Sourin always loved visiting the fountain when he was with his family. Often times in his foalhood he’d asked if he could have one.t was always beautiful with the water floating out but he was not big with the nude peasgi mostly due to the fact it’s cock was where the water shot outt Yeah, that he could do without, even if the fountain was where he meet Lady Octavia and now where he intended to meet a mare named Fluttershy.?

While he was cleaning his sword and watching the fountain squirt its water from its statue's cock , occasionally checking the position of the sun and watching as it just grew later and later. ‘

“That does it I’m out of here’ Sourin decided though he wondered if Fluttershy was ok. Maybe if he just went and asked at the palace before he departed? He went up to where the palace, noted that the flag for House Pennas was flying over the parapets, meaning Fancy Pants was currently in residence. Sourin had met Fancy Pant’s brother Lord Magnum and his daughter Rarity a long time ago, during the Tourney of Doctor Whooves. It was there he saw the Ghost Knight’s legendary battle with Big Mac of House Apple. he could only see the knight’s eyes which was purple and silver with a dragon like slit. So Sourin could guess that the Ghost Knight is a dragon or a dragonpony but during that battle he cursed Big Mac to take second place forever.

Their are rumors on who the Ghost Knight was and Sourin could guess that it was Stone Edge, the bastard son of Lord Rock. It must be understandable that he did that because bastards are not allowed to enter Tourneys at all it felt unfair to them and Sourin could never understand that.As Sourin entered the palace, he bumped into somepony, a very familiar somepony. The figure was wearing a cloak of white which meant one of two things: either they were a member of the Kingsguard or.

“ I am sorry my friend I did not see you there” The figure’s voice was soft and curled elegantly around his speaking of the Equestrian tongue. Sourin looked closer and his suspicions were confirmed, it was the one known as the Ghost.“ I am sorry I was in my own little world” Soarin said

“ That's alright we are all in our own world sometimes but my dear friend their is I would ask of you”

Sourin knew what was going to happen, the only reason Ghost would be presentHe wanted to have him kill Fluttershy for being a danger to the realm.

“ If you want me to do what I fear you’re going to ask me to do, then forget it! I already made a vow to her, and I am not one to just go back on my word at the first sign of danger! Well...not any more.””

Soarin knew this was a lie, he had broken many vows over his years as a Wonderbolt, he’d let his honor go from bedding a mare and not protecting his King, and he would go down in history as the worst knight ever, but that was then, this was now! Now when, just maybe he will make it up for Fluttershy.

Ghost slowly shook his head

“ You presume too much. No I am not asking you to kill her, I am asking you to report the news about her and her dealings, comings, goings and even earn her trust” he gave Sourin letters for him to deliver. “ Then maybe we will let you come back to Equestria”

Sourin paused in his stride, Ghost’s words hitting him as graceful as a feather and as sharp as a knife to the heart. He knew the pegasus missed home more than anything, that he wanted to see his own family again, even if they wouldn’t care to they want to see him again after bringing so much dishonor to their name.

“ Fine I will tell you her comings and goings but that does not exclude my previous statement. I will not be your assassin!.”

Ghost smiled “ Of course not, you will just be the one who looks the other way if we send another one in to do the deed...”

Sourin gulped but a quick look from Ghost silenced his tongue.

“ Of course you can choose to follow her and defend her till your dying day if you wish. It just means you’ll never be permitted back on the shores of Equestria again.”

“ I well...” Soarin began, but Ghost had already turned to leave.

“Take a day, think it over.” The enigmatic pony replied before walking out of the palace.

“Ghost” Soarin began again then hung his head. “Dammit but...ngh...the war...and the dragons...I made a vow to her!”

He looked to the letters and was was about to throw them like so much trash, only to still his hoof at the last second. Thinking it over again, he put them in his coat before ascending the steps to Fancy Pants’ Palace

There Fluttershy was with Garble as well as a huge stallion whom Sourin could only imagine was the leader of the Diamondback Company sell swords.

The Diamond Back Company were the most ruthless company in the East. They helped out in the War of the Dragons, on the Dragon’s side, meaning so they were probably glad to help Fluttershy to conquer Equestria. The problem was, as far as Soarin could see, they also lived by a code to follow only the strongest and, that only the strongest could get what they want. Dueling for things such as property, food, a wife, were common among the Diamondback.

Soarin suddenly had a frightful image of Fluttershy being raped by the giant stallion, perhaps a bit of a premature fear, but then again, Soarin could tell much from the eyes of a pony and this Fluttershy had the eyes that could only belong to the most innocent of children. He could tell she was scared, of the world around her, of the stallion in front of her, and of the red dragon behind her.

Soarin felt the letters in his coat growing heavy, and realised this was an oppourtunity to at least get on Fluttershy’s good side.

He went up up to them and gave the Diamondback Leader a challenging look

“What do you want from me foreigner?”

The stallion had a dark brown coat, covered in war paint, red war paint at that. Soarin could guess that was to drive fear into his enemies.

“ I, Soarin challenge you in one-on-one combat for Fluttershy!” He said, then immediately regretted what he’d said. This might quite possibly be the worst decision that he had ever made, to the extent that many might believe he was indulging a death wish. Still but he couldn’t live with himself knowing he’d condemned an innocent to a possible fate worse than death, and the fact that he Garble was laughing at him and Fluttershy was making those begging eyes that screamed ‘ to not fight.’ Yeah, he had to try to make a stand!

The leader laughed as well

“ You know I always wanted to have my sword taste the blood of an Seven Kingdom knight, you knights think you are better than the rest of us with your duty and your honor! I am Lord Red Iron Leader of the Dimaond Back, and I aim to prove you have no honor!.”

Sourin drew his sword “ I do have honor’

“ I guess you are right hmmehhehe I always heard stories about you knights defending the weak and all that but here, we serve the strong! If you beat me that proves you're a little bit stronger than I, a little less worthy of being a servant."

The stallion he drew a large sword that could easily split Sourin in two. It certainly did the job of cutting his confidence in half.

Sourin and Red Iron circled each other like two animals until the latter then came at Sourin with his sword, forcing him to dodge. Despite the fact that the weapon appeared to be a two handed claymore of some kind, Red Iron wielded it like it was a regular one handed weapon. , The stallion then came at him again and again Soarin barely managed to dodge from that swing. He jumped back to then to get some more space between him and his opponent, enough for him to then draw out his dagger and stab Red in the knee on the next lunge. Sourin did not know why he did such a move that he would never do.

Red merely looked down at the wound and kicked Soarin away, apparently not even feeling the gleaming blade lodged in his leg. he is still up even with a dagger in his knee “ A move like that and you claim to be honorable? Ha!” ” He said with a creepy smile, though Soarin noticed he was slowing down. Red knelt and ripped the dagger out of his leg, then, as if to mock his opponent, he threw it back at him. With a quick hoof, Soarin caught the dagger by it’s handle, twirling it around and throwing it at Red. This time it landed in the stallion’s chest, and like before, he seemed to barely notice.

“ Is this all you can do a fly’s bite?” Red asked. He charged Sourin again but this time his speed was clearly hampered. Soarin gripped his blade and dodged once more, while uttering a silent prayer.

“No, I can also do this!” He said while turning to buck the stallion as he passed. Red stumbled as his inertia caused him to upset his balance and he crashed to the ground.

Soarin wasted no time in pinning the equine down by driving his blade through his neck. Red let out several surprised gargles as his blood erupted from the wound, then slowly his body stilled as his titular color slowly spread out around him.

Garble scratches his chin, surprised at this outcome but only a little.

“ So I am guessing you are now going to declare yourself Leader of the Diamond Backs? ” He said, trying not to smirk at the idea of a clueless knight who thought it would be that easy to take over a major organisation of sell swords.

Sourin yanked out his blade and wiped it clean.

“No.” He said.

“No?” Garble asked in confusion.

“ No I am going to give the title to my Lady Fluttershy who I swore my life too.” The pegasus turned to Fluttershy and knelt. “ My lady...I give you this gift with the condition that you hear me out on this one point: do not give your army to your brother-in-law!”

Fluttershy nodded slowly, placing a hoof to her chest. come “ I...I see. Th-Thank you I will never forget what you did Sir Soarin”

Sourin put his arms around her.

“ I vowed to protect you Fluttershy, in both action and word! Please, take the Diamond Backs and see that they agree to serve you the same as I. ”

He let go of her and took a deep breath..

“ I will come with you when we are ready to leave, till then send word if you required my aid on anything else..”

Sourin turned to head to the market, barely missing a query from Garble of ‘Is he for real?’ Presently he came across a zebra covered in bandages

“ I see that she is important to you Sir Sourin of the Seven Kingdoms” Sourin had met many zebra’s before. He knew some were mystical and some were warriors. There were remours they knew everything in the world and were wise beyond imagination.

“ Who are you” He asked.

“ Who am I is not important it’s who is important too you but I see that you well play a very important part in the war too come” she vanishes but says one more thing “ Your answers well be answered when you meet the Warlocks."

Sourin did not know what that was supposed to mean, but then again his mind was clouded by the events of the last few minutes. He wished he knew where there was a tavern, a quick drink would help settle his nerves, and hopefully quell the fear in his gut as to what he was going to do next.

Author's Note

god that toke forever