A Master of Deceit

Remiel breathed a sigh of relief when he and Stalwart made it to the the tall, white stone gates of Canterlot Castle. "Come on, it wasn't that bad," Stalwart said to him with a cheeky grin. It was true enough, the ponies of Canterlot could have done more than just stare at him with wide-eyed shock and speak in hushed whispers.

"Speak for yourself," Remiel  mumbled. While he had anticipated the local ponies would react with shock and wonder, he hadn't prepared himself for so many staring eyes. He despised being the center of attention. Though he supposed there were worse ways of revealing himself to the public. Like being dressed in hospital clothes. At least he was dressed to make a good first impression.

"So you finally made it back, Stalwart," another pony in the same resplendent a armor as Stalwart said. This pony was of the earth pony variety though.

"Aye, things went a little sideways at the hospital," Stalwart replied. "Everything's sorted though, even brought our guest of honor." The pony standing guard looked Remiel over once.

"So this is the creature the princesses have been looking for?" Remiel felt slightly offended, but didn't let it show.

"That's not very nice, Bulwark," Stalwart replied in Remiel's defense. "Colt's got a name. It's Remiel, call him Rem." The pony shrugged his shoulders.

"Weird creature, weird name," he replied. Remiel's lip gave a slight twitch of annoyance. Only nine humans had ever dismissed him like that. Two were dead and the other seven were soon to join them.

"And you wonder why mares won't go out with you," Stalwart sighed then looked over to Remiel. "Just ignore my older brother, he's not good at talking with others." Remiel smiled and waved it off with his free hand.

"Water under the bridge, my friend," Remiel replied. Stalwart smirked, seemingly relieved Remiel hadn't taken offense.

"Good to hear," he said. "Now let's get a move on, princesses can't be kept waiting forever." Remiel nodded his head.

"Pleasure making your acquaintance, sir," Remiel told the pony standing guard. The guard only nodded his head. While he didn't care for the guard's attitude, it was also quite refreshing. He was being treated like a normal person for the first time in his life. It was rather off putting to be honest. With their goodbyes to the gate guard finished they then proceeded into the castle grounds. All in all it was a very awe inspiring sight. Perfectly manicured lawns, beautiful sculptures. It was a tad overkill in his opinion. He preferred simplicity and elegance, but he supposed that since these rulers ruled in the open they needed to convey as much power and wealth as they could.

They neared the large castle doors, which to Remiel's surprise were wide open, and got his first glimpse inside. Just as he expected, the hall reeked of excessive spending,  from the marble floor to cheesy, yet likely expensive, pottery on marble podiums. The thought caused Remiel's mind to pause momentarily. Is this how people felt when they entered his home? No, couldn't be. He appreciated the beauty of marble as much as the next rich person, but this was on a whole different level. Even the walls shone like marble. He always thought of large manors and castles as a passive display of power. This was more like bludgeoning someone with it. It undoubtedly impressed foreign dignitaries, but Remiel was unfazed.

"Mighty impressive, huh?" Stalwart asked. Remiel forced himself to appear mesmerized by the sight.

"Breathtaking, truly," Remiel told him. The guard laughed softly.

"That's what everypony says the first time they see it," he replied. "Don't worry, it wears off after a little while."

"Let us hope," Remiel replied.

"'Nuff sightseeing, let's get a move on to the throne room," Stalwart told him. Remiel nodded his head and they began their slow procession through the castle. Remiel wasn't completely pessimistic about the decor. The portraits that lined the walls were very well done and seemed to depict numerous historical figures. There were none in particular that garnered his attention, but he filed away each figure into his memory anyway. Suddenly they came across another large set of doors guarded by half a dozen ponies on either side. Stalwart held out his hand.

"Wait here, I'll go tell the princesses you're here," he said. Remiel nervously nodded his head. He had slowly been building up the anxiety in him as they neared the doors. "Don't worry, they're nice."

"I hope you're right," Remiel said in a low voice. Stalwart put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't you worry none," he replied with a bright smile. "I'll be back in just a tick." Remiel returned the smile, albeit a weak and anxious one. The guard then turned and approached the door, the guards stationed there confirming he was supposed to be there. Finally the doors swung open and he disappeared inside as they closed behind him. Remiel felt it was a good time to allow his leg to begin hurting and making small hints at it. Suddenly one of the guards left his post and approached him.

"Are you alright?" he asked. Remiel sheepishly nodded his head.

"Yes, my leg is just a little sore and stiff," he lied. The guard nodded his head.

"We have a small seating section over here if you wish to rest a moment," he replied. "Lieutenant Stalwart is likely to be a few minutes."

"Thank you," Remiel said as kindly as he could. The guard ushered him over to the sitting area and Remiel took a seat on a luscious bench with crimson cushions that felt a soft as a cloud. Remiel thanked the guard again and he nodded in response before returning to his post. Now all Remiel had to do was wait, and go over his story once more.

----Inside The Throne Room----

Princess Celestia sat upon a large golden throne cushioned by crimson cushions as she eagerly awaited Lieutenant Stalwart's return. To her right sat the ebony throne of her dear sister Luna, and to the left the amathyst throne of her dear student. No, that wasn't right. Twilight Sparkle was no longer her student, but her fellow princess. Alas she could not easily relinquish her almost maternal feelings for the young filly. She gave a warm smile to the filly as she sat in her throne, barely able to hold herself still.

When Celestia had sent for her to come to Canterlot because of the discovery of a new sapient creature, she knew the mare would be bubbling with questions. However, she knew there would be parts that would sicken and strike fear into her, but she would have to learn about the darkness that ponies were capable of eventually. At least here she could expose her to it in a controlled manner.

Her sister Luna, on the other hoof, was a completely different matter. She was not anxious because of a scholarly interest, no, she was more artist than historian. What had her holding her silence was a deep and quiet anger that she hid beneath a calm demeanor centuries of ruling had instilled in her. While she had the heart of an artist, she also had with it room for a deep loathing of those who would maliciously bring misfortune upon others. When Luna had heard about the mysterious 'human', what had befallen him, and what he had done, she was equal parts enraged at what the ponies had wrought, and praised what he had done.

Suddenly the doors to the throne room opened, and in walked the lieutenant. The older princesses seamlessly slipped back into their royal attentive states while Twilight's excitement only grew. She would learn the 'Royal Pokerface' eventually. The lieutenant approached the three thrones and got down on one knee, waiting for them to address him.

"Rise, Lieutenant," Celestia told him. Stalwart rose back to his full height.

"How is the human?" Luna asked.

"He's awake and speaking, Your Highness," he answered. "He's confirmed that his name is Remiel as well as the events that the one prisoner told us."

"I'm sensing a 'but'," Luna replied. He nodded his head.

"While he is awake and moving again, I've learned he has suffered both medical and possibly psychological effects from his imprisonment." Celestia felt her heart quicken slightly, despite the calm look on her face. The wellness of his body and mind had suffered even more than they had anticipated? A small part of her heart was breaking for the poor creature, but her mind refused to let go of the fact that he had killed a pony. While she couldn't fault him for defending himself from a stallion who would have surely killed him, her mind couldn't ignore the fact that he was dangerous. Perhaps it was unfair, but she couldn't help it. However, regardless of her emotions, she would judge the human fairly.

"What of his physical health?" Celestia asked.

"Prior to his imprisonment he suffered from a human condition he called Rocancourt Syndrome," Stalwart explained. "Apparently it's a blood disorder that causes his body to reject his own blood by coughing it out." The three princesses couldn't help but show a mixture of horror and repulsion at the disease. "However, he claims that the illness is merely chronic and not life-threatening."

"If he had this malady before his capture, how does it relate to his imprisonment?" Luna asked.

"As you know, the criminal Crimson Sky assaulted Remiel moments before the guards arrived with the intention of killing him," Stalwart explained. Twilight Sparkle gasped at the news. Celestia silently cursed herself, she had forgotten to inform her of the more harrowing portions of the human's story. "In the struggle, Crimson Sky managed to cut him several times on his forearms and hooves as well as a deep stab wound near his left shoulder."

"Yes," Luna responded. "We did read that in the report."

"But the report from the hospital details even more injuries to his being, " Stalwart added. The princesses' eyes went wide. There were even more injuries? "They reported several broken bones, some of which already showed signs of healing, as well as bruising over most of his torso. Also, in addition to the cuts on his fore hooves there were signs of burning. The same with his back hooves. The medical staff is saying the cause is due to an electric type of spell. Taking into consideration all these injuries, they came to the conclusion that he was beaten several times over the course of his imprisonment." Celestia could barely believe what she was hearing. The small part of her heart that was breaking for the human, no, Remiel was growing with each passing moment.

"So not only did they foalnap and try to murder him, but they tortured him as well?" Luna asked, her inner fury beginning to break loose.

"That is my assumption," he answered.

"How can anypony be so cruel?" Twilight asked quietly, her voice sounding on the verge of tears. Celestia began to second guess her decision to have her here. Maybe it was too much for her to handle, but it was too late now.

"And you fear that this trauma may stress his illness?" Celestia asked. Stalwart nodded his head. Celestia couldn't deny that. Such a grave condition to be born with, and his mistreatment could very well aggravate his disease. Perhaps it would be wise to keep him under medical supervision for a time. "And what of his mental condition?"

"I fear that may be even worse than his physical health," Stalwart replied gravely. The princesses gave looks of alarm. "I'm no psychologist, but I think he may have been in a state of denial over what happened."

"What do you mean?" Twilight Sparkle asked. Stalwart was silent for a moment.

"When somepony goes through something as traumatic as what he did, it's not unheard of that their mind will block out the memories in order to protect itself," Stalwart explained. "Or in his case, he remembers, but his mind refuses to accept it as the truth."

"So he denies his actions?" Luna asked. The guard gravely shook his head.

"I fear that is not the case, anymore," he replied. "Forgive me, but I spoke with him for a while and dug up his memories of Crimson Sky's attack." Stalwart explained. Celestia's heart began to race.

"How did he react?" Celestia asked, truly afraid of the reaction.

"Badly," Stalwart answered. "It was like he was reliving the event all over. His body shook, his breathing became erratic, and his eyes held a horror in them I've rarely seen." Celestia's heart was on the verge of shattering. "But the worst was when he recalled killing Crimson Sky." Twilight Sparkle gasped.

"H-He killed him?" she asked softly, horrified. Stalwart nodded his head.

"While he can't recall the act itself, he said the last he remembered was tripping and Crimson Sky falling on top of him, driving the dagger into his chest, before finding himself lying atop him with the dagger piercing the stallion's heart."

"It's amazing he was able to turn the tide on that...monster as he did," Luna said. Stalwart nodded.

"Fear and adrenaline are a potent combination," Stalwart replied. The lunar princess nodded her head in agreement.

"How did he react to the knowledge that he killed Crimson Sky?" Celestia asked. Despite her breaking heart, her mind still demanded to know whether he was a cold-blooded killer.

"He was horrified and became physically ill," was the reply. "I think he was more disturbed by the fact he killed somepony than the fact that somepony tried to kill him."

"What do you mean he became ill?" Celestia pressed.

"He threw up," was the simple reply. "He said something about killing somepony and started gaging. I barely had enough time to grab something before he sullied the hospital bed." The three princesses were sickened by the Remiel's reaction, but more saddened for him. He had been through so much, and after it all he had done something even he had seen as monstrous. "It's not an uncommon reaction for somepony who's forced to take another's life. Despite being left with no alternative, it's horrifying to learn that you've actually taken somepony's life." Celestia and Luna nodded their heads while Twilight Sparkle looked on in absolute horror.

"So you're saying he's in a fragile state right now," Celestia concluded. Stalwart nodded his head.

"His attending doctor wanted him to rest a few more days before coming here, but he declined," he explained. Celestia gave him a confused look.

"Why did he do that?"

"If I had to guess, he's afraid of being alone right now," the guard explained.

"W-Why is that?" Twilight Sparkle asked, fighting through her shock. Stalwart was silent a moment, seemingly collecting his thoughts.

"Taking a life is never easy, princess," Stalwart explained. "For somepony who is forced to take another's life, it is a very traumatic experience. At first they are horrified by their actions, then sickened and if they are left alone they can grow to hate themselves. To become repulsed by the fact that they were capable of committing such a heinous act. If they don't receive any help, their thoughts can grow even darker, to the point they may even consider taking their own life to maybe atone for their perceived crime. It's my guess that that's what he's afraid of."

"So you're saying that this may be an unconscious cry for help?" Luna asked. The lieutenant nodded his head.

"I went through something very similar, so I may be just comparing my ordeals to his." He was silent a moment. "But I imagine what he's going through is even more traumatic."

"Why?" Twilight Sparkle asked. It seemed her thirst for knowledge and understanding had overpowered her shock.

"I'm a trained guard," he answered. "I enlisted knowing that someday I may be forced to take a life. But I can't imagine that Remiel ever expected he would go through something like that."

"How so?" Celestia asked.

"In conjunction with his medical condition, Remiel is little more than skin and bones. He looks like he's lived a sheltered life, kept away from any kind of hard or even slightly dangerous work." If his assessment was correct, Celestia had to agree. Guards were trained to fight and, if necessary, kill. It didn't make their job any easier, but a civilian who would be forced to kill to save their own life would undoubtedly face even greater hardships.

"What are your thoughts on Remiel as a pony?" Celestia asked. Stalwart thought for a moment.

"In my opinion," he said in a resolute tone that brokered no self doubt, "Remiel is a good colt. Troubled and a little strange, but he's a good colt." Celestia was only slightly surprised by the guard's statement. Most of it was at the lieutenant's use of the word 'colt'. It meant that he was fond of the human. Her guards were unusually good judges of character, so she was inclined to believe him, but she would save her final judgment until after she met with him.

"And where is he right now?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

"Just outside the throne room, Your Highness," Stalwart answered. Celestia got her conflicting emotions under control before she addressed her lieutenant.

"Please, bring him in," she said in a calm and caring tone.

"Yes, Your Highness," he answered. "But first, may I ask that you don't press him too hard? It's both my opinion and that of his attending doctor that he doesn't go through any undo stress." Celestia nodded her head.

"We will proceed with the utmost care," she answered.

"Thank you," he answered. The guard balled his right roof into a fist and placed it on his chest before bowing again. Then he retreated back towards the large doors leading to the throne room. When he disappeared, Celestia let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. This meeting had taken several turns she hadn't been expecting and she hadn't even met with the subject of it yet. She looked over to Twilight Sparkle with sorrow in her eyes. The poor filly had come into this meeting wholly ignorant of any of the details, and saw the darkest parts of ponykind laid bare. Perhaps she wasn't ready for this. She didn't have much time to lament as the doors opened once again and Stalwart returned with Remiel.

Celestia had to admit, he was a strange looking creature. While he seemed to be built like a normal pony, his body had no fur save for the brown mane atop his head, and his ears were shaped strangely. He also had a slight limp to his gait, leaning heavily on a wooden cane to support himself. Stalwart stood close by just in case he had to catch the poor dear. Celestia had to admit that just by looking at Remiel she saw what Stalwart had. While she had never seen a human before, she would have to say he looked no older than Twilight Sparkle, and he did appear to be little more than skin and bones. He hardly looked like a cold-blooded killer.

Once they had gotten close enough, Remiel put more weight on his cane and slowly lowered himself to one knee before bowing as low as he could before the three princesses. It was difficult to see him struggle in a position that obviously caused him discomfort.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesties," he said in a soft, but refined tone. His voice was not quite as deep as a stallion's, but rather somewhat musical. "My name is Remiel Samael Blaz."

"Please, Mr. Blaz, rise," Celestia said, taking the initiative. Remiel seemed to use all of the strength in his arms and legs to get himself back on his feet his legs wobbling somewhat. How he struggled to get back on his feet was a very strong argument for just how weak he was right now. Celestia's felt her heart breaking for him anew, and had to fight to keep them subdued. "Would you be more comfortable if we got something for you to sit in?" Remiel smiled warmly but shook his head.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty," he replied kindly, "but I can stand." The way his legs trembled every so often begged to differ. Celestia nodded.

"Now, I believe you were told the reason you were brought here?" Remiel didn't respond right away, but Celestia could see a subtle trembling washing over his body.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty," he said, his confident tone from moments ago gone. "I-It's because...because I." His tremors escalated to full on shakes and his sapphire eyes lost all light within them. "I-I-I k-killed him." Though they had all already known this, the sentence gave them a renewed sense of horror. Not because of how heinous the act was, but because how it appeared to be tearing this young colt apart. Stalwart placed a comforting hoof on Remiel's shoulder. The small gesture seemed to help ease Remiel's panic, but it failed to dispel his shaking entirely.

"Yes," Celestia told him, doing her best to betray none of her overpowering emotions, "that is a part of it."

"I," Remiel started before stopping and taking a deep breath. "I accept any punishment you deem fitting." A stunned silence washed over the entire room, even Celestia's jaw dropped slightly from shock. He couldn't possibly have said what she thought he said.

"Why do you deserve to be punished?" she asked, barely recovering her composure. Remiel's shaking returned with a vengeance and he looked down to his free hoof.

"I killed someone," he said softly, barely above a whisper. "I...I took a life." His chest began rising and falling rapidly. This didn't go unnoticed by Celestia and she was quick to get his attention. She had to keep him talking if she was going to get any answers out of him.

"Yes," Celestia said, gaining his attention. "However, we have heard that it was done out of self defense. Is this true?"

"I, I guess," Remiel said beginning to look and sound distressed. His eyes didn't stay focused on any one thing, frantically looking this way and that. It was as if they were searching for the answer. "I, I don't know."

"Then perhaps you should start at the beginning." Remiel nodded his head and began his tale of how he came to be here. He told them about Heavy Axe and his family. About the kindness they showed him, a complete stranger. Celestia remembered Heavy Axe fondly. He was an excellent guard who almost became her captain until his wife gave birth to their son and he retired to be closer to them. It was he who brought news to her about Remiel and bandits. He then told them about the bandits attacking the small family and his abduction. He then told them about waking up in the bandits' hideout and being beaten the first time, then being drug to meet their leader. It seemed the stallion sought to sell him as some kind of curiosity.

He then told them about the six ponies that had helped and tried to care for him. About how they had been tricked into their service and had to stay out of fear for their lives. Celestia's disgust of Crimson Sky grew with every minute Remiel spoke, but so did her amazement of Remiel. He begged and pleaded that those six ponies be shown mercy, that he would be willing to take on their punishments himself. Finally, he came to tell them of the events of that horrific night, how he was led to Crimson Sky's study and the stallion pulled a knife on him. What she failed to notice was his increasingly distraught demeanor. How his body was shaking, his words coming faster, his eyes dilating in horror.

Celestia realized all too late that he was beginning to have a panic attack as his words poured forth like a flood. "I-I can still see him, you know? How, how empty his eyes were, and the blood!"

"Mr. Blaz," Celestia interrupted, trying to cut him off before his panic grew even worse, "you must calm down." Unfortunately, he seemed so far gone into his own horror that he didn't hear her.

"Powers that be," he gasped, "there was so much blood! It was everywhere! I, I tried to wipe it off but, but it wouldn't come off! I-I-I-I didn't even realize that I had done it! One second he was on me, then-the knife and his eyes and the blood!" His hyperventilating and ranting stopped only when he began coughing and wheezing. Suddenly, it was as if what little energy was keeping him standing vanished. He dropped the cane and began to fall, boss body shaking violently. For Celestia, it was as if the entire world had frozen, save for Remiel and his fall. Suddenly Stalwart leapt into action, catching Remiel and then gently lowering him to the floor. The lieutenant's action shattered the illusion and Celestia moved as well, quickly crossing the distance between them and kneeling to check on him.She was mortified when she saw his hooves, glistening with fresh blood.

Remiel's body was curled into a fetal position, his hooves covering his mouth, but not even both together could stem the flow of crimson liquid pouring from his lips. Uncertainty washed over her. What did she do now? Without further hesitation, she turned towards the line of guards on the right side of the throne room.

"Send for his doctor, and bring a chair!" she bellowed. The guards leapt into action and began racing to fulfill their orders. She placed her hoof on Remiel's shoulder and began channeling her magic. She had to do something, perhaps her magic could heal this young stallion or at least ease his suffering. Just as she prepared to cast the spell, his coughing ceased, leaving him lying on the carpet, his breathing harsh and ragged. Celestia immediately canceled the spell, and resolved to merely comfort him. His eyes weakly began to open and locked with Celestia's for a moment. Then horror filled those sapphire eyes.

"I'm so sorry!" he gasped and tried to crawl away. "I, I didn't mean to." His words were cut off as he began to cough again. Celestia grabbed the colt with both of her hooves to hold him still.

"Don't move, just rest," she said in a soothing, motherly voice. Seeing him so hurt  and afraid caused her heart to break all over again. How could she have even considered the that he was a murderer?

"I-I'm sorry," he repeated, looking like a foal that knew they had done something bad. Celestia shook her head.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," she said warmly. She looked up to Stalwart. "Would you please get us some wet towels, Stalwart?"

"At once," he said and raced out of the room. She turned back to Remiel and saw shame written all over his face. The poor thing, he had been through so much. Remiel's coughing subsided finally, but not before coating his hands in another layer of blood. Celestia did her best to comfort him with her presence when she heard another set of hoofsteps approach. She looked up and saw her dear sister kneel to comfort him as well.

"Perhaps we should have allowed him more time to recover, sister," the lunar princess said in a sullen tone. Celestia felt horrible. Not only had she failed Twilight Sparkle by not telling her everything prior, but she had failed Remiel as well by pushing him too hard too soon. This was turning into a day of horror and shortcomings.

"I know," Celestia responded, just as sullen. She heard more hoofsteps approaching and saw Twilight standing there, horror and concern written all over her face. She looked from her dear pupil back to Remiel, and felt absolutely horrid. "Twilight," the Princess of Friendship jumped when she heard her name, "would you please see to it that a room is readied for Mr. Blaz?" It hurt to order the filly to do something so mundane when it was beneath her new station, but she had to get the filly's mind off of and away from this somehow.

"Y-Yes, of course!" she answered. And with one last look at Remiel, she hurried away to do just that. Celestia looked back down at the human colt, his face still downtrodden, covered with shame and fear. Yet exhaustion was also etched into his features, and his eyes slowly began to close. Soon he fell into a into a deep slumber. Watching the human colt slumber brought a soft smile to Celestia's face and she reached out with her hoof to softly stroke his head, not unlike how a mother would to comfort her foal. Suddenly she realized what she was doing and quickly retracted her hoof, shocked at what she had done. She looked to her sister and saw that she, too, was shocked.

"Sister, what was that?" Luna asked. Celestia was unsure how to answer. She looked back down at Remiel and gave the only answer she could think of.

"Seeing him like this after all he's been through, it hurts," she answered. "I've always acted like a mother figure to our little ponies, and to see them suffer so only makes me want to hold on to them even tighter." She could feel a tear run down her cheek. "Even though he isn't one of our ponies, he has still suffered at their hooves alongside them. It's bringing it these feelings as well, and after I had thought such horrid things about him." Celestia felt a warm hoof touch her shoulder, gripping it tightly in support.

"It's alright, dear sister," Luna consoled. "I may not have been there for our subjects as I should have, but these feelings weigh heavily on new as well. For now, we must simply watch over Remiel and do our best to aid in his recovery." Celestia nodded her head in agreement with her sister's sagely advice. The sound of running hoofsteps broke their moment and Celestia turned to see the guards returning with a chair for Remiel. Celestia shook the debilitating emotions from her mind and rose to her full height.

"Forgive me, but the chair is no longer required," she told them. "However, I have sent for a room to be prepared for our guest, would you please see to it that he is taken there so that he may rest?" The guards quickly set down the chair and raced over to the prone colt. With the utmost care and complete disregard for the blood, they lifted Remiel onto one of the guard's back and carefully made their way towards to guest quarters. Celestia watched them go them turned to her sister once more. "Now, dear sister, we have much to discuss." Luna gave her a slightly confused look.

"What do you mean, sister?" she asked. "Have we not heard and seen all we need to? The human, Remiel, did what he must in order to defend himself. And he hardly looks or acts like a cold-blooded murderer. What is there to discuss? We should be signing the papers for his pardon or preparing an award ceremony for ridding Equestria of that monster." Celestia frowned slightly. Yes, Remiel had rid Equestria of an evil, but she still could not condone the killing of somepony just because they were a vile criminal.

"His six companions will be arriving in the morning by sky chariot," Celestia said. "We shall wait until we have all the facts we can get." Remiel may have her sympathy, but she would not allow her judgement to be swayed by emotion. Luna shook her head

"If you insist, sister," Luna replied. "Though I doubt we will hear any differently."

"Don't be so sure, sister," Celestia replied. "There was a member of the Royal Guard undercover in Crimson Sky's manor." Luna's eyes went wide.

"Then why did it take so long for you to send guards to deal with him?" she demanded.

"We lost contact with them immediately after they infiltrated his operation," Celestia answered. "Until we had word that Remiel had been taken by bandits, we didn't have an excuse to send a detachment of guards to try and make contact."

"But you didn't just send a small party, you sent a whole company of them." Celestia nodded her head.

"I was not going to allow the abductions to go on any longer. They were to find evidence and then advance, or advance and find it later." Luna seemed troubled, but nodded her head in understanding.

"Has your 'spy' reported anything yet?" Celestia shook her head.

"For some reason they have chosen to remain undercover," she answered. Luna looked confused.

"Why would they do that?" she asked.

"I don't know, but they were on the list of six ponies Remiel claimed to have helped him." Luna donned a thoughtful look.

"Very well, but I still believe it will be a waste of time," Luna replied.

----In Another Part Of The Castle----

Stalwart looked both directions, ensuring nopony was following him as he quickly ducked into an unused storage closet. Once inside, he reached into the small pouch at his waist and pulled out a small blue crystal. Following the instructions he had been given, he poked his finger with a needle before drawing a strange rune upon the crystal. Nothing happened for a moment, and he wondered if he had done it wrong. Then it began to glow with a soft light and a voice came from it.

"Have you completed your task?" the voice asked.

"Yes," he answered. "The princesses seem to have taken pity on him and are likely to pardon him."

"Well done," the voice told him. "Once the pardon has been secured your brother's debts will be erased." Stalwart frowned. He had betrayed his princesses' trust, dishonored his uniform. But he had no other choice. He had to do it. He had to save his little brother.

"Just what have I released into Equestria?"

"Do not concern yourself with that," the voice replied, sounding amused. He wished he could, but he had to know something.

"Was it really self-defense, or was it," he couldn't bring himself to finish it. The voice was silent for a moment.

"Put your mind at ease," the voice told him. "What Remiel did, he did to survive. Now, keep this crystal and inform me of any changes. Remember, your younger brother belongs to me until Remiel's pardon has been signed, and that we will be watching." With that the glowing ceased, and the crystal returned to a lifeless rock. For a moment he just stood there, staring at the rock that felt more like chains.

What he did, he did to survive. The words just repeated over and over in his head. That sounded a lot like self-defense, but was it? Stalwart got the feeling it wasn't. He was torn. Remiel seemed a decent enough colt, but there was no denying that there was something off about him. Then there was the visitor he had waiting for him in his room just last night. He had claimed that his and Bulwark's younger brother had amassed a large gambling debt. They had paid that debt, but now they were owed that large amount of money. However, if Bulwark and Stalwart did something for them, their brother's debt would be forgiven and nothing...unfortunate would have to happen.

He tucked the small crystal away in the pouch and left the small closet. He would save his younger brother, but he would also find a way to watch over Remiel. To either protect him from whomever was on the other end of that crystal, or protect Equestria from him.