Author's Note

Note: the stuff pertaining to the dark tag, sex, and gore doesn't pick up until later chapters so don't be put off by the fact that there isn't any yet, it'll be here soon enough!

01 - A Message in Magic

Light brimming with morning’s sunshine fell across a chilly blue unicorn as it shone through a bedroom window. As if on cue with the light, the unicorn awoke, blinking sleepy eyes through his messy three-tone icey mane.

He yawned once, looking about as the sleepiness left his sea-blue eyes.

He pulled the thick bedsheets off of himself, a quiet, sleepy mumble coming from beside him. He paused, smiling down at the sleeping form of a unicorn mare laying beside him. Her coat was a tomato-red color, her mane crimson. A few white dimples dotted her serene, sleeping face.

Slowly and methodically, lest he shift the bed harshly and wake her, he leaned in close and planted a small kiss on her cheek.

That accomplished, he gently slid off the bed, recovering his partner in blankets before a silent set of stretching.

He turned to the window, trotting over as quietly as he could and pushing it open with his magic.

A moderate breeze blew at his face, tossing his mane about. Muffled cries of gulls met his erect ears, the salty smell of the sea greeting his sniffing nostrils.

“Morning already, Frostbite?” a tired voice asked from his back.

“Only for me, Purée, dear,” Frostbite turned around to find his wife, Purée, awake, rubbing mustard eyes filled with sleep. He approached the bed and hopped back in next to her, “You and the little one need not follow my regimen.”

The two shared a kiss and smiles, Frostbite turning bright eyes to her swollen belly.

“And speaking of our little one; how are you feeling?” he asked, giving her belly a gentle rub.

“A little sick,” Purée replied, eyes following his hoof’s soft movements, “I keep getting that craving for one of my mother’s more fancy dishes,” she giggled, eyes turning to his lovingly, “Goddess knows I can’t have any of that, though.”

“Well I find myself craving you every moment I am away,” Frostbite smiled, “so perhaps you can feel better knowing that you are not alone.”

“Oh, you!” Purée exclaimed, smiling happily as she leaned towards him.

The two met in another loving kiss. Their warm lips brushed up against each-other’s as both leaned towards the other. They parted somewhat reluctantly.

“Are you sure you can’t stay and cuddle a while longer?” she asked.

“I cannot, in good conscience, demand that the other colts show up bright and early and not do so myself, dear,” Frostbite said, with a short sigh, moving off the bed once more and trotting over to a closet at the far end of the room.

“Then let them stay in an extra ten minutes,” Purée suggested from the bed as Frostbite pulled the closet open with his magic.

A glimmering set of golden Royal Guard armor greeted Frostbite from the closet’s interior. It was the same in all regards to a normal set besides having a crest the same color as his mane instead of the standard royal blue. He proceeded to lift it towards him with his magic.

“I would love to, dear, but...” Frostbite trailed off, strapping the armor into place. There was a brief, navy blue glimmer as the armor’s magical shielding activated. His armor in place, his coat morphed to a white shade, though his eyes and mane remained as they were.

“But you’re a captain, now, dear,” Purée put in, hopping off the bed herself and making her way over to him. She rightened and tightened a few loose and off-center pieces as she spoke, “Can’t you cut back a little now that you’ve got more authority? I don’t see why the head of his own ship can’t give everyone a bit of a late start.”

Frostbite gave a sigh, “I could...But if I do not hold everyone to their highest standards then they will risk falling far below their worst standards,” he turned and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, “and that is something I cannot have. Ponies do not say I run the tightest ship of the Equestrian Navy’s fleet for nothing.”

“No, I suppose they don’t,” Purée replied with an unhappy sigh of her own. She trotted back to bed, Frostbite helping her up onto it before slipping his helmet on, the final piece of his armor. Purée smiled at him from the bed, “You always look so dashing in your armor, dear.”

“Really?” Frostbite smiled, striking an exaggerated, noble pose.

Purée gave a quick giggle at his display, “Really,” she assured him. Her features turned serious once more, “Do be careful, dear. Try not to do anything foalish.”

“I will keep you close to my heart to remind me,” Frostbite assured her with a smile. His horn lit up, a small picture of the two of them rising from one side of his chestplate before being tucked back away.

“Aww, you,” Purée cooed, leaning forwards for one last kiss. Frostbite obliged, leaning in close. Their lips met in a warm embrace once more as Frostbite lifted a hoof, caressing her mane gently before pulling away.

<~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~>

The cobblestone streets of Baltimare were busy as ever with peddlers, merchants, and shoppers alike. They all shouted, bartered, and chatted to the smells of fresh foods and exotic spices from far and wide.

By this time the cries and calls mixed with a dull crash of waves and the salty smell of the sea

“Hot potato! Hot potato! Get ‘em while they’re hot!” one vendor ranted.

“Tabriz rugs for sale! The finest from Saddle Arabia that you shall ever see!” a larger Saddle Arabian called from his stand.

“The finest jewelry you’ll ever lay eyes on! Guarenteed!” another voice cried above the noise.

“Fresh foods!? Exotic ingredients!? I have them all!” another salespony proclaimed.

He continued onwards, the cries of the many merchants fazing him no more than that of the gulls.

Onwards he went, the streets sloping downwards and the sounds and smells of the sea growing as he drew nearer its level. The crashing of waves against the shores and docks, the heavily salted smell of the sea.

Passing a final throng of buildings, the landscape opened up into the great expanse of water filling Horseshoe bay. Nearly two hundred miles across, the bay was habited by many ships of all makes and sizes.

But he had eyes for only one in particular: the Crown’s Judgement.

She was a three-masted square rigger frigate. Built like a clipper, with a sharp prow and elongated hull, she was built with speed in mind. Even from a distance he could spot that she bore no cannon, instead relying on combatative magic casters for battle. Overall it made her a much faster vessel without the weight of any guns, though did hamper her range.

And she was his.

“Captain on deck!” a cry went up as he made his way up the gangplank to the docked vessel. In an instant those on deck, sailors and Guardsponies alike, turned with military precision and saluted their captain.

“As you were!” Frostbite called out with a powerful voice, allowing the small number about on deck to go back to their duties. He approached one of the Guards posted on watch, “How fares the morning, Private?”

“Fine and quiet, sir, as always,” the Guard replied with a glance to his superior, “I saw Lieutenant Broadhead come aboard a couple minutes ago, probably went to go get some grub, Lieutenant Wind Breaker hasn’t come by yet, though.”

“Hm,” Frostbite said with a scowl, eyeing the skies above, “Good report, private, make sure you get in some grub and rest when your relief gets here.”

“Will do, s—”

“I ain’t through with you yet, you gelding bastard!” a harsh cry came from the docks below, drawing the eyes of both ponies downwards.

A helmetless pegasus Guard was on the run from an angry looking pegasus mare with what was likely the Guard’s helmet in hoof. The two zipped down the docks, the ground-bound ponies on it quickly making way for the speeding pair.

“Oi! I’m tellin ya! I said I was sorry, ya damn cow!” the Guard, quickly identified as Wind Breaker to Frostbite via an enchantment in his armor, spat back. He continued a short ways past the gangplank before coming to a halt and turning.

“You said you were gonna pull out, you shit-eating mule!” the mare screeched back, pointing at him with his helmet as she continued to hover in the air, glaring daggers at him, “That was the deal for going in without protection!”

“An I’m sorry, I made a mistake, okay? Happens to the best of us every now an again,” Breaker replied, taking a tentative step forwards, “Now can ya please gimme my helmet back?”

“You better pray that I’m far enough off my cycle, you pig, or you’ll be hearing from me soon enough! Got it!?” she yelled back.

“Okay, okay! Got it, missy, I’m sorry!” Breaker said, “The helmet now, if ya will?”

The mare, still glowing and furious paused where she hovered, glancing at the helmet. Her eyes darted to the water as if she considered tossing the helmet there, but she threw the helmet at the Guard. He gave a yelp, barely catching it before it struck him.

“You ever do that to me again, to anypony I know, and you won’t need to worry about pulling it out,” she growled, “I make myself clear?”

“Aye! Aye!” Breaker replied, slipping the helmet on and stepping up the gangplank as the mare flew off, “Fuckin nag,” he muttered, glowering after her before setting his gaze upwards, “Ain’t my faul…” He froze at the sight of Frostbite staring down at him, “Er-uh...ahoy there, Captain!” he stammered with a forced smile.

“This is the second time you have been late this week, Lieutenant,” Frostbite noted, a touch unhappy as he threw a glance the way the two pegasi had come, “And you are lucky that that is all I can bust you for.”

Breaker sighed, “Sorry, Captain. I’ll go start swabbin the decks.” He resumed his beaten trot to the ship.

“See to it that you do, Lieutenant,” Frostbite nodded sagely as his underling passed, “And do try to make an effort not to slander the name of the Navy or the Guard.”

“Will do, Captain!” Breaker replied, disappearing belowdecks to start on his punishment.

Frostbite gave an annoyed sigh as the pegasus disappeared, “If he were not so damn good at what he does…” he trailed off.

There was a sudden poof of magical light, a flash of heat bursting in front of Frostbite as a sealed letter sent by magical fire appeared before him. Frostbite frowned, taking the letter in his magic and examining the seal. He frowned.

“Admiral Tide sending a letter by magic fire? What, did that courier he loves so dearly call in sick today?” he mused, breaking the seal and reading the contents. His eyes quickly grew wide.

“Private!” Frostbite barked, turning to the Guard he’d first spoken with. The Guard jumped and turned, startled by Frostbite’s sudden change in tone.

“Y-yes, sir?” he stuttered, noting the sudden tenseness in his Captain’s form.

“Find my Lieutenants and have them make ready to sail. I will return shortly,” Frostbite ordered, charging down the gangplank and off back up the dock.

“But...post orders…” the Guard watched as Frostbite charged away before muttering a swear and galloping down belowdecks.