The Fall of Morninglight

(To be transposed into volume XXII upon my return to Roanoak)

I am writing this from my stateroom onboard the Invictus, which is currently holding station in international waters just outside Avarin at about three hundred meters above the ocean.

I took my personal launch into Darktide this evening, tying up at the docks in the castle district… I figure the area right around Ruina’s throne is probably safe enough for me to go without escort, as the bulk of the city constabulary are based there, as well as the significant military presence around the castle itself… One would have to be very certain of their plan and have it involve dozens to attempt anything there.

My first order of business was to check in with the local police – the Enforcers as they are called in Avarin. Visiting dignitaries, especially ones such as myself, are expected to follow certain decorum, and part of that is announcing one’s arrival in another sovereign territory.

Technically I should have told them I was coming weeks ago – but I honestly did not know I would be in Darktide until yesterday.

They shall manage with the short notice I think.

The city of Darktide, the capital of Ruina's realm - the kingdom of Avarin

The architecture in Darktide is so dramatic – dark chiseled granite, pointed spires of marble, and severe arched windows of leaded glass abound. It is quite marvelous in its austerity and commanding presence, and the city around the castle district has a distinct no-nonsense feel imparted by the foreboding stonework.

The walk from the docks to the Enforcer’s headquarters, a place known as the Citadel, was pleasant enough – though Darktide illustrates just how rural Roanoak is... There is a great amount of business transaction in the capital, and all manner of races were about in the streets bartering for many things I could not recognize. The coins of a dozen cultures exchanged freely between hoof and paw and talon, the methods of dress were as varied as the cultures represented.

All in all I am afraid I was as wide-eyed as a foal as I traveled the main thoroughfare through the Old City, known as the Gold Road – which makes perfect sense now that I have seen it.

Oddly, I was not paid much attention – which I suppose is a blessing of sorts. I am quite used to my height attracting so much attention, but in Darktide I was pretty average; the northern isles ponies are all quite large, the minotaur are all immense, and the bigger diamond dogs literally tower over me.

In many ways it was as if I’d gone back a thousand years and was once again in a strange city I’d never seen full of wonders beyond imagining, disguised as a simple Unicorn mare as to not cause a commotion.

It was … nice.

Eventually though I had made it through the throngs of the Gold Road and across the canal bridge into the seat of the government. And from there it was a quick trot past the prison to the Citadel.

Upon arrival I was shocked at just how large the building is, and once though the doors at just many ponies and others were involved in maintaining the peace in Darktide. It is an immense enterprise – apparently the peacekeeping force in Avarin is fully state-run, while in Roanoak we have a more localized system of town/city constabulary overseen by Crown forces at a more disconnected level.

Avarin’s method certainly has its advantages – information and problems kingdom-wide are available to every peacekeeper everywhere, while in Roanoak the Imperial guard does not normally know about a problem until it reaches a point where the locals cannot handle it. But autonomy has its advantages as well; where local people with a better understanding of the ground-level situation resolve the problem over Avarin’s one size fits all approach…

Avarin’s methodology has certainly given me food for thought though.

Enforcement policies aside, I entered the foyer of the Citadel and was promptly seen to by a grey furred mare in some sort of clerk capacity. I explained that I was visiting from Roanoak and in Darktide for personal business, and had no need for Ruina’s attention.

She nodded, explained that given my status she was not authorized to handle my entry paperwork, and then bid me to stand over near a large window while she went to locate her superior.

I would guess about ten minutes had passed before another Enforcer approached me, this one in full uniform – which includes a muzzle covering red cloth and a curious peaked helm – and asked me to follow him into a nearby office to handle some paperwork and ask me a few questions. I of course followed him, intent on making my visit as official and drama-free as physically possible.

Once in the office and behind closed doors the Enforcer removed his helmet and muzzle covering to reveal none other than Diomades Concord!

I assumed something was brewing within Canterlot to have the Legion depart, dismissed, and branded traitors - but to find Diomades in Darktide was both a shock and a relief. He mentioned that Imperious had him in Avarin on assignment some time before the Legion arrived, but he’d had no contact with them since their arrival. He then mentioned that the Enforcers had captured Stone Heart’s betrothed a few days ago, and he had been working on getting her out of Darktide, as well as finding where the Legion was hiding before the Enforcers work it out. He then asked if I had heard from the Warmaster recently… To this I could only respond that I had heard that my missives were being delivered to the headquarters in Canterlot, but I was told they are opened and inspected by agents of the Diarchy before being placed on an ever-growing pile of untended correspondence.

I mentioned to him that if he was intent on getting anyone loyal to my crown out of Avarin, that the Invictus was just off-shore, and getting them to my launch whilst I am in Darktide and to the flagship would be their best bet… I am unclear on the severity of the situation, but worst-case even Ruina would think twice about firing on the Invictus.

I was then informed about somepony named ‘Metus’ who seems to be largely involved in the complications with the Legion and Avarin. This Metus had apparently figured out who Diomades was, figured him for a valuable asset, and made him some deal with regards to this.

Given that Diomades was still undercover even though said cover was seen through, causes me to wonder at who is pulling his strings currently. If this Metus knows who he is and left him in-play, and is apparently making motions to capture Stone – he must ultimately be after Imperious. There are too many pieces involved in the game with a common point of interest to be otherwise.

Diomades then informed me about a town to the south of Darktide called ‘Southshire’, where Stones’s wife mentioned she had a small shop set up. If she is based there, Stone is based there. If Stone is based there, the Legion is based there…

I must remain either in Darktide or on board the Invictus... It would cause mischief if I were to begin gallivanting across Ruina's domain. So partly to be my hooves outside of the city, and partly to test his allegiance, I charged him with bringing Imperious, his command, and others loyal to the Crown to me aboard the Invictus.

My flagship cannot remain offshore indefinitely though, and the timetable is tight with regard to the Morninglight campaign for even a small army must take time to get themselves in step. I told Diomades that will remain offshore for three days and asked him if he thought he could manage to reach the remnants of the Legion and convince them to come with him in that amount of time…

He seemed convinced that while difficult, it would be something to attempt.

He also mentioned that Zealous was working for Ruina, and that is what was holding Stone within Avarin… I am uncertain what this bodes, as I have seen nothing of Zealous since the Legion followed Imperious to Canterlot.

At that moment the door handle behind me began to turn and I wheeled to block the opening door with myself… Even in Darktide I am still large enough to fill a doorway. A gray furred batpony mare poked her head through the opening and right into my chest, causing me to flare my wings slightly in surprise, filling even more of the doorway…

It was the clerical mare from earlier, who had apparently heard voices and was investigating. Upon seeing me she exclaimed that she was looking for me and asked how I got into this office. I interrupted her with my most officious tone to inform her that I was looking for some stationary and the good stallion in the room with me was kind enough to escort me to a desk.

The delay was long enough for Diomades to get his helmet and such back on, and I continued to berate the poor mare for the quality of service, for the delays, and even for the gloomy weather whilst Diomades wandered casually away – once again invisible by familiarity.

So now I wait and see what happens…