The King of Crystallum

Power was everything.

The mare that had fled the burning fields of Bayard was not the same pony that stood beside the princess now. Posey was already moving before even her keenest knight’s commanders knew what was happening.

The shivering soldiers had a scarce moment to ready themselves, to instinctively hold fast as they were struck by the vicious freezing air.

Posey shouted over the roaring cloud-ship, her voice echoing in the soldier's armets. The knight’s commanders sounded off as best as they could, bringing their commands into formation around the Blessed Sisters.

The Grand Master turned her fierce eyes upon the cloud-ship. ‘Spears at the front. Load the hoof-cannons and sound off.’

The soldiers were already getting into position, readying their weapons. Posey’s tabard, worn in honor of her Order’s service to the Crown, flailed helplessly from the icy winds produced by the cloud-ship.

‘Hold position,’ she warned those that were still shivering, ‘and await my orders.’

‘Peace, Posey,’ Haizum approached, his own robes barely fighting against the dying winds. In times past, the merest suggestion of an Imperial presence had been enough to bring the whole of the Arab armies together in defense. He’d scarcely ever seen an Imperial, nor had he ever relished the many times their infamous cloud-ships tested the borders between their homelands. Seeing it now, was a bitter sort of irony.

As they faced the vessel, even Posey was wide-eyed in the sight of the cloud-ship. The Grand Master kept a hoof near the handle of her lance, defying the ship to take any actions against Her Majesties. In the voice of a warrior on the march to battle, she warned ‘Scouts did not report any vessels.’

‘Haizum.’ Luna lowered her voice, softening it to almost a whisper. ‘Did you know about this?’

Haizum gave a brittle smile, unseen to all but Luna. This was not what he had expected. ‘I suspected this might happen. Though I was uncertain,’ he said.

The court wizard, Starswirl the Bearded, shook his head. ‘You were uncertain, Haizum. Do not tell us you did not know about this behemoth. You Arabs know the Empire better than all of us.’

The less disciplined soldiers were shaking, the ends of their hoof-blades clicking against the stonework beneath them. Posey rested her gaze on them, causing a few to force themselves still.

‘Hold position,’ she said.

A few in the back of the formation whispered shakily. ‘Do you think- ‘

‘If you speak,’ Posey turned to look back at the cloud-ship, ‘I will have your marks.’

‘Posey,’ Haizum spoke more firmly. ‘Keep order among your troops. The Imperials have taken a great risk coming here. Bear that in mind.’

‘Haizum is right,’ Celestia said. ‘We cannot risk the opportunity. We will ignore their dramatic entry for now. We have greater things to worry about.’

Luna sighed. ‘Queen Ceryneia will want an explanation sister. I can’t imagine the deer-folk ignoring an Imperial presence so close to Thicket.’

Celestia turned towards Luna with an amused look.

‘Did you think they would suspect nothing? If you believe they would have allowed us to conduct this meeting without their blessing, you are misleading yourself.’

Luna was wide-eyed by her sister’s words. ‘That was incautious, Celestia. Explain yourself.’

‘The Everfree is just as much their eyes and ears as it is their shield.’ Celestia risked her sister's temper. ‘Thicket would have learned about your conspiracy eventually, so I vouched for you.’

Luna released a breath. ‘I wish you would have told me.’

‘We can argue about it later.’ Celestia cast her eyes to the cloud-ship. The vessel’s emblem, an encircled snowflake, stared back at them, hissing icily as it split apart.

The Princess watched the vessel open.  A mare emerged, along with two others who followed behind her. Their long axes sent cracked echoes across as the steel ends met the stone.

The mare was a slender, youthful figure. She appeared unseasoned, even in her mail and lamellar. Posey saw none of the anxiety when she approached: she saw only the frightening emptiness in her eyes and the brutal intelligence of a marshal ready for command.

‘Your Highness,’ she began, her bow courteous bit stiff.

‘This is quite the entrance. We had prepared an escort for your arrival.’

Celestia held back as she spoke to the mare, but it was still harsh enough to make the Imperial consider her words.

‘Your escorts will be bringing our merchant vessels safely to your realm. His Majesty hopes to extend his gratitude, with fine goods from the Capital.’

‘That does not explain this ship, or why you felt it necessary to hide it from us. You violate my confidence in this arrangement with such an act’

The mare would not be baited. Her reply was solemn, though not completely devoid of malice. ‘My duty is to protect His Majesty. I shoulder the blame for this unpleasantness.’

‘Sister,’ Luna placed a hoof on her sister’s shoulder. ‘Let’s move past this. We gathered here to foster trust and understanding.’ Luna gestured to the blue-maned Imperial. Intentionally or not, the movement was threatening when made by the Alicorn. Celestia felt some pride for her sister. She had gotten much better at this.

Luna took the lead now, though she made herself appear reluctant. Her blue-green eyes flickered with unhidden kindness.

‘Sister,’ she said tenderly, ‘tell your troops to stand down.’

Luna approached the Imperial and turned back briefly to watch Posey give the order.

‘Might I have your name?’ she asked.

‘Firefly, your Highness,’ she intoned. ‘My name is Firefly.’

‘Thank you, Lady Firefly. I am Luna, Emira of Safanad and Princess of Equestria,’ she gestured to the cloud-ship. ‘On behalf of my subjects, welcome to Equestria.’