Chapters The Knight and Princess of the Sun
Prologue
Once, long, long ago, there was nothing but a crushing darkness. Eternal felldrakes ruled over the skies and land. Twisted Archtrees, where they made their homes, dotted the landscape. Nothing changed, for the dragons always kept the status quo. Their hardened scales, as thick as the greatest fireforged steel, were the source of immortality. That is, until one day. The first humans, feeble creatures of the lonely dark, found the First Flame. This granted some, who would become the Lords, godlike powers. They overthrew the great dragons with the aid of one of their own, a traitor who was known as Seath the Scaless. And thus, from the ashes of the Age of Ancients, arose the Age of Fire, the age of the gods.
The sound of weay grunts of effort and the clashing and slashing of steel echoed through the air.One was a shining blade, wielded by a human male, clad fireforged chainmail, a torn and weathered off-white tunic, with a yellow orb, with reddish-orange rays emanating from the center, with a winged helm. His skyforged blade whistled through the air. He was Solaire of Astora, devoted Knight of the Warriors of Sunlight coven, adherent to Gwyn. Rumors persisted that he was the forgotten son of Gywne, a lord of war, stricken from the records by his own father. Was he? Solaire did not know, though he prayed it would prove true. He had longed to seek the sun, and if he was this lost god, it would make sense. He parried another blow from that armor clad foe, the one claimed to be the Chosen Undead. It was he that had rung the Bells of Awakening, and had slain his dear Lord Gwyne. He had considered this Undead an ally, perhaps even a friend. And for his kinship and aid, he had been paid back with the death of his beloved god, and Gwynevere, the Fair Lady who may be his sister, and if not, the cherised daughter of his Lord of Sunlight.
"Stay your blade, pilgriam of the Asylum, and I shall make this quick!" Solaire pleaded, slashing at the right pauldron of the Undead, his blade biting through the tempered steel, and into the reinforced blue leather claok beneath. The Undead growled, and through sheer will, grasped the holy blade with an armored hand, and forcibly yanked it out, temporarily stunning the Knight of Sunlight. "I do not wish-Urk!" Solaire gasped in surprise, and looked down. "T-to strike you down in pain." He muttered. The Dragonslayer Spear, of which the Undead had liberated from when he had slain the fierce captain of Gywn's Four Knights, Dragonslayer Ornstein, had pierced his chest, the tip, arcing with mystic lightning, jutting from his back. "Farewell, may we meet again." He smiled sadly, as the legendary spear was retrieved from his chest. As his body fell, he felt it disintegrating into the ether, to be reborn anew at a sacred bonfire.
An unknown time later....
Solaire groaned, opening his eyes. His armor clanked and grinded together as he stood up. A pile of timber, with a blaze burning in the center, was his only light. He looked around him. He was in some sort of cavernous structure, with crystals jutting from the walls. Some were small, like ones you would find on a ring or amulet, while others were as tall as he was, if not taller. They resonated with a sorcery unknown to the Knight. He rubbed his helmet covered chin, "Hmm, reminds me of Seath and his accursed laboratory." He thought aloud, his voice echoing across the caves. He began looking for a way out, rarely one to be out of the sun's loving glow for too long. These crystalinne lights were an inferior substitute. He glanced down, and noticed indentions in the ground. "Hooves?" He cocked his head, kneeling to get a better look. "Or no?" He muttered. They had the shape of hooves, but they were much smaller than the gallant horses he had seen and ridden in his days. "Perhaps some foul beast to hunt?" He said eagerly, straightening up. He felt for his sword, smiling as he found it in its rightful place, sheathed in his trusty scabbard. "Good, good." He followed the tracks, his boots clanking against the cold, uneven stone floor. Solaire's eyes widened when he saw a glorious light at the end of the tunnel. "My magnificent, incandescent beauty, canst it be you?" He asked, awestruck. He strode forward, exiting the cave.
He found himself overlooking a magnificent city. Towering spires rose from places, towers that scraped the heavens. A fine castle, with banners billowing in the wind was at the end. The city appeared to be held fast to the mountainside by a series of large, metal supports, anchoring into the ancient stone. Alongside the supports, there were several rivets tha glowed in a multitude of colors. "A mixture of the metal of a forge and sorcery?" Solaire asked, but that wasn't the only thing that caught his attention. Focusing his gaze, he noticed, milling about the town, were not the humans he counted himself apart of. No, what he saw were equines, smaller than most, in a multitude of colors. Some wore clothing, while others forgoed it entirely. "How odd? Perhaps I am in some unknown part of the Painted World? Or has Lady Gwynevere placed my soul in a world yet untouched by the Dark of the forboding Abyss?" Solaire wondered. That was when he felt a presence he had felt frequently in his early life. A soothing warmth, like that of the radiant sun that hung above. Turning his head, he noticed it came from one of the palace towers.
"Lady Gwynevere, have you come to this new realm?" Solaire wondered aloud, as he began to make his descent from the rocky outcropping he found himself upon, and down to the cobblestone and grass ground beneath.
Solaire groaned, as his boots scraped against the slope as he neared the gorund. He calculated the distance, then pushed off. Tucking his head into his arms, he deftly rolled into a crouch. "That was harder than I hath expected the task to be." He stretched, and dusted his mail off. Cracking his neck, he carefully strode into the town. The ponies, for they resembled such to the Knight, stared, a few cocking their heads, though none seemed to be too surprised at an armored bipedal being. "Methinks they hath seen others of my form before." Solaire said to himself, his breath exiting through tiny slits in the mouth area of his shining helmet. A few of the ponies, one with wings, and two without, stepped aside as he made their way toward them. He turned to one of the wingless ones, "Fair equine, doth thou knowest where I am?" He asked politely.
The Pegasus, a noblemare by the name of Jet Stream, smiled. Too few did she encounter such polite individuals, no matter their species. She cleared her throat. Her waxed grey coat glistened in the early morning light. "Yes, good sir," A small smile graced her face, "You are in the nation of Equestria, ruled by Princess Luna, Princess of the Moon, and Princess Celestia, Princess of the Sun-" She was cut off by the human staring intently at her through his gleaming helmet.
"Did thou say Princess of the Sun?" Solaire asked, his breath catching in his throat. He bent to one knee, so he was moreso on eye level with her. If he had still been standing, she would have come up to his hip, well, alright, a tiny bit higher. The mare nodded, quirking an eyebrow. He continued. "Where mayest I find this solar maiden?" The mare turned her head, and pointed to the palace. "Thank thee." He hugged her, then stood up. Nodding in thanks, he turned and set off. Jet swooned at his touch and gentle voice, while her coltfriend glared at the retreating human, muttering death threats under his breath.
Fair Child of Light Gwynevere, mayhaps you too exist in this realm of tiny equines? Solaire thought, as he neared the gates of Canterlot castle, joy radiating in his noble Astoran heart.
The Knight and Princess of the Sun
1. Meeting a Solar Diarch
Solaire strided forward with a renewed purpose. His reinforced iron boots crunched the cobblestone streets benath his form. Hath my Lady of Sunlight taketh on the form of these dimunative equines? The Knight from Astora thought to himself, his breathing echoing within his helmet. The polished armor gleamed in the light. He stopped in the center of the street, and looked up. That magnificent glowing sphere hung above this world like the gaping eye of an everwatching diety. "May the Sun and the Eterna; Lord Gwyne guide mine path." He muttered a quiet prayer. Lifting his arms in prostration to the sun, he continued onward, calm. He could hear the ponies whispering, he did not find this odd. Even in Astora, and Lordran, his fellow humans had found his worship ceremonies odd. He was a high ranking member of the Warriors of Sunlight, it was obvious he would praise the eternal sun, giver of light, life, and warmth to the world, and symbol of The Lord of Sunlight's prescene in their lives. A wall of smooth stones painted a rich royal purple surrounded the exterior of the castle. A golden gate, shining in the daylight, was placed in the center. Two ponies, one resembeling a hybrid of a horse and a bat, a mare, wearing rather dark looking midnight blue armor, with a coat the color of a tree trunk, and one, a stallion, with a coat the color of fresh blood, wearing golden armor, with a rich blue plume. Solaire sensed the presence of an enchantment on the armor. Tis similar to Bishop Havel's Great Magic Barrier mayhaps? Solaire thought.
The pondering Warrior of Sunlight continued towards the gate. The guards instantly snapped to attention. Their spears, held in their hooves by what Solaire sensed as a thin field of sorcery, had, to his eyes, a faint glimmer of a miracle or sorcery around their tips. "Mayhaps they hath some enchant on them? Perhaps lightning, like the great spear of Dragonslayer Ornstein that hath brought me to this new realm?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. With that in mind, he slid an armored hand to his chest. His fingers brushed against cloth with chainmail woven in, feeling the spot where he had been pierced, and holy lightning arced through his body. The wound was gone, but he felt as if it was still there. He shook his head, Tis' but a mere flesh wound to an Undead. He thought, and continued. The Astoran raised a hand, "Stay thine spears, noble wardens of peace." The two guards lowered their spears lightly, but kept them poised at the human. They did not look too surprised to see a human, which brought further ponderous to Solaire's mind. "In mine land, I am called Solaire of Astora, fair knight of the Warriors of Sunlight." One of the guards whispered something to the other. Solaire could only make out the word "Princess", which brought further joy in his heart. The only Princess of the Sun he knew in his heart of hearts was Lady Gwynevere. Even if he was not her lost brother, the god of war, he was still faithful to her, and to all her kin. "I hath come seeking an audience with thine Princess of the Incandescent Sun." He asked, placing a hand on his chest, as a sign of respect. If circumstances had been different, he would have followed a different path, and joined the noble Princess' Guard, guardians of the kindhearted Princess Gwynevere.
"What business do you have here, human?" The stallion, Fierce Blade asked. He was a fairly new recruit, having only joined up a few months ago. With all that had happened to Equestria, he was always paranoid of individuals who were walking up to the gate. This resulted in an embarassing incident when he had poked the rump of the Princess of Friendship by accident, when he had been startled by the Element of Laughter. He later got latrine duty from her brother, Shining, who was still technically Captain of the Guard. And, unfortunately for Fierce, it had been Burrito Bananza Night at the barracks, he still had nightmares of the bathrooms. He turned when he felt the Night Guard, a cute mare by the name of Wind Glider, gently tap him on the shoulder. True, there was a sort of, often friendly, rivalry between the Day and Night Guards, but that didn't mean he couldn't find some of them attractive. He turned, and opened the gate slowly. It creaked, causing him to grumble. "Gotta oil the gates." He mutteed to himself. He turned to Solaire, nodding, "Alright human, but be warned, if you dare harm Princess-Hey! I wasn't done talking!" He shouted, as Solaire had walked past him. "Bucketwearing Plothead." He muttered at form of the Astoran knight,
As he made his way down the paved path towards the front doors of the palace, Solaire hummed a tune. "Blast that Catarinana knight, his infernaly memorable music. Ah, what was his name? Siegfried? Sieg-, ah yes, Siegmeyer! His songs hath a nice, haunting ring. But, they are but inferior to the great hymns and ballads of Lord Gwyne and his noble Four Knights." He switched to a ballad focusing on the fierce Dragonslayer Ornstein facing off against seventeen accursed dragons, and felling them all by his lonesome. That brought a fire to his heart, and a rich pumping in his blood. He saw two more guards flanking the doors to the palace. "Fair guardsm-I hath mean, fair guardsequines," Solaire mentally had to strike himself. He had to focus that he was not in a realm of humans, but of equines. "I trust that thine good fellows at yonder gate at my back hath told thou of mine business?" The guards nodded, and opened the doors, revealing a well cared for throne room. Pillars of marble supported balconies. The throne was empty, but still two guards were stationed on either side, no doubt to protect the Princess of the Sun against foul assassins.
Solaire saw a winged pony with a mint green coat, shimmering grey eyes, a well combed for black mane, and a groomed mustache and beard hybrid. This stallion wore a red, buttoned down coat with the cuffs colored a deep blue. He had the air of a noble about him. He held up an armored hand, "Good noblestallion, mayhaps I have but a moment of thine time?" The stallion eyed the human up and down, then reached into his coat pocket. Solaire, believing he had a dirk or some other concealable weapon many nobles carried incase of an attack on themselves, placed his hand on the pommel of his Sunlight Sword, ready to cut down the stallion. He placed his armored hand back at his side when the stallion withdrew a pocketwatch. The ticking device had an engraving of a stag rearing up on its hind legs on its lid. The stallion looked at his watch, grumbled, and placed the watch back in its holding place.
The noble sighed, "Very well, sirrah , you may, but be quick." The old noblestallion, Sir Jewel Cutter, was a retired Solar Knight, a knightly order dedicated to Celestia, sister to Luna's Lunar Order. He heard rumors of Cadence and Twilight getting their own orders raised in their names, but he would find out soon. He was rarely rude to individuals, in fact, he was often the life of the party, especially if, in his judgement of Solaire, going by his armor and how he carried himself, were a fellow knight, but he had an appointment with his sister-in-law, something about needing aid with some bandits stealing her sheep. While he was no longer an active Knight, he was treated with the respect a stallion of his station deserved.
Solaire, ignoring the insult, nodded in respect. "I thank thee, good sir. May you knowest where think Solar Princess may be found?" He watched Jewel rub his chin, then instruct that she was located in the dining room. He drew a map in the air with a hoof, which Solaire memorized, his mind's gears ticking. "Thank thee." He smiled beneath his helm. Turning on a heel, he began marching down a doorway on his right, his sword swaying, his Sunlight Shield resting on his back. Jet nodded, and prompty began trotting as fast as he could to find his personal carriage.
The Astoran Knight of Sunlight made his way to the dining room. Unlike a few of the other doors he had passed, this one was unguarded. Now, the warmth and power he had felt before, where it had once been a gentle breeze caressing his cheek, made him feel as if he were bathing in the fires of the Kiln of the First Flame. "Mine Lady of Sunlight." Solaire whispered, exhaling. Placing both hands on the great doors, he grunted, as he pushed. Slowly, the doors began to swing inward. He beheld a radiant, and tall, alabaster mare, with both wings and a horn.. Her mane, flowing in an ethereal breeze, was an array of colors, like an artist's pallete blowing in the wind. A golden sun was emblazoned on either side of her flanks. "Princess Gwynevere, it is I, your humble Knight Solaire, I hath come to serve thee in this new realm! May I honor you in your radiant beauty and glory, milady.." He called out, striding forward into the room. He took little notice of the smaller mare, lavender in color, a pair of wings and a horn attached to her, being embraced by the Princess of the Sun.
Celestia turned, her marefriend in her embrace. Twilight also turned her head to the human. He was unlike any she had encountered, either in the alternate Equestria, or in the other humans that had entered this dimension, whether through some act of fate, or an accident. She cocked her head, "Gwynevere? I believe you are mistaken, sir knight," She made this judgement by his armor, which, aside from coloration, the fact theirs was made of enchanted steel, not cold iron, and they only wore cloth covered hauberks on ceremonial occasions, resembled that of her Solar Knights. "I am Celestia Faustis." She smiled.
Solaire's spirits fell slightly, as he returned his arms to his side. He bowed to the Princess, an arm extended, "My apologies, fair mare. I hath heard of your title as Princess of the Sun, and your very aura of light and warmth reminded me of another." He straigthend up. "I am called, in my homeland of Astora, Solaire. I am a member of the noble band that are calleth the Warriors of Sunlight. We are ever striving to serve our gracious Lord of Sunlight, Gwyne. In mine exodus on this quest, I camest to this world thine subjects name as Equestria." Celestia couldn't help but crack a smile. Perhaps this Solaire would get along well with Luna.
"It's nice to meet you Solaire, I'm Twilight Sparkle" Twilight smiled, then gestured to a chair opposite she and her marefriend. "Please, have a seat." The Astoran glanced at the chair, then to the duo, and slowly took a seat. "How did you end up here?" She asked, pulling over a notepad and quill. She always loved learning of different realties.
"Tis a long story, fairest Twilight." Solaire said, "But I shalt telleth it to you." He cleared his throat, and started. "Long ago, in the distance past, there was nothing, but large trees, known in mine own time as Archtrees, and drakes, immortal and powerful. Their foul scales, like stones fastened to flesh, were impervious to all mortal metals. But, therest came a time, when early man, feeble and timid, found a sacred fire in this dark. From there, four great beings came, finding the Souls of Lords within. The first, was the eternal Gwyne, Lord of Sunlight, who, with the aid of a dragon sorceror, Seath, who betrayed his own, fashioned great miracles, bolts of purest aether, to strike the scales from the drakes, wherest they were smote down by his knights of silver, and his Four Knights. Next, was Nito, a rotten being, who was said to be the First of the Dead, he who unleasheth a sickening miasma on the dragons. The cruel Witch of Izalith, and her daughters, used their blazing pyromancies to whip up raging firestorms, like those of the foulest daemons." His stomach heaved just at the utterance of her name. "Than, there was the Furtive Pgymy, Primordial Man. It is he who foundest the Dark Soul. It is a brand, which many wear, that when they die, they do not do so. They become a corpselike being, known as the Undead. and only through sacrifice Humanity, can they be returned to their form. I hath this curse mineself, for, in my homeland, there is a prophecy that states, "Thou who are Undead, art chosen, in thine exodus from the Undead Asylum, maketh pilgrimidge to the Land of Ancient Lords. When thou ringesth the Bells of Awakening, the Fate of the Undead, thou shalt known." He placed a hand on his chest, "I pray the one who calleth themself Chosen Undead canst fuffill the cause I faileth in." He said, and smiled slightly when Twilight patted his leg, "Thank thee, good Sparkle."
Twilight was at the same time both horrified, and mystified at this information, and hoped there would be a way to end this affliction. She too hoped this, human, this Chosen Undead, could stop the curse. She would hate to be trapped in an endless circle of life and revival. .
"Solaire, since I believe you do not own land or a home in Equestria, and whatever curency you may posses, being the first of your realm here, will not be taken, they you may stay in the castle." Celestia smiled. "We have some empty guest rooms avaliable."
Solaire dropped to one knee, dipping his head, "I thank thee, most generous Princess of the Sun." He stood up, and bowed. Celestia smiled, and called in a guard. The mare rubbed her eyes, bowed before the Princess, and stared at the armored human. She had seen a few humans in her lifetime, but not one in full armor "Yes, Princess Celestia?" She asked.
Celestia smiled, "Please escort Sir Solaire to a guest room, please." She nodded. The guard saluted, and turned to the door. Solaire bowed in respect and thank at Celestia, and followed the guard.
Meanwhile, in a land shrouded in an illusion of sunlight, a frail sorceror, and a dark serpent, spyed at the Knight through a scrying pool.
The Knight and Princess of the Sun
Knight Solaire lay in the comfortable bed he had been given. It wasn't anything too lavish, just some polished spruce wood, with a mattress stuffed with Pegasus feathers, and light blue sheets. His faithful, newly cleaned and shined, Sunlight Sword leaned against the nightstand next to the bed, alongside his shield. Both were within arm's reach, incase something tryed to slay the Astoran Knight while he slumbered. Many had tried to fell him while he was awake, and few had succeded. His trusty helmet was on the stand, for it was, as he had found in Lordran and Astora, very hard to sleep in. This revealed his face, handsome and chiseled, befitting most Astorans, but also, it had numerous small, nearly invisible scars running along it. He did not recall from where he got them, but they marked him as a warrior. His hair, once a dark brown, mahogny in color, was not stained a pale silver, after an incident involving a crystalline beast's blood staining his hair forevermore, was short, and neatly cut. A thin beard, moreso stubble, hugged his chin tightly. His eyes, if they were open, would be as grey as cold iron. A dark, circular brand was carved into his right shoulder, The Dark Sign, the sign of those cursed to be Undead.
He rarely dreamed, and when he did, they were very lucid. This dream found the Knight of Sunlight overlooking a field. His shoulders were more broad, his body more muscular, his stature a fair bit taller than his waking self. He felt the glorious heat of the incandescent sun burning from within his very soul. He felt powerful, his miracles, gifts from the Warriors of Sunlight, passed on from the Firstborn of Gwyne, felt stronger than ever. Looking down, he found himself clad in armor he had never worn. It was primarily iron, or perhaps steel, with a gold coloration. He could feel some elderitch power radiating from it, A crrimson tunic, with a shining gold trim, completed his armor. A blazing sun was emblazoned in the center, glowing. He looked up, a war,crown, made of the finest materials, with shimmering red-tinged crystals embedded in the center in the shape of a stylized sun, lay around his head. Around him, the sounds of combat raged. Men and women in gleaming silver armor, the Silver Knights of Lord Gywn, before they were forever scorched black when Gywn sacrificed himself to keep the First Flame burning, battled against figures clad in armored dark grey robes. In the hands of these robed figures, weapons, glowing with a a faint light, radiated unholy spells. Solaire knew when he was, Heretics had tried to kill the gods, with weapons forged of profane materials, and had failed.
Solaire felt his body move, lifting a great blade. It shone with the light of the sun, and radiated heat as if it had been forged in the sun's eternal heart. In his left hand, he found a talisman clasped in his armored palm. "Forward, mine followers! Strike ath the hearts of these traitorous scoundrels!" Solaire yelled in a deeper, booming voice that was not his own. A symphony of cheers and war cries sounded from behind him. Solaire raised the blade again, and charged at the robed heretics. His blade arced, as flames danced on the honed metal. The screams of his foes were like the sweetest hymns to his ears. A manical grin was plastered on his face, bellowious laughter bursting from twixt his lips. "Through fire and iron, the Age of Fire shall prevail!" Solaire yelled, cleaving the head from a Heretic pyromancer's body. The body fell, twitching, as flames licked it. Out of the corner of Solaire's eyes, he caught a vague glimpse of a midnight blue mare, before she vanished into a murder of crows.
Solaire raised his hand, as a spear of pure sunlight, different from the spears of lightning he utilized, appeared in his hand. "Feel the light of absolution, Darkspawn!" Solaire yelled, hurling the bolt forward, the wind cutting around the tip. Heretics, and a few Silver Knights who were caught in the crossfire, screamed in a mixtue of pain and fear, before they were obliterated, turning into smoldering piles of hot ash, melted and blackened armor, and singed pieces of cloth. The laughter of a bloodthirsty madman came from Solaire, as he turned his head skyward, the sun hanging in the sky like a glowing eye.
Solaire's eyes snapped open, as he slowly sat up. He ran a hand slowly across his face, shaking his head. He turned to the window. His body was bathed in the pale moonlight. He knew it was, as said in the old tales, the symbol of Gwyndoline, the son, raised as a daughter for his practice of the widely thought as feminine lunar magic, of Lord Gwyn. "Lord Gwyn, whats was that dream you senth me? A vision of thou in thine glory during the war with the occult villains? Thine exiled Firstborn, old god of war?" He rubbed his head, which throbbed. "A premonition? A...memory?" He thought. He had vagure recollection of a battle. "Twas impossible, I art a Knight of Astora, mortal-born. I art no god." He muttered, chuckiling to himself. "Perhaps I hath been reading the tales of the ancient days too oft." He ran an armored hand down his face. "The land of dreams shalt sooth mine troubled mind." He grabbed the glass from the nightstand, and downed the water within. Swallowing, he laid back down, his size causing the bed to creak. Exhaling slowly, he closed his eyes, and let his mind wander back to the Dreamscape, where all dreams lie, even those of the dead, be they dead gods, or dead peasants.
The scene had changed. Instead of a battlefield, he was in a magnificent city. Towering buildings of masterly cut stone surrounded him. He was not in armor anymore, well, not full armor anyway. He had on finely crafted boots and gauntlets, but the rest was an exquisite black coat, buttoned neatly, with gold trim, alongside matching pants, with gold trim. A refined, stylized sun-shaped crest was pinned to his right pectoral muscle. A reddish-gold ring adorned his right pointer finger. A reinforced black leather sheath with a gold trim was attached to a belt around his waist. Fine, blood red boots adorned his feet, and a slightly slimmer version of the warcrown he had worn in his first vision adorned his head. An ornate gold pendant with a beautiful jewel, the color of flame and the size of a fist hung from his neck. He was well muscled beneath his attire, a fair bit moreso than his body in the waking world. He was seated on a bench, his blade across his lap, and a cloth in the other. The blade shone in the early morning light.
"Brother, I am surprised to findth thou arisen so early in the morn." A soft, yet still male voice called out. Solaire's ears perked up, as he came face to face with a feminene looking man. His hair, as pale as the moonlight, was long, yet part of it was tied into a small ponytail. A thin mustache graced his upper lip. He wore a dark grey robe with a white trim. The robe covered his feet, though, somehow, Solaire knew white leather boots adorned them. Solaire knew who he was in an instant, Gwyndolin, frail lastborn child of Gwyne and his wife, whose name had been lost to time alongside the annals. A small smirk formed on Gwyndolin's face, his silver eyes held a mixture of curiosity and kindness in them. "Usually thou art asleep till noon, or later. Or with some harlot or that." He chuckled, his laughter like a breeze hitting wind chimes.
Solaire sighed, and sheathed his sword. He lightly slammed his fist into Gwyndolin's shoulder. "Yes brother, tis true." A smirk rivalling that of the covenant leader of the Blades of the Darkmoon appeared on his face. "And thou art asleep with either a scroll or male tween thine ass." He teased. It was a common joke around the Firstborn of Gwyne, and his brave, lionhearted knights, that Gwyndolin was so much more woman than man, that he preferred men to women. That, and the practionier of lunar sorcery loved his tomes so much, when an urge came upon him, he would use a scroll or tome to slate his carnal desires.
Gwyndolin rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Thine jests are as empty as thine brain." He helped his brother off the bench. Solaire nodded, dusting himself off. "Come brother, I believeth that Bishop Havel wisheth to see us. Something pertaining to a dragon sighting." A grin broke out on Solaire's hardened face. Gwyndolin chuckled into a hand, "Ah, I knewth that would get thine attention, always ready to wage war, mine kin. Thou and noble Knight-Captain Ornstein wouldst get along well indeed." It was known throughout Anor Londo that both Dragonslayer Ornstein and the Firstborn were close friends, bonding over one of their favorite pastimes, dragon hunting. The two immortal siblings began making their way to the palace, where Havel was no doubt ministering in the chapel, or polishing his mighty warhammer, crafted from the tooth of the dragon, Dragon Tooth. On the way over, Solaire once more glanced the midnight blue mare, this time in a crowd of passing peddlers.
Solaire once more awoke. "Lord Gwyn, why showeth me memories of thine lost Firstborn?" He thought aloud, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He turned his face to the moon. His mind was ablaze, thoughts tacing through them.
"Art thou wishing, in thine great intelligence, that I findeth him?" Solaire asked the silent moon.
The Knight and Princess of the Sun
3. The Sun meets The Moon
Solaire grumbled, slowly opening his eyes. He blinked, his vision blurry. "Urgh." He muttered, rubbing his eyes with an armored hand, shaking his head. Running a hand through his pale hair, he smoothed in out. The delicate strands curled around the hardened iron of his gauntlet, momentarily catching beteeen the openings between plates, before being quickly freed. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Solaire placed his hand on one of the bedposts, and pushed himself up and out of bed. The matress creaked beneath his armored, human form. He sighed, cracking his back. He smiled slightly, turning to the window. Before him, shining and radiant, hanging in the sky, was the great sun. Exhaling, he stood up straight, and lifted his arms into the air, in a V shape. "O incadencenst, powerful sun, I praise thee, in all thine glory." He stood like that for about five seconds, then lowered his arms. Turning, he quickly strapped his circular Sunlight Shield to his left arm, and his trusty Sunlight Sword was sheathed at his side, the leather lightly smacking against his leg. Finally, he donned his favored helmet, breathing deeply once it was on.
Making sure each was on correctly, Solaire turned to the door. Even though the Astoran Knight was an Undead, he still ate and drank, even though he did not require sustenance like one who was still fully human. He had no humanity with him, nor would he fane to utilize those tiny black sprites, except in the most dire of circumstances. Stretching, he strided towards the door. Grasping the handle, Solaire slowly pulled the door open, and stepped out into the hall. He looked about, finding none were in the halls, aside from himself. Rubbing his helmet covered chin, Solaire stepped out of the room, the door swinging shut behind him. "Hmm, wherest is thine castle's hall of dining?" He wondered. True, he had met Celestia in A dining hall, but he presumed it was her private one. "Mayhaps a servant or noble guardspony mayest know." He thought aloud. With a hunger in his belly, he set off down the corridor, his boots clanking against the finely tiled floor.
After stopping a servant, a Unicorn in his mid-to-late 50's,, the Astoran quickly inquired on where the general dining room was. With a callus covered hoofm and his finely manicured horn, the elder stallion made a map in the air, his horn glowing a lime green. Smoke the same color as his magical glowed appeared, creating a rough sketch in the air between the knight and servant. Solaire nodded, quickly etching the map into his memories. "I thank thee, good stallion, mayest you hath a fine morn." Solaire smiled beneath his helmet, and started on his way towards the main dining hall. If anything could be said of the Knight of Sunlight, aside from his devotion to the sun, was that he was, in his heart, a noble, kind soul in what had been a land filled with darkness and deceit. Now his soul matched the realm he found himself in.
The Knight of Sunlight eventually came upon the dining room doors. They were made out of a sweet smelling wood, and appeared to have been newly polished. The morning sun shined off their surface. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open, and poked his head in.
Sitting at a chair, her hindhooves placed lazily on the table, holding a small beeping device, was the midnight blue Alicorn from his dreams. "Who art thou?" Solaire asked, standing in the doorway. He cracked his neck, his helmet scratching against the chain and cloth of his hauberk. Solaire cautiously took a step forward, his armored hand resting on the pommel of his consecrated Sunlight Sword.
A small smile graced Luna's lips, as her ears perked up. "And here I thought that manner of speech hath been done away with in this present day." She ran a hoof through her ethereal mane. "I am Princess Luna Faustis, Princess of the Moon, Shaper of the Stars, and Guardians of Dreams, as you may know." She chuckled.
So she iseth the one who hath been seen in mine own dreams. Solaire thought to himself. A question then came to the Astoran Knight's mind. He slowly lowered his hand from his weapon. "Shaper of the Stars? Pray tell, what duty dost thou do for this style, fair Princess?" He bowed, one arm extended.
Luna smiled fully now, bading him rise. "It has been quite some time till somepony, or, someone in this case has asked." She stretched, setting her game system down. "You see, the original Alicorn of the Stars, who aided the eternal Maker in creating the first stars, was not all that creative. From what He has told me, it was like the Alicorn of the Stars, Nova, had a computer instead of an organic brain." she chuckled. Solaire had no idea what a computer was, but listened. At Luna's nod, he took a seat across from her. "Now, he gave me the task of arranging the light of these distant stars. True, I made a few constellations here or there, at His request, but the majority of the constellations have been created by astronomers on their own."
Solaire nodded, storing this information within his brain. He folded his hands over the table, the metal bracers around his wrists clanking against the well-polished wood. He raised an eyebrow, which could not be seen through shining iron helmet. "This...Maker, is He your god?" The Warrior of Sunlight asked.
Luna tapped her chin, "In essence, yes. He gave my parents, Laurel Faustis and her husband Solaris their Alicornhood, for their noble work on this planet, and to replace the Alicorns of Time and Light, who had left with the original Alicorns of the Sun, Moon, and some nature ones to parts of reality unknown." She expalined. "He created this world, and goes by other names, given to Him by the old tales, and by the other races. Of course, there are other deities out there. The Griffons have their Lord Roc, creator of their species, the Changelings have Morpheus, and so on, and so on." she rolled a hoof.
Solaire nodded, absorbing this information. He took a few seconds to process it, his breath echoing throughout his helmet, warming it up. "Thank thee for this knowledge, Princess Luna." He nodded. "Art though going to dine?" Solaire asked the lunar princess, looking behind her at the window, where the sun shone brightly in the sky.
Luna chuckled, "Of course." She clapped her hooves, as two chefs, one a hardened ram, and the other a muscular Earth Pony, came out. "Chef Ram Say, Chef Iron Skillet, could you please give both myself and my guest breakfast?" She asked, "Could you send, for me, some Emmental meat ball alfredo, sweet meatballs please, an AB blood and vanilla milkshake, some Neighponese udon, and some vanilla wafers?" She asked, the chefs nodding. They then turned to Solaire.
Solaire thought about what he wished for breakfast, barely noticing what Luna had ordered. "Good cooks, for mine repast, give me but a simple steak, fresh bread, marmalade, and the milk, fresh from a cow." The chefs once more took the orders, and left, their steps in sink. "Thank thee for allowing thy to dine with thine, Princess."
"Think nothing of it, sir knight." Luna smiled, as she teleported her hoofheld gaming device back to her room. "You'll enjoy it, trust me." She winked, leaning back in her seat.
Solaire nodded, sitting up straight. His stomach hungered, and soon he would answer it. Breakfast was about to begin, and he would savor every morsel of food.
Even if it killed him...
The Knight and Princess of the Sun
The Astoran Knight, and Princess of the Moon sat in almost utter silence, as they waited for their meal. Occasionally, the silence would be broken by small bouts of smalltalk between the two, before the silence continued. Solaire gently rapped his calloused fingers against the rich crimson table cloth. His metallic iron armbands clanked lightly against the smooth, polished wood of the table. "So, fair Princess, why, perchance, dost thou slake thine thirst with sanguine blood and the cream of an orchid, and orbs fashioned from the meat of some bovine or hog?" his voice echoed around his helmet. Solaire rarely took off treasured helmet, for not only was it a symbol of his Sunlight Order, but it was, to him, a symbol of his identity. He, who offered such jolly cooperation to an Undead or two, if they just called upon him from this realm or that, with but the aid of his Summoning Sign, and he had given them a white Soapstone, so that they too could offer aid to a fellow Undead.
Luna giggled, her mirthful laughter like soft chimes being blown by a faint summer or spring breeze.Every so often, her curved, freshly brushed fangs would show. She smiled slightly, her mane flowing in an ethereal breeze. "Ah, that is an interesting question, thought not one we, or, I have heard just from you." She stretched, "You see, we equines are able to digest meat, though, in small portions, otherwise one would get a terrible stomach ache. There are those who take the path of a Lycan, and can thus swallow more meat, while my Threstrals, the bat like ponies you may have seen, they eat fish as their main source of meat." She stopped to let the Warrior of Sunlight process the information. When Solaire has gestured for her to continue, she took a sip of the water the staff had left for the duo, and cleared her throat. "As for the milkshake, vanilla is quite delicious, and the blood, I trust you have heard of vamponies?" She smiled, a twinkle in her eyes. Solaire scooted back in his seat, the wood scraping against the floor. In his service to Lord Gwyn, he had met many a vampire, both those that sought the destruction of mortal kind, and those that simply wished to live a peaceful life. A number of the night's children had, albeit begrungingly, joined the Warriors of Sunlight.
"A child of the night, tis' a Princess of the fair night, it fitteth thee well." Solaire chuckled lightly, for both thoughts fit in his head like freshly roasted meat and a pottle of good wine. He cocked his head, the armor rubbing together, as the kitchen door opened. "Ah, yon cooks art bringing forth our hearty meal." The assistant chefs rolled twin steel carts, clattering slightly, with covered platters of silver laid upon the top tray. Already, the scent of the steak, streaked with freshly cracked peppercorn, finely cut by skilled hooves, garnished with parsley, the juices lathering the plate, alongside a mixture of rich hoofmade gravy, and a dollop of butter to finish it. The intoxicating smell of the meat tickled both the knight's belly, and his fair nostrils. Both he and Luna sat back in their chairs, as the chefs laid the platters before them. Steam rose from both the sweet meatballs of Luna's meal, and the tender steak, which has already been examined and elaborated on before, of Solaire's breakfast . The chefs bowed, and both Luna and Solaire nodded politely at the two, who then scampered off.
Solaire watched, lifting up his helmet a little to reveal his chin, fair and chiseled, alongside his pearly teeth. He glanced up at Luna, for in her dark blue magic lifted up her small dining knife, whereas her hooves held her silverware. He was puzzled for it seemed as if the fork and spoon seemed to stick to the hooves, and were used as deftly as if she had fingers, to eat her meal. Luna glanced up, her glimmering eyes meeting the black voids that served as the eyeholes of the fine helmet masking Solaire's noble Astoran face, and stormy grey eyes. "Let me guess, you're wondering how I'm holding utensils, even though I do not possess the digits you do, sir?" Solaire nodded silently, curious for knowledge. Many of his fellow Warriors of Sunlight had, in jest and japes, that his voracious hunger for knowledge rivaled, if not eclipsed that of the albino dragon Seath the Scaleless, betrayer of the Eternal Dragons of ancient times, when the gods fought against these immortal drakes, who had scales of hardest stone, which were peeled away by the spears of purest Sunlight wielded by Gwyn and his glorious Silver Knights, before they were scorched black, and thus became the haunting, imposing Black Knights.
"Yes, I would fain knowest how thou manipulates thine cutlery with no hands to hold them." Solaire said, popping a bit of steak, the savory gravy and juices running down his chin, which he quickly and gentlemanly wiped with a napkin.
Luna smiled, quietly chewing on a meatball, and swallowed. She set the fork, knife, and spoon back on the plate, white porcelain clacking against the silverware. "Hmm, how shall I explain this?" She tapped her chin. "You see, in each pony, alongside the other races, there are traces of innate magic. Everypony shows it in different ways, Earth Ponies, for instance, can grow fresher, healthier, and longer lived crops than even the most skilled Unicorn mage, and even still, there are a number of them who can use the old Earth Pony magics of geomancy and terramancy. Alongside this innate magic, the magic which the Maker has saturated the very land of Equis in, we can generate a sort of...magnetic field, so that we can manipulate items such as doorknobs." Princess Luna explained, using her fork once more to twirl a length of the delicious, buttery alfredo around her form, put the tip of a noddle in her mouth, and slurp into down.
Solaire nodded, he had heard of similar skills and feats being done by convicts who had their hands stricken off at the wrist for thievery. "I thank thee from the depths of mine own humble and knightly heart." he said, bowing his head slightly, in respect. "I too, thank thee for the fine repast thou has given me." His hand deftly pushed aside the empty plate, and used silverware. Not even a scrap of fat, nor a crumb had been left. Likewise, his glass of milk was as bare as a lake which had every drop sucked from it.
Luna shook a hoof, "Think little of it, it was rather pleasant to dine with such a gentlecolt, or, gentleman, as it were." She too, pushed her empty plate and glass away. The draw was lightly covered in the remnants of the blood and vanilla milkshake. The sound of a door opening and hooves clattering on the alabaster tiled floor, as kitchen staff quickly gathered the dining ware, and absconded with them back to the kitchen, Suddenly, Luna's eyes seemed to light up, as she tapped her chin. "Sir knight, art thou from a knightly order devoted to the sun?" At the short, simple answer of a "Yea" from the Astoran, Luna continued, clearing her throat. "I thought so, judging by the stylized suns on your cuirass and shield, Sir Solaire." An idea came to her, "Perhaps my sister Celestia might have some work for you."
Solaire stood up, gently sliding his chair back into place. He bowed in respect, "I thank thee, fair Princess of the Lunar Sphere, I shalt endeavor to find you radiant sibling to-day." He turned on his heel, and made his way out of the kitchen, the door closing behind him.
Luna chuckled, poofed in her hoofheld game system, and continued playing Ponysona 4: Golden.
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..
The Knight and Princess of the Sun
"Art thou surprised to see me, foul Astoran?" Lautrec of Carim, self-proclaimed knight of the Carimian goddess of love, Fina, taunted. He spread his arms slightly, as his twin, curved shotel whirred through the air. Grinning beneath his gilded helmet, the false knight spun his blades about.
"False Knight Lautrec!" Solaire swiftly hefted his shield, readying himself in a battle stance. The tip of his blade was pointed at the armored breast of the Carimian. The gold arms attached to the breastplate seemed to tighten around Lautrec's chest. "Thou who hast slain one of mine own Brothers of Sunlight and taketh from him that blessed medal that the holy Lord Gwyn hath given to us." He gnashed his teeth in anger, as his body seemed to tremor. He turned to face Celestia and Luna, whose horn's were glowing. "Fair Princesses of Equestria, yon naughty villain haileth from mine own realm. I humbly request to be the one that endeth his days, for he hath killed one of mine sworn battle-brothers."
Celestia glanced between Solaire and this stranger clad in stylized gold armor. She sighed, and placed a hoof on her sister's shoulder. In her long life of some four thousand years, back during her early adulthood, which when compared to the age of her parents or the original Alicorns that serve the Maker, would make be equal to a foal, when the Great Winter came. How she and Luna had lost friends and trusted comrades in the fight against the usuper king Kulden Sørge., of the Wendigo nation of Jotunheim, and his brainwashed minions. She shot a knowing glance to Luna, who too sighed, as their horns stopped glowing. "Very well Sir Solaire." She nodded at the Astoran knight.
Solaire nodded, saluting Celestia. "I thank thee fair Princess." He then bowed his head, uttering a short prayer under his breath. "Oh Lord Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight, may Thou giveth me thine favor this day. May mine blessed blade strike good and true through the heart of yonder villain Lautrec. Praise thine incandescent sun." The Astoran ended his prayer be laying a lifting his helmet slightly, enough to reveal his well cared for lips, and laying a gentle kiss on his medallion. He raised his head to face Lautrec.
Lautrec sneered, "Are thou done saying thine final rights Knight Solaire?" Solaire's hand tightly gripping his blade was all the answer he received. ¨Very well then Astoran,¨ The Carimian ¨knight¨ grinned, entering a battle stance. ¨En guarde!¨ He charged forward with an animalistic snarl. His blades whistled through the air, as they were brought to bear.
¨Hng!¨ Solaire brought his shield up. The rounded surface deflected the brunt of the shotel´s damage. Solaire, knowing the usage of the weapon, slammed his shield into Lautrec, staggering the gold armored knight. A surge of joy filled Solaire, as it always did during a fight he knew would be a good one. His eyes reacted first, noticing the second shotel moving towards his chest. He parried with his blade, metal grinding against metal. With a quick movement of the arm, he knocked the left shotel away, huffing. Adrenaline poured through his system. ¨Is that thine best, false knight?¨ Solaire mocked, chuckling. He easily dodged a quick strike of the blade by tilting his head back. Grabbing Lautrec´s head, Solitaire´s armored head slammed into his opponent´s, knocking Solaire back. ¨Lord Gwyn hath blessed me this day Lautrec.¨ He spread his arms out, similar to a provoking gesture he had seen multiple Chosen Undead perform in his time in Lordran.
Lautrec groaned, swiftly getting up. One leg extended, landing a kick into Solaire´s chest, causing the Astoran knight to stagger and stumble backward, though his grip on his trusty blade and shield never faltered. ¨Your false god Gwyn is no match for mine Lady Fina!¨ Lautrec got up, panting, clutching his head with one hand, wobbiling a fair bit. ¨You shall face our wrath!¨ Lautrec leaped over, and retrieved his dropped Shotels. With one, desperate charge, Lautrec lunged at Solaire, his blades slicing through the air with a the fury of a frenzied Armored Tusk.
¨I am the right hand of the Lord of Sunlight,¨ Solaire grit his teeth, his grip tightening on his blade, enough to turn his knuckles ashy white. ¨And the instrument of his vegeance!¨ Waiting until Lautrec was close enough for his wicked stench to penetrate deep into Solaire´s soul, the Astoran knight issued a prayer to Gwyn. Focusing on nothing but the battle before him, he thrust his arm, and his Sunlight Sword, forward. He opened his eyes, and grinned.
¨Gwah, h-hrnk!¨ Lautrec gagged, staring down. Embedded deep in his chest, piercing the arms molded into his cuirass, and jutting out his back, was Solaire´s steel blade. The sword was wet with blood, which dripped onto the red sand. ¨Y-you....¨ He futiley reached forward, but his hand fell limp. With a small groan, the summoned knight slowly vanished into mist, back into his own reality.
Solaire panted, wiping his blade clean. He came back to his senses, finding Celestia and Luna galloping in, a medical team of Earth Ponies and Unicorns trailing behind them. He sheathed his weapons. ¨Fair Princesses that controlleth the celestial bodies, do not be alarmed.¨ He smiled slightly. ¨Beyond but a slight bruise on mine chest, I am unhurt.¨ His gaze fixed on Celestia´s eyes. ¨Hath I performed adequately?¨ He asked.
Celestia smiled, ¨I see you have great combat prowess Solaire. I believe your skills will prove quite useful.¨ She turned, ¨Come on, I believe dinner should be ready soon.¨ Luna and the medical team trotted close behind her.
Smiling brightly, Solaire fixed his hauberk, add followed, whistling a tune.
The trio dinned in relative silence. Said silence was occasionally broken by small chatter between Celestia and Luna. Solaire, knowing not to speak unless spoken to by those of noble stature, remained silent unless either of the Royal Pony Sisters asked his opinion on this or that. Solaire rarely took of his helmet, so he only lifted it up slightly to eat and drink. Ponies, being able to eat small portions of meat (Too much resulted in upset stomachs and bowels), allowed Solaire to have some steak, and a small glass of watered-down wine. Solaire had been taught that, while a servant of Lord Gwyn make drink spirits and alcoholic beverages, they must never do so in excess, for it would cloud the mind, and turn one to impure thoughts and deeds.
Solaire stood up slowly, after the Celestial Diarchs had. Cleaning staff took away their plates and wine glasses. ¨Thank thee for allowing me to dine with thee, fair Princesses.¨ Celestia nodded, as Solaire left.
After carefully polishing his blade with a scrap of cloth, and some of the red sand from the fighting pits, he had been given by the castle blacksmith, he tenderly cleaned his faithful blade. Once that was done, he set it next to his sun shaped shield, placing both by the nightstand. Taking off his helmet, he fixed his pale blonde ponytail, setting his battle worn helmet atop the nightstand.
Stretching out, the Astoran Knight closed his eyes, and shortly thereafter, fell into the land of dreams....
