Crumbling Castles

Dear King,

It has come to our attention that the financial situation with the Diamond Dog Commonwealth has come to a critical point. The Diamond Dogs are asking for their debts to be paid in full or they will take it by force. I'm sure you're aware what happened to the other Skybound empires who denied the Diamond Dogs. They are a force to be reckoned with, and I fear we will not survive what they have planned for us.

We recommend adjourning a meeting to discuss this matter further and seeing to it that the situation is handled properly.

The Diamond Dogs demand an answer in three days time.

Sincerely,

The Financial Workers of the Arcane District

The stairs seemed to never end. It felt like my entire journey here was faster than climbing these stairs. God I hate stairs. Although, now that I really look back on it, I suppose it's not that bad when compared to everything I went through to get here. Oh the nostalgia is overwhelming, from the time I first received that letter to being here and walking up these steps. I was at home, a small village just south of the fringes of the Crystal Empire. Everypony knew everypony else, and we all helped each other out. At least that's how it was when I was a kid. As I grew up the village expanded, ponies became less neighborly, and before I knew it, I'd lost contact with all my old friends and family. They'd all moved away or gotten lost in all the hustle and bustle. The turning point for me was when the Crystal Empire expanded into my town, demanding that any ponies who stayed were to be crystallized. I didn't like that idea, so I decided that was my queue to leave as well.

My timing was perfect, because just as I was packing to leave, a letter came in the mail. It was addressed to me, Rex Malum, from  a king in a faraway land. I'd already lost everything, so chances were I either meet this king and acquire this great fame he's promised me, or it's all just a scam, and I setup my own home in town. Either way works for me.

I wiped some sweat from my brow, ruffling my blonde mane. Noting how finely I polished my hooves, I noticed the reflection of my deep blue eyes in them. I had even brushed my purple fur for the occasion. If I were to meet royalty, then I surely would have to look the part. However if these stairs went on for much longer, then all my effort would be ruined by my stinky body odor. I adjusted my saddlebags and kept climbing. I began to wonder why the griffons weren't allowed near the castle? Why shouldn't they come up further? Surely if the king was paying them to lift visitors up the mountainside then he'd want them right on his doorstep? I found it very odd but before I could continue the thought I had reached the last step. Finally, I was here, the kingdom of Bresux!

The castle entrance wasn't all I'd hoped it to be, as most of it was blocked by the overcrowded slums. From what I could see of the castle, it looked amazing. Gleaming towers and walls so shiny you could probably see your reflection on them! With new hope and a smile on my face I trotted forward, entering the slums. The distance was short compared to the many miles I'd walked just to be here, and I wasn't about to let any commoners stop me either. Walking past the wooden and cobblestone houses, I was barraged with beggars. I held close to my saddlebags, making sure a pickpocket couldn't reach inside. I kept proceeding forward until I reached the main plaza, where ponies had set up booths and shops of all kinds. Some sold clothes, others sold produce, and one booth sold only apples? A little odd but I paid it no mind. The center of the plaza held a giant, and I mean giant, pool of shallow water. I assume it was to be used as a reflecting pool to show off the castle, but the effect was ruined by ponies young and old splashing about and taking baths. The water looked filthy, I wouldn't have given that water to a dog to drink, let alone swim in. Conditions must have been truly awful here. However, my concern lied elsewhere. I set my eyes forward and proceeded towards the main gate.

Now that I was through the slums, I could see the gate in all it's glory! The walls reflected all of the evening sunlight, turning the entire plaza a deep golden yellow. Despite the commotion going about, it looked beautiful. I trotted forward in awe, and set my eyes on the guards at the main gate. One stood on each side, both of them unicorns, clad in complete steel plate armor and wielding spears. I noted that nopony was going in or out of the gate. Rather odd, but I paid it no mind. Trotting up to the unicorns I was greeted with a stern, "Halt!"

The one on the left approached me, "State thy business!" He commanded.

I reached in my saddlebags and pulled out the letter, asking for me to meet the king, "I seek audience with the king, he sent me this letter."

I handed the letter the unicorn, he held it using his magic and before he even opened it, tore it to shreds, "The king is not expecting anybody today, begone peasant."

I was in shock, after how far I've traveled I couldn't believe it! Maybe this was all just a sham after all, "Is this not the kingdom of Bresux?"

The unicorn was clearly losing his patience, "It is but you have no business inside the walls, just because you can clean up nicely doesn't mean you can come inside."

Now that was just rude, "I have traveled very far to meet your king! I demand entry to your castle!"

The unicorn took a combative stance and held the tip of the spear towards me, "Leave at once or I will place you under arrest!"

The other unicorn had readied his spear and slowly approached. I didn't know what to do, I panicked and froze, eyes glued open. This was the place, and the letter was my only way in. Now it was destroyed, and I was about to get arrested. Where would I go? It wasn't like I could call the griffon transport back up! I'd have to wait until she carried another pony up, it could take days! Maybe even weeks, or months! Where would I stay?

The unicorns got closer, "You are under ar-!"

Just then I heard a familiar voice call out, "Sir!"

Turning around I saw the griffon that transported me up here, flying towards me and waving her arm. In her other talon she held a small package.

She held up the package as she got closer, "You forgot your jou-"

"FIRE!"

All of a sudden a horrible sound erupted from the top of the gate, and a giant metal spear flew out from over the wall. The spear impaled the griffon, going straight through her and dragging her down right into the reflection pool. The spear hit the bottom of the shallow pool with a great THUD! and the griffon was staked to it. Ponies screamed and ran for every nook and cranny they could hide in, shops closed their doors, and stall keepers closed shop and ran into alleyways. The plaza was clear in seconds. The two unicorns behind me had vanished behind the gate and shut it with a loud SLAM! A once bustling and loud plaza, was a silent ghost town.

Slowly and silently, I approached the griffon, impaled by the spear and stuck to the ground. As I approached I noticed she was still moving. I began to run, I jumped into the dingy water and sloshed my way through, heading straight for her. I reached her, noticing that the spear was at least 4 inches in diameter, it had punched right through her stomach. Blood ran all over her and the pool was starting to turn red.

She looked me right in the eyes and handed me the package, life quickly fading from her eyes, "You forgot your journal..." she said.

I took the journal in my hoof, still unable to believe what just happened.

She gave me a smile.

Then she closed her eyes and went still.

Opening the package I was greeted with my old journal, and a note stuck to it.

The note read, "Thank you for the bits, they'll go towards my first quality meal in years."