Ponyville, despite appearances and common belief, was not the safest place in the world. The inhabitants knew this from the sundry creatures who frequently came by but for changelings, it was a nightmare of an assignment. With a frieghtening proximity to Canterlot, citizens who were rather closeknit, and the residence of the Sun Princess' personal student, it was not a place for lesser changelings.
Ironically, the high level of familiarity meant that love was awash in the air and thus was Ponyville a rich harbesting ground. Queen Chrysalis was not so big a fool, however, to leave the town to a yellow-spined changeling, hence why she chose Deornedeather. He was loyal, efficient, and disciplined, having saved several cells from exposure through his presence.
Now his Queen needed him for something else.
His disguise was up when he neared the door to answer it. Ponies knew him as Rustic Rumour, a unicorn university student from Stalliongrad who was on a study trip. Fine caramel fur and a white mane and tail marked hin, with hazel eyes and a cutie mark of the letter "R" in three alphabets, reflecting his 'talent' of deciphering manuscripts. He had arrived six months ago at the Queen's behest to ensure Ponyville's cell was not compromised in anticipation of the upcoming invasion. The invasion, he'd learned, had gone rather poorly and his presence, more than ever, was needed to avoid detection.
"Da?" he asked in a feigned but flawless accent, practiced over many years. "Letter for you, Mr. Rumour!" An energetic red 'pegaus' stood before him; he recognized it instantly as Ærendgewrit, the Queen's personal messenger, in disguise as Wine Cherry, postpony. Ærendgewrit had honestly worked his way into the Equestrian Royal Mail Service and had earned the right to deliver messages across Equestria. The younger changeling's winning charm had contributed to that.
"Vat is't, Mister Cherry?" Deornedeather asked, expectant and impatient of the genuine enthusiasm with which the Changeling took his job. 'Cherry' produced from his sack a small letter, postmarked from Fetlockshire, the nerve center of all changeling mail. 'Rumour' took the offered postage with his teeth and laid it on the table next to the door.
"Good day, Mister Rumour!" 'Cherry' chipperly greeted as he flew speedily away, with mail for changelings and ponies alike. Wasting no time, Deornedeather produced a letter opener from the table drawer and, using his magic, broke the seal and took the document within.
It was marked with a black sun, jagged green rays eminating from it and encircled by a green, flame-like wreath: Queen Chrysalis' royal seal. "A letter from the Queen?" asked the intrigued changeling. "It must be important." He read swiftly, as the letter was curt, as was the Queen's standard.
"Kill this mare."
The accompanying picture was that of a lavender unicron. Deornedeather knew her as the town's librarian: Twilight Sparkle. He had oft seen her in order to borrow books to keep his disguise up. Also, so said changeling passersby, she had been a key part in the dismantling of the Queen's invasion plan. Without further thought, Deornedeather sent a mental message to his subordinates through out the town.
"Deornedeather to all. Report you hear me.
"Þræl here.
"Guþ here."
"Andweorc here."
There was a pause as Deornedeather expected a fourth voice.
"Dryhtguma! Report in now!" A moment's silence passed before he got his impatient,y-awaited reply.
"Dryhtguma here! Sorry, Deornedeather, I was-"
"Silence! I want all of you to meet with me at Sugarcube Corner tomorrow at noon. Furher details will be give. Then. Þrael! Ensure the others get there, especially Dryhtguma."
"As you wish," came the grim reply. With that, Deornedeather cut his link to the others and threw the letter, still in his magical grip, into the fireplace and lit it. A few minutes later, he stepped out into the sunny day with a library card and saddlebags, heading for the library.
