The Knight and Princess of the Sun

The Astoran Warrior of Sunlight strided through the corridors of the castle. He passed by several servants and guards on his way to find the Princess of the Sun. His helmet encased head dipped in a slight nod of acknowledgement, as much as the bucket-like headgear allowed. The guards did the same, while the servants smiled. The radiant sun was visible through the windows, the stainglass ones creating pieces of colored light on the carpet and tile floor of the castle. The loving heat warmed the Astoran knight through his masterforged iron armor and tunic, bringing a soft smile to his face. True, many of his fellow Undead he had come across in his travels had thought him a bit off for his fascination, or obsession as a few had said, with the celestial body that brought light and life to the mortals below, but he always felt connected with the heavenly body.

Solaire stopped for a second, and turned his head. His eyes, which he had been told since his youth would be forever darkened if he stared at the glowing sphere of light, but, for Solaire, unlike his fellows, they never seemed to do so, In fact, if he focused, he could see past the intensely blazing glare. He could see every vibrant, reddish-orange detail of its surface, as small flares of solar light burst forth, and either fell back into its whole, or sped off into the eternal darkness. He let out a sigh of contentment, and remembered his task. He turned his face away from the sun, the red feather bolted onto his helmet swishing through the air. Exhaling, his warm breath heating the metal of his helm, he continued onward, his footfalls muffled slightly by the ruby carpet beneath his armored feet.

As he rounded a corner, he came crotch-to-face with a Unicorn stallion. His blonde mane was well combed, and his only piece of apparel appeared to be a smooth collar-necktie combo. An image of a compass rose was emblazoned on his flanks. The stallion froze, and coughed into his hoof. "Excuse me sir." He said. Solaire nodded, and stepped aside. "Thank you Sir...." He waved a hoof.

"In mine homeland, and now knowst by thy fellow equines, I am calleth Solaire of Astora." Solaire said, placing a hand on his cloth and armor protected breast. He bowed his head slightly, for he could tell by the pristine grooming and air about the stallion that he was in the presence of a noble.

"Thank you Sir Solaire. I am Prince Blueblood, great many times grandnephew of Princess of Celestia." Blueblood smiled slightly, a sense of noble pride in his voice. "Now, if you excuse me, I have an arrangement with my aunt Celestia I must get to." The stallion waddled slightly as he trotted past. Solaire bid Blueblood farewell, and went to find Celestia.

After a few dead ends, and one incident involving a servant, some toilet paper (which Solaire found softer than the coarse, leather-like material back in Lordran and Astora), and a bin of rotten food, Solaire eventually found Celestia. She was in the guard barracks, now alongside Luna. The sound of cheers could be heard from the guards standing or sitting in the circular area. Below them was a mock arena, where guards of both the Night and Day Guards were sparring with one another. Luna and Celestia sensed Solaire's entrance, and turned to face the Astoran knight. "Sir Solaire." Celestia acknowledged with a kind smile.

Solaire bowed to the two celestial body moving diarchs. He raised head his slightly, his piercing blue eyes obscured by the darkened interior of his helmet. ¨Radiant Princess Celestia, she who controlleth the divine sun, thine sister hath giveth me an idea.¨ Celestia gestured for the Astoran to continue. "If you wouldst have me, I shalt endeavor to prove mineself useful in any tasks thou wouldst have of me. In mine homeland of Astora, I pledged mineself to the Princess of Sunlight Gwynevere and her magnificent father, Lord Gwyn, and in fair Equestria, I wouldst serve you."

Celestia smiled, laying a gentle hoof on Solaire's hauberked shoulder. "I can see your resolve and your sense of duty. I accept your service." Solaire beamed beneath his helmet, kissing her hoof gently, or at least placing the area where the mouth would be on his helmet against her gilded slipper clad hoof. She glanced at the guards around and below, who were congratulating a half Earth Pony, Half-Changeling mare, who was coated in sweat and red dust. "If you'd like, perhaps you could spar with my guards. We would enchant any weapons, if need be, so they only harm, but do not kill." She bade the knight to rise.

Solaire got up, one hand instinctively going to his sword pommel. He glanced at the assembled guards, approving of their toned, muscled limbs, something he beljeved every guard should have gained for performing his or her duty to their liege lord. He rubbed his chin for a second, his even breathing could be heard from the depths of his helmet. "I accept thine offer, fair Princess Celestia." Celestia nodded, as Solaire descended a winding set of stairs into the arena. His boots brushed against red sand, as the tips and soles were coated in the shifting substance. A gate on the opposite side slid open as his challengers, a hulking female minotaur wielding a glowing spear and dressed in a padded version of the Day Guard armor, a Bat Pony vampire stallion with his hooves bereft of weaponry, and finally, a battle hardened llama with greying fur, and one blank eye,, a knife in her mouth, with multiple other knives strapped to a belt around her chest. A bell dinged, as the combatants got ready. Solaire withdrew his blade, which was now had a glowing bronze aura surrounding the blade, it hummed.

As the four were about to engage in combat, a sound of rushing air could be heard. Solaire turned, to find a shimmering red and gold tear had appeared, floating in mid air, out stepped a humanoid figure, curved blades in hand. "Hello Solaire." A sinister Carimian voice called. blades and arms moving into a battle ready position..