Defiance

Lawkeeper North, keeping to his name sake, stared over the northern wall at the magical field that the unicorns generated daily. His hand glanced, briefly, on his pistol before he gripped the railing infront of him. It had been nearly two years since he'd arrived in this technicolour wonderland and every single day reminded him that he was no more welcome here than the creatures that had followed after him.

A quiet cough caused him to recoil, pulling his sidearm and pointing it at the offending noise. Mayor Mare, the grey haired lady, recoiled before he reholstered his weapon. Reluctantly she drew up beside him as he turned to look out over the badlands and the glowing shield of magical power before them.

"Night shift?" She eventually muttered.

"Can I help you, Mayor?" He replied coldly.

"Mooarlin and Sharp Horn are making another issue at the council, they want me to lower taxes and give the Celestial guards more access to our copper mines."

"You want me to intervene?" His hand instinctively went to his belt before a hoof blocked it from his weapon.

"No, Nolan." It wasn't the first time he'd done wet work for her, but she'd started not requesting it as often. "I mean I don't know what the guards want with our mines. I know Sharp Horn is pushing Mooarlin in this case, but what I need to know is why that cow is behind his agenda." She stared out at the shield as he sighed.

"Riftfall tomorrow." He stated calmly. "Gunna be pretty big, I figure."

"So you'll do it?" She looked at him as he looked away, her hoof leaving his hand as it fell away from his firearm.

"I'll go digging, I may need to pull in some of your contacts at the F&F brothers place."

The mare scuffed the floor before sighing.

"Just don't rough them up, you know how they're just dying to turn a quick profit and run away." Nolan grimaced.

"They've been here a year with their.... 'business', I don't think they're going anywhere."

"Nolan, just because we're not the same species doesn't change the fact that some ponies need alittle private time with others." Nolan glanced at her before looking at the barrier.

"I wouldn't mind that, but those stallions just radiate an aura of filth."

"Nolan..." the mayor started, only to see him raise his hand for quiet.

"Sharp Horn practically works for the Celestial guard. Mooarlin just wants to keep the peace. It's only you, Steel Will and Vémundr that actually have this towns interests in heart. F&F just do Horn's dirty work." He spat over the wall. "Filthy zagrǝ zwǝgyanagne scum."

"The guard protect us, Nolan, they keep us safe...."

"Tell that to the broken fillies that those twins keep shunting me when they're done with them." She sighed.

"I'm sorry you think that way."

"Favi Mayor furije rutsayo" He muttered as she turned away.

"What was that?" She answered.

"Nothing" He replied.