  An earth pony whose loyalty and honor was without question.  Then there was Lancelot’s father Ban, a noble pony who served alongside his son valiantly.  Then there was Gawain, a unicorn of great skill.”

Luna nodded, “Then there was Arthur Pendragon, a pegasus with a great heart and a leader of natural born skill…..,” she trailed off, “Then…there was Mordred.”

Celestia nodded, “He was…,” Celestia waved a hood, “it doesn’t matter, the reason we tell you this is because to each of them, we bestowed to them great weapons,” Baen nodded as they spun their tale, “These weapons, were known as the six sacred swords.  Arondight, Galatine, Caliburnus, Excalibur, Coreiseuse, and Clarent.  Each sword powerful relics of unimaginable power, if wielded by just ponies, they could preserve kingdoms.  But if used for evil,” her look became dark, “they would ruin kingdoms.”

Luna nodded, “It was because of this that we granted them to our knights.”

Baen tapped his chin, “During your tale, you mentioned one known as Mordred, why did you refer to him in a darkened manner?”

Celestia sighed, “Arthur was a dear friend of ours, and it was through him that the Canterlot of old was built.  After a great war, Arthur settled upon this mountain and began to construct a city as both a present to us and a beacon of hope.  It was this that allowed me to name Arthur king of this city, until such time the construction was complete and we could ascend the throne.”

Luna nodded, “You might think this an ill option, but it was true in nature.  Arthur wished nothing more than to serve his land and live happily.  When named king, he took the title with great reluctance, but he ruled none the less.  Then…tragedy struck.”

Celestia nodded, “Two weeks after my sister became Nightmare Moon and was banished,” a forlorn look appeared on the solar monarch’s face, “Mordred…turned against Arthur and cut him down.  The knights fought back and I exiled the traitor, but the damage had been done.”

“Ban,” Luna continued sadly, “took the throne.  To think such a tragedy befell in my absence....”

“These knights,” Baen stated, “You had a great connection to them didn’t you?”

Celestia nodded, “Yes….some more than others.”

Luna looked to the side in shame, “I chose Mordred to be put with the knights.  I trusted him…”

Celestia nuzzled her sister, “As you can tell, this memory is not one we wish to discuss.  But we must because within that book,” she stared at Baen, “Is all the information on the swords in their entirety that we and Starswirl collectively discovered, including their locations.”

“Locations?  You mean they are not here?”

Celestia shook her head, “No, during the final days of the Knights, when they sought to retire and seek out a life of peace,” Celestia smiled as if in a dream, “Lancelot took it upon himself to take the swords and hide them.  To ensure that they could never be used for dark purposes, though he insisted that he guard Arondight closely, he did write to me on occasion,” she blushed lightly when she noticed them staring, “B…but eventually the letters stopped.”

Baen nodded, “And you suspect whoever stole this journal will pursue the swords?”

Luna nodded, “Yes, most assuredly.  But as to whom, we cannot discern their identity.”

Celestia nodded, “Which is why we called you here today,” she gestured to the doors, “could you perhaps discover the culprit?”

Baen nodded, “I’ll try,” he stood and approached the doors and placed his hooves upon the doors, “I’m a tad rusty.”

He shut his eyes in deep concentration as his aura flared to life and seemed to lick at the stone’s surface.  Celestia and Luna watched on fascination as his aura not only went into every crease, but seemed to also extract small particles of light from the cracks.  Baen’s then flinched, and the fringes of his aura changed.  The red gradually turned to a sinister green before he disengaged the aura.  He backed away from the door like it had means to harm him.

“No…it wasn’t a nightmare,” Baen stared wide eyed at the door, “This IS the nightmare….”

Baen snapped his head around and looked at the armor, “The pony that armor belonged to, was it a mare or a stallion?”

Luna blinked, “A stallion…he killed one of my sisters day guard and fled the castle.  Why?”

Baen shook his head, “Of course it was a stallion….”

Celestia became worried, “Baen, what do you know?”

Baen looked at them with a serious expression, “I know who has your book, and this pony is….a great threat.”

Celestia and Luna leaned forward.

Baen sighed, “Her name is Vida,” he shook his head and turned from them, “She hails from my age.  I’m not sure how she’s here or why, but know this,” he stared at them, “She is a powerful sorceress well versed in dark magic, if anything, if she could break the enchantments you two placed on those doors then I fear for everypony in this age.”

Celestia nodded, “What has she done with Luna’s guard?”

“More than likely she’s enchanted him,” Baen narrowed his eyes, “Vida’s trademark is to bewitch and enchant stallions to do her bidding,” he placed his forehoof to his head; “She breaks their minds and makes herself the vocal point of their desires.  The stallions are still themselves however, they just wish to follow her and want nothing more than to make her happy.”

Luna grit her teeth, “How dare she taint one of our guards!”

Celestia thought hard on this, “Baen.  Come with us, my sister and I….we need to think on this matter to decide on our next move.  You may stay here in Canterlot while we debate,” she gave a half smile, “just try not to break anything.”

Baen smirked as the three ponies ventured from the library.

*

Far off from Canterlot, in a mountain range, Vida stood with her small group of shaved Diamond dogs who were steadily growing their fur back.  Standing at her side was Mulberry.  The group gazed down into a vast canyon, on the other side of the vast gap was a large clearing.

“My lady,” Mulberry asked while turning to a severely focused Vida, “Why are we here?”

Vida smiled, “My dear Mulberry, we’re here for my castle.”

Before Mulberry could ask, Vida shot a massive bolt into the sky.   The bolt increased in size and volume as it ascended, then it arched down and exploded into the ground with a large thunder crack.  Nothing happened at first, but then the ground started to shake.  The dogs and pony started trembling, but Vida stood firm and smiled in satisfaction as a massive crack split the clearing in two.  Vida watched on as the crack exploded.  The very earth heaved and frothed as spires of stone started rising toward the heavens.  The onlookers watched on in awe as the castle took shape.  A mass of spires of dark stone with horn like additions, massive ominous windows, the shadow it cast reached to the group when the whole valley was filled with the castle.  The castle effectively sitting on a massive stone platform, Vida smiled wider.

“Just as I left you,” she mused.

In an instant, a massive stone bridge extended across the canyon from the mountain itself and bridged the gap to Vida’s fortress.

“Come along my lovelies,” she kindly said, “we have some cleaning to do.”