back in time for dinner

Back In Time for Dinner

Chapter Three

Written by Thunder Bird

Edited by Equis Ferus Callabus

Thunder was going to the last known destination the army was moving to. If he couldn’t meet with the force, he would look for them. He knew that they would make a stop at the fort, but which one he was not sure. Brave was facing a hard choice: tell the army who he is or stay in hiding. Both plans had their pro’s and cons.. Zina too facing a hard choice. The moral of the home front was dropping, and she needed to do something but she wasn’t sure what.

Zina was in a war council meeting with individuals such as The mistress of coin, The King's Guard Captain, her Spymaster and the quiet but caring hoofmaid Velvet Song. After the expected opening greetings the one everypony feared came, yes it was a war council but the idea still felt wrong in some way or another.

“I have gathered you here today to discuss how we are going to support the troops on the front lines and the home front. When the war gets to it’s darkest days we will need plans in place to help everypony who is a member of the kingdom.” Zina looked around the room from face to face, none of the ponies seemed to be listening to her. “Unless we have any other business that is more important than the preservation of the Fire Kingdom and our lives.” This made all the ponies look toward Zina. “Thank you.”

A stallion with a red mane and a dark brown coat, who had the title Captain of the King’s Guard spoke next. “Princess Zina, all due respect but all the stallions are out fighting, but your husband hasn’t been seen. Where is he?”

Zina hesitated for a moment.

“That is...private information”

“And we are your most trusted servants, correct?” The Captain asked.

“Correct.”

“Then where is he?”

Zina sighed, she knew that she wouldn’t win

“He’s fighting on the front lines.”

A murmur went around the table, then the Mistress of Coin she was a young mare, with a blue mane with an electric blue stripe going through it and her coat was a less bright shade of blue with a hint of green, spoke.

“Princess, as you know we don’t have much money spare since this war started. We didn’t have much to start with, where do you suggest the money to make the preparations for the future come from?”

Silence.

The Spymaster who many ponies didn’t know what he looked like due to his robes spoke.

“To get knowledge of enemy caravans is the armies job. But, I could get some of my little birds to plant a seed in the enemy’s camp. Princess...”

Not many ponies understood the spymaster, and less knew his name. but they knew one thing, he could get a job done.

Zina looked to Velvet “Velvet, you’ve been awful quiet anything on your mind?”

“Well...I am wondering”

She was cut off by the Captain of the Guard

“What will she know? She is but a maid!”

“And how many are fighting?”

“They are protecting yo-”

“So that’s what, none?”

He lowered his head.

“I apologize for my outburst, Princess”

“It’s okay, times are hard” she then turned to Velvet. “Go on dear.”

“No, really, I insist. Go on.”

“If the capitol is attacked and the stallions are fighting. Who will save us?”

The ponies in the room went quiet. Too quiet.

The stallion spoke “But that will never happen”

“But what if it does? Commander of the guard, what will you do?” questioned Velvet

He was once again silent. Than Zina spoke

“My dear, I am not called the princess of fire and heat for nothing.”

Velvet looked reassured, “Yes princess, sorry for asking.”

“Don’t be, my dear. Now is they any more business?” She paused for a moment, looking around.

“No? Okay then, good luck everypony.”