Broken stretched and got off the boat at the dock and looked around smiling as he saw the small port town. This part of the country had some lush grass due to the nearby spring. He watched as the girls got off and looked around as their luggage was unloaded. He had on a pair of light tan cargo shorts and a white tee-shirt. Around his waist was a black silk sash with red tipped tassels. Tucked in it was his large knife. He saw a small group of three earth ponies walking towards them all wearing a similar sash. The first was a large gray stallion with bulging muscles that had a scimitar on his side. The second was a slender light purple mare that had a small knife on either side of her waist. The third and final member of the group was a orange colt on the verge of stallionhood with a large straight sword that seemed it would be too big for him to hold on his back.

Broken smiled and pulled the large stallion into a tight embrace. “Iron, it’s good to see you again my brother.”

The large stallion hugged back and chuckled. “It is good to see you as well Broken Shell. It has been far too long since we last walked the desert together.”

Broken stepped back from the embrace and looked over to the elements who were right behind him. “Girls, these are our escorts for our journey. May i introduce Iron Hide, Rose Thorn, and Little Bit.” He said as he motioned to the three new arrivals. “They are members of the red scimitars guild and some of the best caravan guards there are.”

Iron nodded at the girls and noticed a few of them, especially the butter colored pegasus, were looking at him with a bit of fear.

Rose smiled as she looked over the group, her mind thinking of different ways to move with them to ensure the best protection.

Little just looked at Broken Shell. He was clearly excited to see someone he looked up to come back again.

Broken watched as the group’s belongings were put on the wagon and let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. It felt good to be home again and he knew that once they reached the capital, not even the princesses themselves could bring harm to his charges.

They started walking and Broken continued to catch up with his old friends, constantly keeping his eyes on the group of mares in front of him and on the horizon. Suddenly, Little asked a question he had not been expecting. “Hey Broken, where is your friend you brought last time? His name was Growing Flower right? He seemed nice.”

Broken’s breath hitched for just a second noticed only by Iron hide. Broken just looked at the colt. “He died.” Broken had a small smile oh his face as he remembered the happy look on his former coltfriend’s face when they had gotten off the same boat he had just left less than an hour before.

Iron nodded a unspoken word of support before they all resumed walking. A few hours of talking later, they arrived at the capital. In the center of it were the large towers of the palace. The elements all made a slight sound of awe looking at the large city where they could just feel the energy of the life around them and the large ancient stones cut to make it.

Broken looked at them. “Okay get in the wagon here. That way you’ll draw less attention and you won't get pickpocketed as easily.” They all looked at him before they silently agreed to his idea knowing he knew this place much better than they did.

It took them 10 minutes to get to the palace since most of the capital's residents were at work or school. The large palace that loomed over them was much bigger then the castle of the royal sisters and a few hundred years older. There were two large guards standing out in front of the gate but they moved to the side when they saw the sashes around the mercenaries waists and shoulders.

Once inside, Broken nodded at the girls to come down. “Okay, your things will be taken to your room. Just follow me and we will go and meet the king who is waiting for us inside the entrance hall. Remember to be serious but not too serious.” He looked at Pinkie Pie and Twilight especially.

He led them into the large doors as the three guards they had arrived with left to go and do whatever it was they do. Broken smiled when he saw the familiar tan coat and white robes of the of the large earth pony king. “Girls I present his majesty the king of Saddle Arabia, Lionis Melran. Your majesty these are the elements of harmony.”

The king smiled and laughed a friendly and hearty laugh. “Broken Shell it is great to see you again. I do hope your journey was nice.” He walked down at looked at the group of mares bowing. “Please, please, stand up and relax. I may be a king, but I hate formalities.”

Broken smiled at the shock on the mares faces after hearing the king of one of the most powerful nations act so casual. “King I must know, where is your son? He is usually here to greet me.”

The King nodded. “He went into town. He probably did not realize today was the day you were coming. I mean, we both know he loves to see his best friend.”

Twilight looked at Broken Shell in shock. “Wait, you are best friends with the prince of the second most powerful pony nation in all of Equis? You are really strange, you know that right?”

Broken shrugged. “Well I mean, we learned from the same teacher and spent most of our younger life sparing.”

Twilight nodded and the king looked at them. “Please, follow Broken Shell to your rooms to get settled. He will then bring you to meet me again.”

Broken nodded. “Follow me.”

Author's Note

Big thanks to my new editor Mystic Leaf on this one.