May the stars watch over you
“We’ve finished scouting the designated area your highness; They seem to have gone to sleep.” Celestia looked at the castle in the distance; a block of silvery stone in the distance, seeming to gleam in the twilight rays given off by the sun behind it. A seemingly endless expanse of grass and rolling green fields stretched out in front of her; like a sea of plants. The Everfree forest was to her back. After several weeks of traveling through it she was glad to be out in the open again, away from the untold mysteries that lie inside. To the east lay a river, winding through the country side and though it was several miles away she could hear a waterfall that wasn’t visible. She turned her head to face the guard who had spoken to her: “Thank you captain Inform Luna’s guard to take over the shift and you and those under your command may retire to your tents.
“As you wish princess.” Celestia could hear the guard turn and trot back to the camp lain about half a mile in the Everfree forest. For the past three days the princesses had kept a careful watch in the civilization they had stumbled upon. They seemed barbaric and incapable of even a coherent thought. Save for those in command. The land however, was perfect for her needs. It was fertile with plenty of space for growing and raising an empire. These creatures apparently didn’t understand how well off they were here and wile it pained Celestia she had no choice but to take this land. Her subjects were tired from traveling for so long and she needed a place to settle and build her empire.
The creatures in question were not like any pony she had ever seen. Their fur had a metallic look to it that gleamed in the sunlight. It may have been pretty if not for the sharp jagged teeth and oddly curved hooves that seemed to have no other purpose then for tearing things. Had they been an intelligent race, Celestia wouldn’t have even considered invading this land but she was sure her subject’s superior wit would be enough to overrun them.
“Sister are you sure this is the best thing we can do? You know we are a peaceful race and bloodlust has no place among us.” Luna approached from behind Celestia concern evident in her face. Her mane looked like a galaxy with stars swirling around with her every movement. Her midnight blue fur made her nearly invisible in the darkness of the quickly approaching night.
“No Luna I am not. All I know is I need to find a place for our people to build their homes and there’s no telling when we will come past a chance like this again. Believe me I don’t want bloodshed. I would try to come to a peaceful solution with their leader but based on the actions of their civilians I don’t think peace will last if we live together.
“This doesn’t settle right with me. Are we truly to enter another’s land and just take it like this?”
“What would you suggest I do Luna? Please if you have another solution let me know, battle is the last thing I want but I see no other choice.” Luna was silent for a time, watching the lights in the windows of the distant buildings. Celestia is right, this may not be the best course of action, but it was the only obvious one. And after a week of sitting on the boarder no other options appeared.
“If we could just wait another few days I’m sure-“
“We can’t Luna we’ve waited too long and were running out of food.” Celestia stood and began walking back to the forest. “Were attacking at dawn.” Then the plants rustled and Celestia was hidden from view as she slipped back to the camp.
Luna stayed there for some time longer. The sun having fully set and the stars shone with all their brilliance. The moon light the land nearly enough to cast shadows from what few trees stuck up in the open field. She lifted her hoof and cupped one of the millions of stars in it; studying it. Though it wasn’t actually in her hand she liked to pretend they were within arms reach. The star twinkled like all the rest, a light blue light emitted within a millimeter of space. One star in the night sky that seemed to hold no significance of its own but among the vastness of the night sky they all lit the night in a beautiful array of constellations that Luna never grew tired of. She only wished other ponies would stay up with her to share the beauty the night had to offer.
A soft wind picked up; the blades of grass seemed to begin to dance, slowly swaying back and forth. Luna took a deep breath, smelling the air. She smelled early spring flowers, the last of winter having left a week ago and a slight chill shook her body. She listened to the crickets and frogs that sang their night lullaby to the creatures of the day.
******
Celestia slowly opened her eyes, sunlight already pouring in through the flap of her tent like water through a crack in stone; leaving only a sliver of light that lay over her torso. She could feel the warmth of it, Inviting and relaxing. She wanted to enjoy it, to go back to sleep, but she couldn’t; there was work to do.
Celestia got up; magiced her mane into place; and walked outside. It was still early. The sun was over the horizon but not very high. The two guards stationed outside her tent took their places at Celestia’s side as had become routine for them. She walked to the center of there little makeshift town where the largest tent was placed for them to conduct meetings. When she walked inside she was greeted by her high ranking officers and sister Princess Luna. They were gathered around a table with a map pinned to it. It was a roughly and hastily made sketch of the cities and countryside of what lie ahead.
“Princess, I have spoken with the other captains and we believe we should take each city one by one. Effectively crippling the opposition by the time we reach the capital” Said the officer to her left. His mane was a royal blue and his fur was white like most of the royal guard.
Celestia mulled over the pony’s words for a moment. Thinking of the best course of action.