The Equestrian Event

“It won’t be long now.”

The cardinal ducked his head down as passed a group chattering mares. He waited until he had turned the next block before raising his eyes once again.

Shadows were beginning to fill the streets of Canterlot as the sun began its slow descent into the distant horizon. It was much later than the cardinal had originally thought. He would have to hurry if he intended to properly arrange a meeting with Celestia.

His mind drifted back to the conversation he had with the other members of the church. They would not be pleased if the plans they had so carefully laid out did not proceed accordingly.

More importantly than that, “She” would not be pleased if something were to go awry.

“And if she is not pleased...” the cardinal thought. “Well, it’d be best not to think about such things.”

By “She,” the cardinal was of course referring to none other than the High Priestess. One of the few ponies he had ever feared or respected in all his life. She was the speaker for the holy Shard and leader of their church. Nothing happened without her approval. Her will and the church’s will, were one in the same.

“The red rock called out and we answered its cries,” the cardinal recited under his breath.

The gates of Canterlot Palace were now visible from beneath the pony’s hood. As he gazed up at the highest turret that hung over the cityscape, the cardinal could faintly make out a crew of construction workers who were just finishing their shift.

A single guard held his post in front of the entrance to the palace grounds. Seeing the hooded figure approaching him, the guard stood at attention.

Rather than stop the cardinal, he gave him a quick salute and allowed him to pass without hesitation. The cardinal nodded in return.

“We are the Children of the Shard,” the cardinal thought with a grin.

He shook his head, letting the hood of his cloak fall to his shoulders.

“And we are many.”