The Kingdoms of the great continent of Equestria knew peace only after hundreds of years after a terrible war against Metamorphosis, Emperor of the Changeling. Pony, Griffon and Zebra perished under the spears of warriors and the fearsome fangs of their tamed dragons, and gods themselves had to intervene so that life are not wiped off the face of Eques.They ordered one of their immortal servants, the Crystal Magician, to raise a large army to which he would grant them magical powers. These magnificent soldier became the first Emerald Knights and they finally drove the invaders in the ocean where they came.
Over the centuries, the Equestrian populace gradually forgot these tragic events. Only magicians kept in the memory as the stars continue to speak about a persistent threat from the west. In his wisdom, King Emerald 1st, which reigned over the kingdom from the center, at the foot of the highest mountain of Equestria, decided to found a new order of chivalry whose main duty is to protect all subjects in Equestria. But not everyone would become Knight. He drew up a long list of qualities that children should have to hope to be one day called to serve under the shield of Emerald.
The aspirant could be male or female and could be from any species, provided he displays an honest and courageous temperament and ability to communicate with the invisible world. The king wanted his Knights to study under the tutelage of his old friend, the magician Elund and learn to control their environment. So they begin their Knight’s life in the classrooms of the castle that the King intended to bequeath to the Order since the fate had left him without an heir. The Future defenders of justice would study without stopping until the age of eleven, after which they become Squires and would focus more on the art of war. As they would create the new Emerald Knights, they would have to learn to fight with the king's soldiers. Then, at the age of twenty, they would become Knights and finally take a young Squire under their wing. Following the advice of his magician, the king decided that the Emerald Knight could only form one Squire at a time. They would have the obligation to keep them with him for the nine years of his apprenticeship, Unless said Squire committed a serious offense to the Order.
Satisfied, the King Emerald 1st wrote all these rules in gold letters on the walls of the courtyard of the castle so that all his subjects could see them and he sent messengers to proclaim them to the four corners of the continent.The first children arrived from all kingdoms and submitted to Elund magician selection tests. Only seven managed them and immediately began their studies at the castle. Once admitted, these children could never return to their families, unless they are fired by the magician. The Order therefore became their home and Emerald, their surname. They no longer belonged to a race or a kingdom in particular, they became the heirs and protectors of the entire continent. For cons, the king did not intend to make the knights hermits or marginal, he granted them the right to marry and have children, but only once they were dubbed and for a period in life when no Squire would be under their tutelage. It was understood that if the Order needed them, for any reason whatsoever, the Emerald Knights should leave their families and serve their cause.
Of the first seven childrens, six boys and one girl, four were of royal blood and three were from the people. They all showed exceptional skills from the cradle; Some had spoken almost at birth, others had moved objects without touching them or had predicted important event in their respective kingdom. They were not ordinary children, and fate had chosen them to become the new Emerald Knights.
The king followed their progress closely and the castle soon rang from their enthusiastic steps. No other children would be admitted before it was certain that these first students could realize his dream of protection and justice. When they had all fifteen, King Emerald 1st allowed the subjects of Equestria to send other childrens, less than ten were selected. After dubbing the first seven, a third wave of students came, but few managed the entry tests.The magician now was circulating among several classes of different levels, composed of children of all races. Some were more talented than the others and he separated them from the less talented to assign them more difficult exercises. The king had never seen Elund so enthusiastic; He met him regularly in the great hall and listened about progress of its students. Several names often returned in his praise, particularly the name of Wellan.
Born in the land of Ruby, the young griffon was the youngest son of King Burge, and had inherited from his imposing stature and muscle strength. Welland exceeded all his brothers in length. He handled the heaviest swords with ease. His courage had made him a leader among the knights of his class. None of them took decisions without consulting him. The king had many good reason to be proud of Welland and confident, he could not wait to see him at work in a situation requiring the intervention of the Order.
He did not have to wait very long, but the first act of brilliance of Wellan did not occur in a clash against an enemy of the kingdom. In fact, it took place in the same courtyard of the Castle. While they practiced the arts of war between them, the seven young Knights heard a great clamor outside the fortified walls. The young men soon discovered the source of all the fuss. Farmers accompanied a group of pilgrims dressed in loose tunics, hiding their faces under large caps, despite the scorching rays of the afternoon.
Welland stopped the workout with a dry talon gesture and the Knights turned to the crowd that entered the courtyard of the castle. Straining his ears and opening his heart to this civil tide, Wellan understood that the Emerald subjects were angry and about to attack the pilgrims. Listening only to his courage, he drew his sword and advanced towards these poor wretches, apparently unarmed. His companions followed him soon enough and they surrounded the visitors, sword draw. The farmers stopped, stunned by their initiative.
“Why do you threaten these people?” thundered Wellan, darting his blue eyes on the crowd.
“We do not want them here!” shouted a brown griffon.
“They are from the Crystal Kingdom!” yelled another spitting on the ground.
“Have they made a gesture of aggression towards you?” Wellan questioned them menacingly. No one answered. The pilgrims had stopped in the middle of the circle formed by Knights their green tunics and waited patiently. They were only ten and Welland felt no hostile intent in their heart. “All the citizen of Equestria have the right to seek audience with the King Emerald.” He continued in an authoritative voice. “Even the Crystal Ponies. Return to your activities, we will take care of the pilgrims.”
The crowd began by scolding, then whispered and finally left the walled enclosure. Wellan waited that all peasants were left before turning to foreigners.
“Thank you, Knight.” Said the voice of a woman under one of the caps. “We come from a long journey to meet the wisest king of the continent.”
“Who should I announce to His Majesty?” Sought to know Wellan on a softer, but still firm, tone.
“The Queen Fan of the Crystal Kingdom.”
The Knights all exchanged a worried look while putting their swords in their sheath but none said a word. The decision to introduce or not Crystal pony to the king depended on Wellan. The queen divined their thoughts, because even these valiant knights in the heart just could not remain indifferent to the descendants of the only king to have declared war against the Kingdom of Emerald. Draka once monarch of the Kingdom of Silver, their western neighbor, had tried to expand his territory by taking the famous castle at the foot of the Highest Mountain. He was finally defeated when every kingdoms were leagued against him, but not before having sown death and destruction on its path.
Fan was the wife of Shill, one of the son of Draka. Deeply humiliated by the actions of his father, Shill had fled to the Crystal land, the most isolated kingdom, where he found the courage to pursue his life, free from the heavy looks of blame of the other inhabitants of the continent . He had fallen in love with Fan Princess of the castles, had united his life to his and he naturally came to the throne after the death of the King of Crystal. His brother Cull, tougher and somewhat less intimidated by the people, had remained in the Silver Land where he intended to reign for the rest of his days.
“I have to talk to the King Emerald.” Queen Fan insisted. “It's very urgent.”
Wellan hesitated, though he did not felt any aggressive thoughts in the mind of the young woman and her escort. The first duty of a Knight was to protect the king.
“Are you armed?” he asked, finally.
“The Crystal land have no weapon, Knight.” she said in a infinitely soft tone.
She slowly lowered her hood, pulling a murmur of admiration out of the Knights around her. Fan's mother was from the Kingdom of the pegasis and her grandmother, the Kingdom of the unicorn. The young queen had inherited their fine features and her almost transparent skin only made her look more delightful. Thin, delicate, she was a rare beauty. Her silver eyes gleamed under the cruel sunlight but proudly maintained the look of the Knights. She wore no crown, but she was breathing nobility itself. Her skin shimmered, white and pure as the snow country, and her pink lips hinted a perfectly set of pearly teeth. No other griffon of pony was like her to Emerald, none was as dazzling and Wellan himself caught himself thinking that if she had not been the wife of the king of Crystal, he would have proposed to her on the spot .
Falcon, one of his pegasus comrades, came to whisper in his ear: “Do not be bewitched, Wellan. It's a Unicorn.”
Falcon was right. The inhabitants of the magical country could put a whole army down by the power of their horn. Wellan looked down at Fan, observing the respect due to her rank.
“If you want to follow me, my lady.”' He said with a short bow. “The sun must be difficult to support for the inhabitants of the Crystal land.”
The Knight Bergeau, a fiery young camel born in the desert tribes immediately advanced to Wellan without hiding its deep concern.
“But you do not mean it!” he protested.
“Go tell the king that he has important visitors.” Wellan threw in a tone that did not expect a reply.
Bergeau hesitated, his eyes fixing Wellan Ice eyes before bowed before Fan, grumbled and walked to the castle. Wellan watched him and offered his right paw to the Queen. He led her to the big green doors of the Castle of Emerald. The other pilgrims followed them in silence. As required by custom, Wellan made them serve drinks in the cool of the great hall. When the companions of the Queen took off their large caps Wellan saw they had a skin as white as the snow which covered the Crystal kingdom.
The Magician Elund once told Wellan that the sun almost never shone on the Crystal Land and the air was rarer than in the other parts of the continent. Rocky land almost continuously covered with snow, this inhospitable territory was located in the extreme north of Equestria, on a plateau overlooking the green land of the Pegasis. Nothing grew at the Crystal Land and no animal dared venture there, except the legendary sea dragons, which would sometimes sleep on beaches covered in ice. In the history books, it was read that the climate was once warmer, but as earthquakes and climate change have radically transformed this country. Why a beautiful pony like Fann had chosen to isolate herself in this vast Arctic wilderness?
Bergeau emerged from the large hallway and Wellan saw his look of annoyance. He bowed quickly before the visitors.
“The King is honored by your visit and asks you to join him in the throne room.” He dropped lip service without managing to hide his displeasure.
Wellan thought he would have done better to send Santo to the king instead, as his manner was more polite and would have been more appropriate in such circumstances. But the queen did not seem to be offended by the tactless Knight Bergeau. Her large silver eyes turned to Wellan who offered him his paw again. The contact of her long leg on his skin made him shudder and a rare smile lit his face. Slowly he drew her to meet the King Emerald followed by the queen companion. Bergeau and the other Knights brought up the rear, keeping a respectful distance.
“I'm sure she has cast a spell on him.” said Falcon to Bergeau near him.
“Such a beautiful face can not leave a male indifferent, Falcon.” replied Jasson, an grayish earth pony, taking care not to raise his voice.
“But she is from the Crystal Kingdom.” Reminded them Dempsey, another pegasus, walking behind them.
“And since when are we racist?” Asked the Knight Chloe, the only mare in the group.”
Ashamed, they said nothing more and followed the group to the huge white throne room draped in green. Emerald 1st rose slowly from his throne set with precious stones, and advanced towards the queen, holding out his talon. Fan slipped her hoof into his grip and bowed to him. King Emerald was the oldest of all the monarchs of Equestria, wiser too. Large, stout, white feathers covering his face. His pearl-gray eyes were frank and honest and he did not had an easy smile. But the Queen of Crystal seemed to operate on him the same charm as the head of his Knights.
“Rise, I pray you.” He said, spellbound.
Steps away from them, Wellan saw that the beauty of Fan also bewitched the king.
“You come from far away to visit me.” Said the king, dropping the hoof of Fan regretfully.
“I mostly came to restore the relations between my Kingdom and yours, Highness.” She answered in her melodious voice. “Long ago it should have been done.”
“I absolutely agree with you.” the king nodded. “Come sit with me at my table tonight and we could discuss all of this with a belly full of mead.”
“I fear it is impossible, Majesty. I've spent enough time away from my people, I must hasten to go back to my Kingdom. But before I go, I want to leave you a proof of our good will.”
A Crystal pony approached her and rummaged in her big coat. Wellan quietly put his claws on the hilt of his sword, but the woman took out of the folds something that looked like a child. The skinny creature had a purple skin with some holes and pointy ears like a cat. Her purple mane sprinkled paler strands. The whole court recoiled, especially superstitious Knight Falcon. Bergeau immediately put a hand on his arm reassuringly.
“This is my daughter, Kira, said the Queen. We heard you were looking for children to become proud warriors as the Knight Wellan.”
She cast a tender look to him, which he could not help but smile. His blood boiled in his veins and he knew he was in love with this wonderful unicorn.
“I open my doors to the aspirants once every six or seven years, milady.” Explained the king. “And are not accepted all those present.”
“Kira is a unique child.” assured Fan. “And it is important for the King Shill and for myself to make amend of the wanderings of Draka, his grandfather once King of Silver. We thought that the people of the continent would be more inclined to grant us His mercy if his granddaughter became a Knight of Emerald.”
The Queen laid the child on the marble floor. Kira could not have been more than two years old and she was clearly undernourished. She kept her head down and contemplated her hoof without making a sound. The king turned around.
“It would have to make her take tests that she isn't even old enough to understand.” he protested.
“ Do not underestimate her.” Fan replied softly.
The child seemed intimidated by all these strangers, but she did not try to hold on to her mother or to other pilgrims. She finally looked up and Emerald 1st could see her face, although she had quite a strange skin she looked just like any other pony. She had the fine features of her mother.
But her eyes were not of this world. The same color as her hair, two vertical pupils, as black as the night, were cracking her phosphorescent iris in the center.
“Would you give me a few days for my magician to evaluates her talent?”
“I can not stay, sire. If she fails, make her your servant.”
On this astonishing statement, Fan plunged into a graceful bow and left the room with her followers. The little Kira stood there, oddly resigned to her fate. The king immediately called his servants and asked them to take care of the child.
“And begin to feed her!” he exclaimed.
Then he turned to his Knights and ordered them to escort the Crystal pony to the border. Wellan took the lead and the six other Knights followed him into the great hall that echoed their steps. When they emerged into the sunny courtyard of the castle, no trace remained of the visitors. They questioned the artisans, laborers and servant and learned that the pilgrims had already left the fortress.
Surprised, Wellan rushed through the great doors of the walled enclosure and headed north with the rest of the knight behind him, but their searches were unsuccessful. They asked the peasants in the fields. All visitors had been seen pass but in different directions.
“But that's impossible! How could they go in all directions?” Bristled Jasson, the youngest of the Knights.
“I told you so!” thundered Falcon.” They are able to cast spells more powerful than us!”
“They were maybe sent by the Master of the Tartarus to cast a spell on the king?” Bergeau suggested anxiously.
“Or to keep to the Order of Emerald to be fully created.” added Dempsey.
Annoyed, Wellan suddenly raised his arm, imposing silence.
“If all the inhabitants of the continent hated you,” he said sternly. “Would you not want too to use of your magic and disappear to avoid being stoned to death before reaching your destination?”
“Wellan right.” Chloe supported. “They would never have been able to travel to us otherwise.”
“But why is the girl of the queen so ugly? Bergeau exploded.
“Me, what I do not understand is how a mother can leave her daughter alone without even knowing what will happen to her.” said Santo frowning.
“It is not hard to understand.” Softened Wellan. “The Crystal pony have continued to suffer from the exile Draka in their snowy peaks. Several kingdoms, which they had always provided food for their survival in exchange for beautiful gems they extract from their mountains, turned their backs. I think the queen was separated herself from her daughter so that she becomes a brave Knight and thus restore diplomatic relations between the crystal land and the rest of the continent.”
“And you think her plan will work?” Asked Falcon.
“You only have to look at Wellan to understand that yes.” laughed Jasson.
Wellan stiffened and took the sky with his powerful wings in direction of the castle. His brothers in arms exchanged a knowing look and followed him.
Author's Note
Hi everyone, I took this story from my little brother and did some minor modification to it before posting it on my account. As for the future chapter I plan on revamping almost everything he made so far.
Hope you liked.
