Voices in the Background

Chapters

Heartland
Barrier Lands
Old Kingdom

Heartland

Voices in the Background

Heartland

Dear Bon Bon,

How have you been? I'm so sorry that I'm only writing to you now. There's so much stuff going on with the training and all the weird stuff we've been hearing, that I haven't gotten the time to really sit down and write. Mage Captain Grit Sting told me that the Royal Guard still manages all the jails in the Heartland. I hope that they've been treating you well. The Royal Guard isn't so bad. Remember that pair we met during Princess Celestia's Ponyville visit?

I've been doing okay, I guess. Maybe it's because I was imagining how horrible it would be so it was easy to be surprised. The legionnaires are pretty strict. They yell a lot, and they're always frowning when we're doing drills and stuff. When we're taking a break, though, most of them are okay. Mage Captain Grit Sting's actually nice. He made sure we were getting our food, and got angry with the cook who was trying to skimp on the soup. He also asks us about stuff here in the Heartland.

The training isn't so bad either. We work in teams called evocation arrays. It's great that I still get to work with unicorns from Ponyville. So far, it's just weird mental exercises. The Mage Captain says we need to get good enough at linking our magic before we actually test fire, otherwise we'd blow ourselves up. I'm still a bit worried about that part, but I think they won't even let us try unless they're absolutely sure. They'd probably send us home first if we're not good enough.

I still really miss you and the rest of Ponyville, Bon Bon. It's just us unicorns in this part of the training grounds. When we get our breaks, I can climb up one of the sentry towers and still see Ponyville at a distance. When we get transferred west, it's going to be a lot lonelier. I'm going to ask the Mage Captain if I can visit you first. I hope he lets me.

Sincerely,
Lyra

_______________________________

Dear "Lyra"

I don't know which one is true. Maybe you're some legionnaire ordered to pretend to be Lyra to try and talk to me about working with the Legion after all. In that case, it's not going to work. I don't want to have anything to do with your army. I just want to be left alone. If the only way to do that is staying in jail, I'm happy to get used to prison food. So save the ink and paper, do something else like fight these monsters you're always going on about. If you have so much time to spend trying to get a weak earth pony like me to do your fighting for you, maybe you should get some more training, or whatever it is that you legionnaires do.

If you really are Lyra Heartstrings, the same Lyra who always bought a bag of my sweets at the exact same hour of the exact same day since she moved into Ponyville, then...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for what they've done to you, Lyra. Maybe it's some horrible magic that they have lying around for their forced recruits. Maybe it's some potion or pill. I don't want to know. I'm sorry, but I'm glad more than ever that I resisted. I don't want to be some kind of doll under their control, writing what they want you to write, saying what they want you to say. I can't imagine myself like that. I don't want to.

If it's really you, Lyra, then please just leave me alone. It hurts to read about you enjoying your new training. It hurts to think that you might start boasting to me about all the fighting you've been doing. I don't want any more letters, Lyra. If you're starting to like the Legion, I'm happy for you. I really am. But don't visit me with your big smile, or your new uniform. Don't tell me any more stories about your new job. I'll be happy here, just remembering the old you.

Sincerely,
Bon Bon

Medical Officer Nine Stitch,

What in Arugek's gullet is taking your damn medics so long? Three of my legionnaires have already sprouted "cutie marks". My sergeants can't train these foals if they're reciting soliloquy's, singing opera, and painting abstracts! Stop dawdling, and get some of your medics here. I need this prince-damned chosen disease purged from my camp or training will get delayed. Come six months, if the prince asks why his reinforcements aren't ready, I'm throwing you under his hooves.

Flight Captain Low Boom, Western Legion

___________________

Flight Captain Low Boom,

If you've just woken from a recent coma, let me inform you of recent events. We just got invaded by abyssal machines that crawled out of the decaying ruins of our maniacal ancestors. A huge portion of the Legion got sent there to deal with them and we're swamped with casualties and injured. Most of my magi have been sent there to help with worse things than your budding art troupe. The few I have here are taxed to their limits stemming Hide-rot, the Trots, and Shriek Song.

I am, however, following a promising lead involving an outbreak of chosen disease in Ponyville. It didn't take Luna-trained unicorn magi to clear that up, so there might be a way to help you without magic. At least not the conventional type. Until it pays off, you should start praying that one of your sergeants sprouts a medical cutie mark and patches himself and his friends up.

Medical Officer Nine Stitch, Western Legion

_____________________

Field Report from Ponyville

Medical Officer Nine Stitch,

We've located the zebra healer, Zecora, in the Everfree Forest, and she's confirmed that she can produce a cure for chosen disease. However, she can't promise that they would work for Barrier Lands ponies as they do for chosen. Without any cases here in Ponyville, we can't do any tests. We're sending over both fully grown samples and the seeds. According to Zecora, they're grown and induced to blooming by speaking "honest statements" at a maximum of five feet from the seed. They do not require any unicorn magic, and Zecora confirms that earth ponies can grow them easily enough.

We'll be sending a report to the Southern Legion as well regarding the zebra presence in the Heartland. Zecora has not been forthcoming about her place of origin, but we suspect that she has wandered far from her tribe. Running into them with the wrong zebra legionnaires might spark another inter-tribe war. We'd appreciate a heads-up if you find additional leads regarding zebras.

Reporting,
Ranger High Grass, Southern Legion

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Nine Stitch,

Good job with these chosen disease cures. I've had it with these panicked legionnaires spewing random languages getting under-hoof in the hospital. We can at least spare the healing spells for the more serious concerns.

As for the little "honest statement" issue your shifty medics have some trouble with, I'm shocked that you didn't go for the obvious. "This is a stupid way to grow anything" works well enough for me and my staff.

Redbrand, Northern Legion

Captain Hard Hew,

Let me make the Legion's position perfectly clear for both you and the True Earth Ponies. The restrictions still stand. The number of true earth ponies allowed into the Heartland remains the same. No pilgrimages to Mount Unicornia shall be allowed. It doesn't matter how much they posture in your outpost. It doesn't matter how many of their elders remonstrate and lecture about how important these slave mines their founder came out of are. I don't care if Rock Maven arose from Mount Unicornia's mines or if he had his first rut there. Give them their final warning. If they refuse to back down, throw them back to the Delve, or whatever burrow they crawled out of. At spear-point if needed.

An investigation regarding their murdered comrades has already been launched. Black Rose killed the three channelers they sent to Canterlot along with their armed escort, and Black Rose is dead. There is no further need to make an inquiry about this matter. If they want proof of her death, they can petition the prince. Which would be suicide at this point in time. Do not bother me or anypony else about this detail again, Captain, or you'll find yourself mucking about in a Delve prison with the rest of these true earth pony foals.

Legion Commander Stonewall

Quartermaster High Trade,

I have just been informed that you allowed a shipment of Luna's Piss to be carted into the Heartland, specifically for the Cloudsdale training grounds.

You do realize that Princess Luna is actually here, correct? As in she's alive, and managing a great deal of Equestria's affairs with her siblings. I seriously doubt her highness will take it well that there is such a ridiculously named drink making its way to the Heartland. We have enough problems with Princess Celestia's disapproval of the alcohol influx. Turning another one of the royalty against drinking is a sure way to paint a bulls-eye on your flank for every thirsty legionnaire in the Heartland.

Before you suggest it, no, I don't think explaining to her why the Moonlight Rondo opted to give their bad recipe that name and why it's still being brewed would help, so don't bother. And, no, don't mention that the prince thought it was hilarious at the time and allowed it, unless you're a fan of being chucked into a volcano. If you are, make sure to mention how I was completely against it, because I'm not.

For our sakes, High Trade, I hope you've already sent some ponies to recall that shipment. If not, then put down this damn letter and get on it.

Captain Cloudslide, Western Legion

Memo from Pegasus Guard Captain Bright Shield

I'm pleased to report that the correct anti-venom arrived in time. Ride Tall and High Seat are both stable, but the doctors estimate that it will take a week before the swelling goes down enough for them to resume their duties. Let this incident be a dire and last warning to the rest of you on dungeon guard duty. The ophidite prisoner is dangerous, and is not there for our amusement. Refrain from gawking at it, talking to it, and, for the love of our dear princesses, refrain from poking it with your hooves to check if snakes sleep with their eyes open.

Dear Captain Nightcanter,

I am a little flattered and greatly disturbed by your proposition. I am thankful, however, that you chose to be honest and direct about it. Both Shining Armor and I will have to refuse. We are both happy and content in each other's company and have no desire to include others for those affairs you refer to as "tapping the midnight still". Enclosed with this letter should be the...objects you included in your letter. I understand that you said I may keep them, but, in all honesty, I wouldn't be caught dead with those things on my person.

Sincerely,
Princess Cadance of Equestria

Dear Diary,

I had that wonderful dream again last night: cool ocean foam lapping at my hooves, warm salty air, the gentle rhythm of waves. This time was different, instead of just wading a bit in the water before waking up, I actually went all the way in. Oh, diary, it was such a wonderful feeling. Being cradled by the water felt so much better than any hug. I plunged deeper and deep until the hot sun couldn't reach me anymore. There's something so incredibly comforting in that dark, I wish I could dream that dream each night. Or, better, yet, I want to get to the real ocean.

Mom and dad don't get it. I tried telling them about my dreams and they just stared at me like I was an idiot. I asked them to go east with me. I don't know why, but I'm so sure that I'll find this ocean to the east. I have to go there. Dad just laughed though. To my face. His daughter's telling him about her dreams and he just laughs. "They're just dream, sweetie," he says. He's so smug, I hate him. Mom's just as bad. They keep making me do chores, but they don't pay me, even though the laundry lady gets paid when she does chores. They're going to shut me up in this sad, cold, dry house for the rest of my life. I just know it.

Spear Stroke understands. It's so weird that it's one of the scary legion-types who gets me. He says that he also has dreams of the ocean. We spent hours talking yesterday. Too bad dad's scared of the Legion. He told me to get back in the house like I was some kind of property. The nerve! Well, things are going to be different this time. I'm going to talk to Spear Stroke again. This time, I'll bring up going east.

_____________________

Dear Diary,

Spear Stroke said yes! He says he's also tired of being pushed around by the Legion. He wants to get away from all this trouble. We both think that we'll do just that if we just get east. But mom and dad won't agree. They'll never agree! Oh, but that's going to change pretty soon. Diary, it's going to be a grand adventure, and it's going to start tonight!

___________________

Captain Fen Grove's notes

Coroner's report just got back. Stallion drowned in the tub like we all thought. Bruises on his torso and head meant he put up some fight though. The mare was worse off. Died from some swelling in her brain. Her gut had enough water to drown somepony else when they opened her up. Some nutcase made her drink until her stomach stretched out like a damn balloon. Don't know how this makes your brain swell, but I'll leave the explanations to Clean Cut.

No signs of anypony breaking in. Not even any traces of magic in case of teleportation. Somepony let this killer in. This also had to take a while, surprised nopony raised the alarm. The daughter's missing. Neighbors say she was a bit of a spoiled brat and the past few nights involved a lot of yelling in the household.

Prime suspect is one of ours: Legionnaire Spear Stroke. Good kid, but he's been out of sorts lately, constantly talking about dreams and oceans. He was last seen chatting up the missing daughter. If it's a kidnapping, he hasn't bothered with a ransom note. Local crime's supposed to go to the Royal Guard, but we're going to get involved with this one. It's going to be bad for reunification if we don't smooth this out right.

Your Highness, Princess Luna,

As per your request, the Great Delve Library has sent copies of its lore regarding the organizations dedicated to you. In addition, I also tracked down some of the more obscure books. While the Moonlight Rondo and the Night Parade were glad to talk of themselves and publish books about their activities prior to their disbanding, the Blackmoon Blades were notoriously secretive. This letter should be accompanied by the following tomes:

The Way of the Moonlight Rondo - this was first version of the official book by the Moonlight Rondo, published by the founder, Moon Singer. It was during the time prior to the division so your highness might still remember it. I included it in case you would like a refresher, or for simple posterity in your collection.
The Night is for Passion - this replaced the Way of the Moonlight Rondo as the official codex for the group a few decades after the division. Penned by Gibbous Eye, comparison with the first should reveal how the Rondo coped with your absence.
For or Against the Lunatics- a treatise discussing the reasons why the Moonlight Rondo should have been spared as a group or rightly destroyed by the Legion. This was written a year after the Moaning Top incident (which it describes in rather lurid detail). Included are the sanctions that imposed on the Legion as well as some of the public reactions to both the incident and the punishment.
Night Parade Rules and Routes - the official guidebook penned by the Night Parade's team of writers. This was the same book used throughout both your time and after the division.
Parade Incident Compilation - a collection of the various misadventures the Night Parade encountered during their yearly circuits. These includes Legion reports that the author has compiled.
From Starlight to Blackmoon - a detailed history on the radical shift of the Starlight Sentinels' priorities and its eventual transformation. The information is highly contested and many believe that Star Pen wrote the book at poisoned knife-point. Your highness should realize, however, that it is impossible to find any book discussing the Starlight Sentinels or the Blackmoon Blades that isn't contested. The Blackmoon Blades controlled information about themselves very strictly and many of the murders they committed involved various writers.
Knives of the Night - a collection of high profile cases where the Blackmoon Blades are tied too. Some caution must be advised while reading this. Many of these cases did not have a clear conviction. The Blackmoon Blades cultivated a legend of fear during their time, and unscrupulous ponies exploited it. Some of these may have been committed by criminals not involved with the Blades, but using recognizable methods to shift the blame to the group.
Blackmoon and Nightmare - a detailed treatise on the rise and fall of the Blades of Nightmare. Also included are notes about the decline of the Blades. I would put my faith more on this one, your highness. The Blades during this time did not have as much influence, and authors were free to write of them.
The Night Princess's Shadow - a collection of myths and legends regarding the various groups dedicated to you with research done on their authenticity.

I hope these provide you with both an interesting and informative read, your highness, the Great Delve Library stands ready to serve our reunified Equestria.

Head Librarian Shelf Line, Great Delve Library

Dear Blinkanice Nicolette Pie,

We've received your application and Mortar's recommendation. The guild is happy to accept you for apprenticeship given your skill set and in the spirit of reunification. A place has been set aside for you here in our headquarters, and we await your arrival.

Tower Crash, Great Delve Siegeworks Guild

_______________

Mom, Dad, if you're reading this, I'll be on my way to the Western Barrier Land. I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly. I know you don't want me anywhere near the Barrier Lands, and I shouldn't involve myself with the Legion, but this is an opportunity of a lifetime I can't just pass up. Please don't worry too much. I'll be studying in the Great Delve, the capital of the Barrier Lands. It's probably more defended than Canterlot! I'll try to write when I get to the Delve. I promise, I'll take care of myself.

Inkie, sorry. I know I said I'll try to talk to dad about it, but you know how stubborn he gets. If I told you guys my plans, I'd never get the chance to go. The rock farm's perfectly fine in your hooves. You don't need me mucking things up by being so restless.

Pinkie, you take care of yourself. You've got way bigger things to take care of besides your little sister going off on her own. I heard your friend, Copper Mane, talking about showing you around the Delve's Deepstone Quarter. Maybe we'll meet up at some point.

Blinkie

Barrier Lands

Voices in the Background

Barrier Lands

Commander Field Burn, I assure you that the worst has already come to pass at Glacierfall and the local guards have everything under control. I'm aware that the Legion is beset with a great many grave matters at the moment involving the Heartland. A few relatively minor incidents in a Barrier Lands city hardly merits such scrutiny from Equestria's finest.

The few "refugees" that your troops have encountered are simply easily frightened, opportunistic ponies with grossly exaggerated tales of gloom and doom, likely trying to come up with excuses because you caught them about to engage in banditry.

Glacierfall has been a productive town of Equestria for two centuries. It shall continue to do so under my guidance, despite these trying times. I guarantee that it will only take a few months before this place can accommodate even a visit from the prince.

Stalk Leaf, Mayor of Glacierfall

____________

Silk Mane,

I'm sorry, but delivery or no delivery, I"m getting out of here. Glacierfall's gone to the gutter. Red Corn and his gang have gone nuts. He's raving about sneaking into the Heartland to raid the chosen. The other gangs are happy just feuding for territory. The rest of us who want nothing to do with these riots are practically locked inside our homes for most of the day. The guards have stopped coming, and the mayor's utterly deluded. He insists on not bringing the Legion in because he knows he'll lose his job once they get involved. The idiot's either forgotten that if things get any worse and the Legion is forced to start cracking down, it's his head he'll lose, or he's decided that keeping his job's worth the insane risk.

In either case, I'm leaving. After I send this letter out, I'll be sneaking out of town with as much of our goods we can carry. I know it's a massive loss, but we'll just have to bear it. Once things have settled with the chosen, we'll make up for it, I swear. I'm not going to get killed by some thug on the street, and I'm not going to stay around for the public executions once the Legion makes its way here.

Wool Mane

Notes on Brewery Experiment #145

Tried my lightning infusion spell on a pint of that rainbow Scarlet sent over. Bad idea. One of my stills now looks like a foal's first hoof-painting. Looking through the notes he scrounged up and sent along with the keg this time. Maybe I should have done this before experimenting.

Looks like this stuff was used for brewing love poisons. Damn. You could always tell that a pony's looking to get under your tail when they start getting a little pushy with the free drinks, but a love poison? I'd expect that from ophidites, not ponies. These chosen are creepy.

Maybe I can brew something less disturbing. "Storm Brew's Stuff-That-Gets-You-In-a-Rutting-Mood", maybe? Oh, Scarlet's going to want some credit so I have to stick his name there somehow. But wouldn't that make it seem like I'm doing it with him?

Going to have to find some way to test its effects on a drinker. Maybe I should hang a sign outside.

My Dear Star Ruby,

Canterlot is simply marvelous: the architecture is lovely, the nobles are refined, the food is exquisite. I must say, Heartland culture is a delight to experience. You and your husband should come and visit as soon as you're able. Perhaps not right away, though. The Legion is still directly involved in day to day affairs. Once the reunification has settled enough for the Legion to rein in their constant meddling, we can start socializing with these charming Heartland nobles.

One thing I must mention, though. The fashion! The dresses are lovely, true enough. Their designs are gorgeous too. They have this strange fixation about not using real leather or fur, it's certainly odd. I'm certain once they see the quality of an ursan fur coat or a set of ophidite scale boots with a bag to match, they'll see the beauty of the genuine article.

I have to tell you about this incident in a Canterlot boutique. I was about to purchase some particularly exquisite ones when I noticed that they had no tail straps. I assumed that this was merely a gross oversight on the seamstress's part, but I was informed that this was the standard for all skirts. Can you believe it? This is an absolutely ridiculous aspect of Heartland fashion. I wouldn't attend casual soiree without a hundred brushes to my tail, the finest silk ribbons from the Grove of Five, bead-work from Bear's Head, and a curling session. I'm not going to waste all that work just to stuff my tail under a skirt. Not to mention that it makes a mare's rump look twice as big. Honestly! Tail-in? If the Heartland can benefit from any Barrier Land tradition at all, it has to be this.

I understand that some Heartland nobles are visiting the Delve. Do write to me about how they take to Barrier Land culture, it will be a great talking point at parties.

As always,
Emerald Heart

The infiltration of the Heartland by the ophidite, Hashymissa, is an utter embarrassment to the Southern Legion. Forever shall we be known as the legion that first allowed an invader into the Heartland. They caught our sentries napping and our scouts bumbling about during the greatest crisis Equestria has ever faced. For our failure, one of our nation's greatest treasures was nearly snuffed out. We've allowed ourselves to become lax because the ophidites have had to deal with their own internal matters. We allowed the danger to the north to overshadow the constant threat of the Empire.

There shall be no redeeming the Southern Legion for this disgrace, but there shall be no lack of trying on our part. Even now, these brazen wretches to our south are making little advances as if we haven't noticed. But we have, and it's time we reminded our brothers and sisters in the other legions, as well as our enemies, what the Southern Legion is capable of. We slaughtered a trio of their precious coatls for the slaying of Apple Slice, we burned down two of their settlements for the loss of Deadmarsh Fortress. Have no doubt that the ophidites will remember yet again that we repay every slight.

Patrols shall be doubled along our borders. Not one snake gets to glare at Equestria's direction without us noticing. Track down the ophidite noble that this Hashymissa is undoubtedly working for. Trace their movements to the smallest detail. We bide our time as we reunite with our chosen brethren, but, when we strike, these ophidites will be wishing that they were being chewed on by crocodilians.

Commander Moon Haze, Southern Legion

Hassyth,

Well, cousin, you've gotten yourself into another fine mess, haven't you? Ervain Reis not yet the bottom for you, I see. You still need to dig yourself deeper. Your little clandestine mission may have been personal, but it's certainly caused a lot of ripples. The Equestrian Legion is sizing us up, and it's clearly planning retaliations. Truly we're at a fine time for that given our own little internal problems. And what have you achieved? Your best servant has been captured, you've lost your best slaves, and you are no closer to recovering your fortune.

The other nobles are also not very happy with you, cousin. Ensyth's slave caravans ran into a fatal ambush thanks to the massive increase to Legion security. He's out for blood, and I can't guarantee that he's not interested in yours. Formysath's harvesters are trapped in their camps with their goods rotting in their baskets because the Legion won't let up. She's gone a step further by calling for your arrest and execution.

I've reached the point where it's now costing too much to protect you. But, out of respect for my dear uncle, I will give you one last boon. Take it, and I shall be done with you for good. I have a small, secret manor far to the northwest. It was a converted laboratory I believe, from a time when Equestria held that land. A fitting enough place for one who likes to test his limits. Doubly fitting as it has seen far better days.

This will take you outside the Empire, and along the borders of Ursinium and Equestria. A good spot for you as you've worn your welcome in any of these nations. Stay there until all the ire you stirred up has cooled. I shall ensure that you are fed...adequately, and have enough guards and servants to befit the lowliest coatl, which you have certainly become. Do not provoke the Western Legion, cousin. Make things any worse, and I shall cut my losses personally. I assure you, I cut very deep.

Your loving, very concerned cousin,
Mylshisath

Dear Alpine Air,

We regret to inform you that your uncle, High Scholar Crow Quill, while traveling back from the Northern Barrier Land, suffered from a fatal heart failure. The Order of Speech mourns the loss of a beloved scholar and dear friend. We wish to extend our deepest sympathy for your loss. His personal effects shall be given to you. It's not much, but we would like you to know that we here at the order are willing to help you during this dark period. His remains are still here in the Order's main headquarters, to be taken care of as you see fit.

Respectfully,
High Scholar Ink Blot, Order of Speech

__________

High Scholar Ink Blot,

The letter could not be delivered. As it turned out, Legionnaire Alpine Air had been killed in action nearly four years ago. We tried to search for another relative, but could not find any. The letter, therefore, has to be returned.

Quick Tail, Barrier Lands Courier Service

Captain Whirlwind,

Turn these ponies away. Fangbreaker Fortress is busy enough without civilians showing up to get under-hoof. It's regrettable if some of them did indeed come from the Western Barrier Land, but we have neither the room nor the time to entertain these constant visitors. Let them spend a few hours here to rest then send them back to Bastion City before wherever they started from. Remind them that the grave of Pyre Valor and Blademane is not some shrine to make pilgrimages to. Hopefully they'll spread the word on their way home. Have messengers fly out to the nearest cities to hammer the message in.

Commander Dreadstep

Old Kingdom

Voices in the Background

Old Kingdom

Overseer Gold Maw,

Here's the list of our next finds.

Twelve stallions and five mares all fit for hard labor.

Six mares and five foals for lighter loads and kitchen work.

Six elderly. Too stringy for the pegasi. Might still be useful for sacrifices.

Three good-looking ponies (two stallions and a mare), for some of the unicorn nobles.

We also have a particularly fat foal that the Graywing Elite would pay premium for.

Sell them quick while they're worth bits. Clan Basalt's making Smart Cookie and Puddinghead angry. We can expect another massive wave of slaves before the year ends. That's going to drive prices down.

Slavemaker Saltpick

Incidents regarding the Coldsteel Construct for this month

Large portion of the shoulder plating came loose and fell on some workers. Three dead, two more alive but useless. Damages will take a week to repair.
Worker fell to his death while working on the head plating.
Vat of Dead Air Gas exploded. Five ponies dead.
Brawl among the workers. One pony died before the overseers could break it up.
Break failure in the rail cars for delivering the Dead Magic Crystals. Two ponies dead after the crash.

If I may be so bold to suggest such a thing, applying better safety measures would greatly lessen the number of casualties. The break-neck speed that the Chancellor insists on, as well as the cheaply done provisions for the workers are also adding to increasing number of deaths.

I understand fully that our clan lords wish for the tributary project to be completed in time for the great fete, but as I look at all these deaths, I must ask: would the Deep Father truly approve of a tribute that was built so hastily and at the waste of so many of his children? Do we not owe the Deep Father the best we can create in the best way we can create it?

Overseer Red Rust

_________

Red Rust,

Clan Basalt's best should have arrived along with this message. That's thirty strong stallions and mares fit for labor, more than double of what you lost. Make good use of them. The rest will come later.

I've done you a favor by not passing on your report to Puddinghead or Smart Cookie. If our clan lords wanted your advice, they'd have you higher up the ladder. Do not be so presumptuous again, or the tributary project is going to get one more impudent slave to work on it, and that's if they leave your punishment to me. You do not want Smart Cookie's instruments "improving" you, and I hear Puddinghead has taken an interest in some of the Graywing Elite's recipes.

I expect better, humbler news by the next month.

High Overseer Stone Whip

Kettle Stew,

We have a problem. As it turns out, Chancellor Puddinghead is attending Platinum's banquet. We need to procure additional supplies in time to serve her. If Platinum ends up being embarrassed as a host, it's a quick trip to the sacrificial pools for us. I need the following in short order.

Four bushels of flour
Four bushels of sugar
A barrel of honey
A barrel of milk
Two baskets of apples
Two baskets of pears
A sack of raisins
Two barrels of red wine
One earth pony foal, preferably less than two years old, fatty, not lean

It's a difficult task without a doubt, but procure it as if our lives depend on it, because they do.

Head Chef Onion Tear

Overseer Scourge Hoof,

You have a worker in your mine: big, strong earth pony stallion, dark gray fur, curly mane of bronze, green eyes like verdigris, physique like chiseled stone. His name is Rock Maven. Have him shackled, cleaned up, and treated with scented oils. All overseers should know my favorite ones. After that, have him sent to the palace.

Platinum

____________

Platinum,

I intercepted your little message to your mine workers. My brother is many things: stupid, unenlightened, stubborn, arrogant, and inefficient. But he is not your toy, even if he works in your mine. He stays with the rocks of Unicornia until his oh-so-vaunted strength fails him. As for you, if you are unable to control your pathetic, organic needs, I have several rock drills to clean out that sewer under your tail.

Smart Cookie

Bell Strike, Great Shield of the Kingdom

Blade Gleam, the King's Mirror

Fume Rage, Wrath of the Throne

My dear, loyal retainers, it is time I lay down my last wishes for you. My health has declined sharply during these past few days, and I wish to write this down while I still have the strength and clarity of mind. Should this letter be opened, then I have finally died. I doubt that any great stretch of time would pass between the writing of these instructions and my demise.

The throne shall go to Platinum, such is the Unicorn Kingdom's tradition. The fate of the kingdom, however, I shall entrust to more than just her.

My daughter is young, but youth is the least of her faults as a monarch. Youth naturally gives way as I am all too aware. However, she is also impetuous, vain, and spoiled. She has had no mother to guide her, and her father has done a very poor job. Where my efforts have failed, yours must succeed. Guide Platinum, especially during the early years of her reign. Bell Strike, my soldiers have always heeded your word, and trusted your judgment, show her how to manage the might of the Unicorn Kingdom. Blade Gleam, nopony has your knowledge of our traditions and heritage, help her honor them while she forges her own path. Fume Rage, young as you are, she listens to you the most. Be the voice for the others so they might reach her.

May the Kingdom prosper long after my departure.

Sky Storm

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Bell Strike, I cannot condone this anymore. Platinum has made a twisted mockery of the Arcane Knight Trials. When I used to test the mettle of aspirants, I now butcher sacrifices. She sends me fillies and colts barely able to lift their blades, barely a spell in their heads. They're fanatical, over-confident, and utterly unprepared. I try to spare them, but they charge on blindly and insist on fighting to the death. There is no honor in this. No glory. Not even utility. Each time Platinum invokes this befouled test, all I do is cut another unicorn's life short; a unicorn that could have been more useful as anything other than fodder for Platinum's amusement.

Forgive me for this seeming weakness. I know Sky Storm asked us to guide his daughter, but Platinum is beyond guidance. Fume Rage has lost his way. Instead of counselling her, he is content with her gifts and the nights he spends in her bedchambers. She only hears Clover's goading and the Deep Father's dark call. Painful as it may be to fail our king's final charge, I must cut ties with her, for the sake of what's left of my soul.

Join me, Bell Strike. Even from a distance, I see how the state of this realm pains you. You'll invoke duty, as I know you always do, but that which we have a duty to no longer exists. "The King's Mirror" they call me, but our last true monarch has long since died, and his petulant daughter does not even qualify to be his shadow. "Great Shield of the Kingdom" they call you, but the Unicorn Kingdom is no more. This "Everlasting Kingdom" that Clover tries so desperately to peddle is not deserving of a shield such as you. Let us depart from this wretched place. We cannot restore it from within as we have tried so hard so far. Let us fight to restore it from without. I shall await your reply. If you remain silent for two nights, I shall go on ahead.

Blade Gleam

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Let it be known that Blade Gleam and Bell Strike, former royal retainers, are hereby branded traitors to our Everlasting Kingdom. These miscreants dared to turn their back on the sacred duty given to them by my departed father in pursuit of their selfish and worthless goals. They are bygone heroes of an unenlightened age now reduced to wandering the wilderness like common brigands.

We shall show no mercy for those who abandon the path of our Deep Father. These rebels shall be hunted down and slain. Any who harbor them shall meet with the same fate. Their great monuments in our old capital shall be torn down, their names shall be stricken from the list of our honored, and their deeds shall be forgotten. Let their wretched demise be a warning for all. The Everlasting Kingdom shall suffer no betrayers, no matter what their station and past greatness.

Platinum of the Six Companions

Lord General Fume Rage,

We cannot hold the Regal Spires any longer. Rock Maven's rebel clans batter our gates daily. It takes our strongest sustained enchantments to keep his unnatural magic from tearing them down. Bell Strike's forces have cut off our escape routes while Cross Guard's pegasi plunder our supplies. Lexarius itself has finished off the last of Dead Feather's troops, and is heading this way. We are in dire need of reinforcements to give us enough space to withdraw. Without any, not only will the Regal Spires fall, so will six hundred of the Deep Father's faithful soldiers.

Commander Cold Grasp

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Cold Grasp,

There will be no thoughts of withdrawal, you cowardly scum. For a soldier of our Everlasting Kingdom to even think of going back home when he approaches battle is a shameful act. Hold the Regal Spires to the last pony and to the last breath. If even a single one of your defenders makes it out because of cowardice, that pony shall die in a manner so gruesome that he will wish for the mercy of an enemy blade to his throat.

Make no mistake, we have troops on the way, not to save cowards who can barely hold the line, but to punish the upstart Lexarius and his worthless lies. We are on the path of greatness, and he will not steer us away from it. Speak no more of retreats, Cold Grasp, and you may yet witness our final victory.

Lord General Fume Rage