A Song of Sand and Snow: A Game of Ponies

Twilight Sparkle

The chariot landed and Twilight Sparkle, whose once luscious lavender coat and primed wings, were left ruffled by the winds that gave her and two of the Royal Guard chariots trouble making it to the Kingdom in the North. Landing just in the center of a snowy garden, where the the white foams from the winter skies drifted down and painted a white sheet over this cold and brim kingdom. The princess could remembered it, seeing the palace with her purple eyes. How the hightowers on each side stretched larger than the masonry kingdom. Where the walls expanded farther and around, connecting to a castle not as similar as Canterlot’s walls that were attached to the mountains. The kingdom was almost like an igloo, excluding the dome.

It was colder than she imagined, even Ser Lancer and his frosted blue coat and vermillion eyes and Ser Grey Wind, gray all over, with his brown-hazel eyes, her guards felt worse. They were there during the Carpopetri incident, alongside her brother Shining Armor. This kingdom had most of the ocean by its side from the northern walls and the wide spread pinecone forest on east, south, and west. Who would want to come here? It’s winter every day!

As Twilight shook off the snow on her coat, chilly and unprepared, she took in her surroundings and admired how large the walls were in the garden, how the black gates separated some parts here, and how the stone steps that had some cracks, curved around the section of the grey rocky walls to reveal a large platform and two massive wooden doors each side bearing King Rex’s sigil.

“We Wear Our Scars With Pride,” the motto the king said himself and his father before him. Diamond Dogs here, compared to the cravens in the mountains were fierce, loyal, and unafraid of the winter. They did not even shivered at the sight of a few dragons flying by, knowing that they were prepare to fight if one thought to mess with them. Even the Wyverns weren’t as foolish as the hydras. Twilight shivered ironically, not from the cold, but from the thoughts in what Diamond Dogs here did to Hydras.

They eat meat and whatever they kill is dinner for the rest.

Ascending up the steps, with her guards by her side, she kept the saddle bag tightly around her to at least provide some warmth to her back. When she stopped in front of the doors, they opened up wide to reveal a large husky whose nose was large blue, but the right part of his furry face was scarred and there he was missing a right eye in replaced with an eyepatch.

Beside him were iron mailed hounds, shorter than the large one, wielding spears in their respected paws. The husky approached the princess and spoke in a gruff tone as if speaking was just painful. Twilight of course had to remain respectful regardless, she was a guest sent by Celestia and Luna.

“It’s always pleasant to see royalty back in our halls, young princess-Twilight Sparkle,” he greeted with a small bow. Unlike the Diamond Dogs in Equestria, these Diamond Dogs worn clothing that would keep them warm. Like the Husky before her, he worn a thick black coat made of fur she wished not to know. But how he was hunched was similar to the dogs in the mountain. They weighed themselves down for various reasons, lifting heavy objects, mining, and dealing with the cold snow here!

“It is quite pleasant being here too, who might you be, ser?” She asked, bowing back, though unsure if it was the right thing to do. She knew nothing about the Diamond Dogs’ courtesies, as much as she knew less on the Yaks.

“I am Ser Skoll of Loyce, the advisor of the king, his trusted paw.”

It must mean that my presence if of the highest honor then, Twilight thought.

“I am also here to escort you to the king’s throne room.” He added along, as he rose from his paws. Just him standing on those two hindlegs made Twilight nervous on the approach. They were taller than the average pony.

“I will be most honored if you did, Ser Skoll. Most honored indeed,” she responded, rising up herself. Her guards looked at one another, stoic and trained to be as bronze and stone. Where the princess go, they’d go.

The hall was larger than Canterlot’s palace, even the pillars stretched high into the dark archway ceilings. But it was still cold inside and even the torches that hung on the walls in their holders brought in some illumination, the dark stone walls did not warm any visitor. Twilight shivered a bit, but did not complain to Skoll about it, believing it would be rude of course.

They continued further down, making a few turns, passing by the kitchen where Twilight was lucky enough not to see a deceased lamb being skinned and chopped by the cooks. They did past by a library, larger than her own, but not as large as the one in Canterlot. Some scholars could be seen studying, while few were just putting away books and taking them out, the place did not seem to get as much life.  The further they burrowed through the kingdom, Twilight was given a chance to see what the other side of the kingdom was like!

The windows were empty of glass, allowing winds at a low measure to pour in, but not strong enough to carry snow inside. Out there, she spotted the city below the long stretch hill and the salty sea that had a few ships bounded to the ports. It was like Canterlot, except far from the ocean and snow all together. We might as well be the Kingdom of Summer if that’s the case. But Twilight did not speak out such a light joke, these Diamond Dogs at first glance were considered hard, stone, and made to be strong and less funny.

Winter braided them like ice and the ice made their furs sheen under the light. She even spotted the training yard the moment they exited back outside, taking the shortcut route advised by Skoll himself, and witnessed how trained these canines were. Diamond Dogs were given whatever metal they could find and were taught to do one thing, kill if they have to. Though Equestria opposed of such to an extent, these dogs were in favor of honor, loyalty, and defending the ones they love. The young pups she spotted were fierce against each other when their trainer let them had a brawl for five minutes, till one of them were spitting out blood after getting his nose broken.

By the time they were gone from the training yard and now passing along the stone bridge over a fountain and common hall, the princess was beginning to grow adapt to the weather. Not wishing to bear the silence any longer, not as long as her guards could masterly do so well. The princess took a moment to think of a nice way to start up a conversation.

“So, how do you all manage so well up here where it snows every day?” Twilight asked and Skoll turned his head towards here where his hard visible brown eye could be seen under that large patch of fur.

“We were born in the North, for so many years were were trained to handle such nasty weather especially when the dragons had our ancestors enslaved. We originally travel from the seas if you remember the Days of the Frostborn.” Skoll answered.

The pirates of Leviathan, the ones who would pillage even small ships in the sea. Life is what life was, she thought. “That’s quite...wow. You were from the seas?”

Skoll had some pride to his ancestors history and their weathery adaption. “Unlike them Summer dogs that stick to sacking caravans, stealing, and being the cravens themselves, we were masters of the seas. We were skilled navigators, we knew how to interpret the weather property, we managed well on coin too. But most of all, we did not rely on magic.” Twilight flinched on the last part for Skoll had some tone of detest towards magic.

However, he gave a light smile to the mare, maybe he just did not like magic in general, but respected ponies regardless. Unicorns and Alicorns were always reliant on magic as much as an alchemist was too. Some lands did not favor it for their own reasons. Either it was unreliable, did not mold somepony to be strong and independent, or the thought of it just sicken them.

“Aye, the winter was every hour and every day for us. We were born in it, we lived in it, we died in it. When the dragons came, turning us into slaves, we lost our chances in exploring the seas once more as the pirates of cove. But your princesses came eventually and King Baron united with them to liberate us. Of course we couldn’t be doing the same thing we ever so desired again, but at least we got back our freedom, took over this kingdom, and own the North.”

“The north is a big place,” she replied. “But it has to be hard managing any crops here.”

“We don’t always manage the crops, we hunt, sometimes we hunt ponies.” He commented, causing the lavender alicorn to eep. “I jest, but we do hunt the ones wanted and send them to work for us. I am sure you are familiar with the Iron Helms?”

The princess returned to her kind and interested composure, brightened up that they were having a conservation out here in the cold. Just coming closer to the Grand Tower where the King’s throne resided. Some servants passed by, few tall and few small, but not even close to Skoll’s height.

“Lord Loyce of Silver-Fang created them to guard the realm from the Outlands, wait...Loyce of Silver-Fang, is that your father? Who is far in the South?” Twilight gasped, earning a nod and yearning sigh from the husky.

“That’s right, my father is a Lord, but no more ever since he dethroned himself for the king and put me in his seat. Now he trains any recruit he could have delivered to him down south. Whether they’d be rapist, thieves, sons of a peasant, or knights no longer capable of keeping their blades sharp for their lords. He does not care about their past, but what use they can have for the realm. If Tyrek caused that much trouble, it’d be no surprise others could too. The Outlands is no place for any traveller and what is out there is out there for a reason.”

Twilight couldn’t agree more. The Outlands in the far south reminded her of the Everfree. Names had enchanted meanings and most of these enchanted meanings were ominous and life-threatening as it was.

“May I ask why you were sent her in replacement of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?” Skoll asked.

“I don’t mean this in disrespect,” she struggled to put it, “but the reason of this information is vital to only the king. He is the only one after all I am here to see.” He is the only one who can understand such a message after all. They refuse to tell me its meaning, but if it is that vital, then I have no place to question them. It must be important right?

Skoll did not seem displeased, his face seemed like stone. Difficult to read. The Winter made them hard.

The grand doors made of iron and held the sigils of the Diamond Dog Kingdom proudly, were pushed open by the two guards that accompanied Skoll. Inside, was the grand throne room where the King’s guards stood beside each column. Large and strong breeds too, bluenose and rednose alike. Ahead, were four diamond dogs, three were seated-the last stood beside his king.

On the far right was a fine greyhound with charming blue eyes and a black ring spot around the right eye. He was adorned in fine leather, boiled and studded with dark blue garbs that draped over his shoulders. When he spotted Twilight, the beauty he held was replaced with a scowl.

The one on the far right, was a beautiful golden retriever, young and with curls that draped down her flat floppy ears. She had those elegant brown eyes, and was worn with a lovely dress with a blue fur cuffed coat. When she spotted Twilight, she gave her a nice and kind smile. The princess couldn’t help but feel almost welcomed and embarrass all together.

In the middle was the King, the glorious king Rex; sipping the strongest of ale from a solid gold chalice filigreed with gems that glimmer. With a big wrinkle face, this bulldog had drunken red eyes, and exposable fangs that poked out from the black lips. Twilight spotted even some drool on the sides, realizing the king had little to no matters for guests, yet the stories of him being a strong warrior spoke differently. When his eyes spotted the princess, his young husky servant approached from around the column, only to be brushed away by the king’s light gesture, a sway of his paw.

The princess stopped, her guards were still behind her, and Skoll kneeled before his king as Twilight followed in courtesy. Rex eyed her for the most part, up and down, she could feel those red eyes upon her body. It was the first time she stood before such royalty that wasn’t a pony.

“Aye, you’re his daughter alright, Night Light of House Sparkle?” When he spoke, she could hear the grumble in his voice, as words were chucked hard at her either sluggishly or cruelly, stupor from the ale.

“I am the daughter of Night Light, your grace,” she responded, her head still faced the floor.

“Look at me while you’re talking, do you see a crown on the dirty floor of shit?” Twilight almost jumped in fright when he spoke out to her in such a tone, she obeyed without question. The king was blunt, hard as stone, stubborn perhaps, but there was that fire in his eyes the princess could not avoid but feel allured. If only she could bring her friends from Ponyville, they would be astonished perhaps, maybe Pinkie Pie for the most part.

“You’re a princess, ponies-always with them courtesies-should always speak to a Diamond Dog king staring right at them, don’t bow girl and talk to the floor. So, what brings you here? Ol’ hag getting uncomfortable on her chair all of a sudden?”

The way he spoke of Celestia made Twilight cringed a bit, but she did not deign a frown, she forced herself to be stoic and seldom the lord before her.

“Princess Celestia sent me here in regards to a private letter meant for you,” Twilight responded, earning a quirked brow from the king. She caught his interest at least. “I have it with me, if you wish to see it, your grace.”

“Give it here,” he ordered and Twilight obeyed. The letter floated out of her saddlebag, a letter sealed with a blood stamp by the Canterlot’s sigil itself; a Rising Phoenix, was levitated by Twilight herself as her horn glow to the king. Skoll growled under his breath, but Rex growled back to hush the hound that despised magic. When Rex grasped the letter into his fat paws, Twilight ceased from using her magic and Skoll returned to a patient temper lord as he was, not paying attention to the apologetic gaze Twilight gave him.

Rex torn open the letter and pulled out the message Celestia had sent him. Line from line, with slight mumbles being heard from under his breath, the canine snarled and soon started to laugh. Just what did the princess write to him? Twilight wondered as Rex lowered the letter and looked towards Twilight with a toothy grin.

“Skoll, see to it this mare is given a warm room, fine meal, and warm clothing for the morrow.” Rex ordered, his loyal adviser did not question his king.

Twilight was confused. “Your grace?”

“Your princess truly is a feisty one, I remember when she visited herself, always blunt to the core of a stick. Aye, short story, young princess. You’re staying here till I get some things settled up. You’re our guest.”

“Father, you can’t possibly take in a pony into our keep,” it was his son that spoke up and Twilight finally recognized him from the stories written about the Diamond Dog kingdom. Prince Yammir of Rex, The Greyhound of Summer.

“Don’t you judge me, boy, you’re no king yet. This mare is our guest.” Rex’s backlash silenced his young son, next in throne.

“It will be an honorary pleasure to have you here as our guest, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” The daughter, youngest of Rex’s family, Princess Nocta of Shimmeth spoke softly. She was sweet and had a lovely voice, it made Twilight almost envious, but glad this mare seem kinder than her rude brother.

“Marron, where’s Silver Paw?” Rex asked, as he stood from his chair as if struggling to get out of that iron throne seat melded with all sorts of metal.

“Your bastard is training in the yard,” Marron answered, the old pitbull’s blue nose seem more grey like his fur, old and brittle. He was the King’s closest friend, Twilight remembered reading about, one of the full that helped the king get the kingdom out of a debt with Saddle Arabia.

“Have him accompany Night Light’s daughter.” He ordered, “Servant, get me more wine, I’m heading to my bedroom.” Rex practically waddled off, his obese size made it hard for him to go around the chair and head towards the two exits opening in the back. Marron bowed and went off, past Twilight and Skoll.

When the King was gone, Yammir scoffed at the sight of Twilight and left, heading the same way his father had went, the princess gave her a gentle smile and followed behind. This day became quite an uneasy event to handle already.

She was not sure how this king knew her father, what the letter was about, or even the tension between Yammir’s detestment for her, but Twilight was not given time to think. Skoll tapped her shoulder and her guards were ready to follow behind. He seemed quite eager to show her her room, she was not so likely ready to take in the fact she was not going back home any time sooner.

The walk to the high tower on the far east was longer than the trek from the gardens. The snow grew worse for Twilight while her guards were losing their character from the chilling cold touch of winter. Snow crunch beneath their hooves as they past by a few more servants outside and a few more guards on duty in the cold. Just how could they manage through such weather? She thought.

As they walked among the stone bridge with clear view through the fine battlement of the forest. The bridge was just connected to the Hightower called the Grey Fang; a fine built bailey just kissing a few clouds that brushed by the sharp iron spike upon the roof. Twilight found it to be stretching higher than the one in Canterlot for sure, too similar to her previous home back in her student days.

No one talk along the way, it was a quiet walk, especially when they reached the tower and inside where a spiral stairway led up past a few rooms. This felt more like a prison for certain  captives, Twilight thought, but she was a guest here and assumed that there was no other place to put her in. Ponies were not given as much respect though, from what she saw as she was led up the steps passing by a few more servants and guards on break, just her sight appalled them.

When Skoll reached the highest top, he opened the door and behind the wooden door with iron bolts along the surface connected to the arch stone wall, was a large room fit for a princess. Though the window was close, a few candles were seen on the shelves no longer lit, and the darkness that was illuminated from outside covered only half of it. The bedroom was cold, Twilight could feel a strong brush of wind just sweeping beneath her hooves.

“This here is where you’d be staying, Silver Paw will be here shortly with your needed items to warm up here. As our guest, do not hesitate to request anything that you happen to find in your interest.” Skoll finished as Twilight walked in, prompting herself on her bed while her guards stood out with Skoll’s.

“I am most honored to be here as your guest, but I do have questions that cannot leave my mind.” Twilight responded, a bit jumpy at the end.

“If it’s about communication with your princess, we have a raven just for you. That...or you could just use your magic,” Skoll stated, in the end he will not even go easy on her when it came to that word. Twilight would no longer expect any less, no matter his kindness. “What is it that you have to ask in case the raven is not on your mind?”

Twilight thought for a moment. “How long will I be here? In the Kingdom of course?”

“Eager to leave?”

“Eager to know when,” she responded not minding the grin on his face, finding her question most comical. Who wouldn’t want to leave here, it’s cold and I almost slipped on ice not too long ago.

“King Rex is a busy king, kings like him desired to drink, fuck a bitch, and set up tourneys for the people’s entertainment. But fear not Twilight Sparkle, Rex is a good hearted king. He may come out as blunt as any Diamond Dog up here in the North, but he is a good king.”

Good kings are loved as much as princesses are, but still curiosity was in the air for Twilight Sparkle. What was written in that letter? Was it vital to her being here? The princess wished Celestia was not as discreet with her. She was a princess too, didn’t she deserved some rights to know what was written in that letter?

“I think I am taking up all your time, it’s a pleasure getting to know you. I do hope that my time here would be most vivacious here.”

“Here in Vulcanos, you’ll find that the winter is but a facade, behind it is a door leading towards many wonders.” Skoll said as he headed out of the room, taking the handle of the door and turning towards the lavender with a canine grin. The half-blind hound concluded. “I will have servants send you a meal fit for an equine, I hope you don’t mind the fact our fruit is mostly hard and cold; freshly chilled Frost berries and Bluemoon Apples.”

“That would be most appreciated,” she said with a gentle smile. “See you soon, Ser Skoll.”

“See you soon, m’lady.” The door closed, leaving the princess alone in her chambers.

She peered out through the frosty window and looked South, over the sea, just past those massive ships, she could no longer see her mentor’s glorious sun. The winter was here, the princess was far from home.