Chapter 38: A King’s Lament

Luna studied the home of what would have been her great great grandfoal. The home was simple in design, but it certainly appeared to be something that the lesser nobles would have lived in outside of Canterlot. She could see the fine care that had been taken of the home, and more specifically she could see the influence of Jolie Maison. The walls were similar to the home that Poetic Pen had lived in, and she noticed a few places where there were slight alterations. It was obvious that much like his dear friend’s home there were various hidden passages throughout the walls.

It had been something of a fad of the time to have hidden passages, secret rooms, and even devant dungeons. That was something she didn’t want to think of. Granted, ponies were sexual creatures, and it was very obvious that Jolie had been very active. He’d sired several foals, and a large portion of the Unicorn population on the Shetland Isles were directly from his line. They were hardy and strong, and naturally they would be gifted guards and soldiers. Of course there was also the issue with Endymion.

Both of her sons had ended up in the Shetland Isles, and both had become heroes of those isles. Jolie had faced the lich long ago, and he had managed to seal it away. Whatever had released it brought back all of the terror, horror, and fear it had to the Isles. Endymion had faced that head on, and in doing so had brought the isles together in a meaningful way. In truth the isles themselves reminded her of Equestria before Celestia was banished.

Her son was a prince in two places, but there was little doubt that the Shetland Isles were his home. Of course his royal guards were demanding to accompany him to the Crystal Empire. Personally, she saw no reason not to honor their request. It was obvious that the Shetland Isles would still have their standing army. An army that honestly could easily defeat her own royal guards. The guards were the face of the Equestrian Army. The Black Cloaks were the power behind the face, and of course the Wonderbolts were the face of the air power they had.

There were times she wondered what would have happened if the roles between her and Celestia had been reversed. Would Celestia have kept the army? Would she have created the Black Cloaks to deal with problems beyond that of the army itself? Would she have ensured the peace of their nature by maintaining strength, or would she have allowed the bureaucratic nature of the nobility to preserve a tentative peace? She hated to think ill of her sister, but even back when they battled Celestia wanted to press for peace.

She understood the feeling. She truly wanted peace as well, but it would have madness to place the security of their nature upon a small group. Twilight, and the other Element Holders, were important. She would not deny that. She sat at the table of her great great grand foal. She looked across the table, and her horn flashed for a moment. It was a simple spell, one that she had used a few times, and one that she hadn’t actively shown off. The spell itself used the memories imprinted in a place, the bits of life that were shared with a home, and it gave a reflection of what once was.

The mare she saw caused her eyes to tear up. She was shortish, perhaps five and half hooves high. Her facial features matched that of Jolie’s, but she had a honey blond mane and emerald green eyes. She watched as the mare sat across from her, her muzzle in a bright smile, and she could see others take form around the table. Finally, she saw Jolie, and he was grizzled and quite elderly. Her heart ached for him as she looked at Endymion’s older brother.

“You did well, my son,” she whispered softly, “I truly wish that I could have gotten to know my granddaughter, your little Honey Shine.”

“She wis a guid mare, 'n' mah grandmother said she'd tan a scouk that didnae listen.”

She looked toward another of her grandfoals, one that specifically was from Honey Shine’s line, “I missed quite a bit, but I would like to get to know the rest of my grandfoals.”

She let the spell die, and stood, “Is Endymion outside?”

“Aye.”

She grinned and walked outside and saw her son, her daughters-in-law, and of course her sister along with Flintheart. Looking at Celestia she thought back to what she had wondered, and she knew the answer. Twilight, and the other Element Holders, would have ended up being the one line of defense against all threats. She hated that she believed that, but she knew how Celestia was. Celestia would have worked hard toward ensuring that Equestria was a safe, peaceful, and open country.

She would have unleashed the nobility to ravish the civilians, and undoubtedly they would have ravished the Shetland Isles as well. As it was, the nobility were still an issue, but had done much to ensure that their power was limited. Granted, multiple members of the nobility held seats in the house of commons. They were able to create laws, but she, and Celestia of course, were able to veto any laws that were far too unfair.

“Sister,” Luna said with a smile, “Are you ready to travel again?”

Celestia nodded, “Verily, but sister, dost thou believe fair Sombra to be… beyond salvation?”

She could see the slight pain in Flintheart’s eyes. It was obvious her head Black Cloak had become much more to Celestia than a simple bodyguard, and almost after the question she hugged him, “Beloved,” she said softly, “We, that is I, meant no harm. Sombra had been a great friend, and while we, I, had fancied him once, he is not the one of which we, I, would build a life with.”

Flintheart touched her hand, “And I thank you for that,” he said, his voice warm, “But understand that I might not be on exactly friendly terms with him.”

Luna smiled. Flintheart had nothing to worry over. Celestia had given him her heart, and besides, it hadn’t been her that had been rutted by Sombra and Rose Quartz for hours on end. There was part of her that wanted to let Celestia know about what happened, and another part that knew that she would keep it quiet. Celelstia wouldn’t desire Sombra, not like she once did, but it would hurt her to know that she had not gotten the chance to experience what he had to offer. It was silly, in a way, for her to feel any kind of embarrassment about what had happened. After all, it had been well over a thousand years ago when it happened, but for Celestia it would be a time that she would remember far too well. A millennium long isolation from the world can do that to a body.

On top of that, Luna wasn’t exactly proud of what happened in those days. What she did was offer comfort to a hurting stallion and it turned out for the worst. If Luna was being honest with herself, she would acknowledge that what occurred might have driven Sombra to do what he did. He was already on edge, teetering between lucidity and madness; Luna’s attempt at helping a recently bereaved widower hindered any effort to bring the stallion back to sanity.

It would not do well do dwell on the past, even if it held instruction for those who had lived it, but Luna was certain that her son, the newly crowned Twilight, and Ms. Pie would see to either the containment of Sombra or… no, she could not, would not imagine an alternative. The Lunar Diarch had shed plenty of blood during the long campaign she and her sister held to unify their subjects under their shared, singular banner. There were many blunders they committed in the process, the least of which was several needless wars of attrition. For as long lived as alicorns were, errors and faults did tend to follow them throughout their long lives.

Sombra- Sombra was neither the last nor the least of these errors. As far as Luna was concerned, though, his descent into madness was by far the worst. The only failing she felt that could topple it was banishing her own sister to the sun. And Faust damn her, she was going to see that Sombra get the help he needed, even if she had to rain down meteors from her beloved night sky to do so!

She looked from her sister to see Endymion, both Twilight and Pinkie Pie, a Siren she had never met, and the rest of the Element Holders as well. She could hear the conversation, and she listened as they each expressed their thoughts of the newly appeared Crystal Empire.

“Oh just think of it!” Rarity practically squealed, “There’s an entire kingdom made of crystal! Plus who knows what kinds of fashions they have invented that could easily make a comeback!”

Applejack looked at her, “Rares, not to rain on your parade, or nothin’, but Ah got a feeling that Endymion being asked to go has less ta do with the fashion and far more ta do with some kind of danger.”

Rainbow Dash nodded, her eyes looking toward Fluttershy, “Yeah, I kinda doubt that we’re gonna get to do much hanging around. Which is a shame because we need to find some treasure. I mean, sure, we’re heroes here, which is nice, but we haven’t seen a decent haul in a while.”

It was Endymion that cleared his throat, “Rainbow, trust me you’re going to receive a reward. The Shetland Isles has just entered a very profitable trade agreement with Equestria,” he replied, “In addition, all of you are technically nobility now.”

Rarity practically swooned, “No…Nobility?!”

Twilight sighed, “In your case, royalty.”

Her squeal was almost beyond the spectrum of what could be heard by ponies, and Twilight shook her head. Rarity finding out that she was officially royalty was something that would make the white unicorn exceptionally happy. The royalty fetish that Rarity had was fairly well known, and she didn’t doubt that she would do anything to break Spike’s heart. Speaking of which, Spike had remained behind to oversee the reorganization of Jolie’s library.

Canterlot Unicorn or not, brother-in-law or not, Jolie might have been many things, but organized when it came to books didn’t seem to be one of them. Of course the other reason he stayed behind was to help watch over Charlotte. The human woman that had been displaced wanted to have more to do with them. She seemed amiable, and someone that she was willing to get to know, but her eyes were beyond damaged.

The long term hibernation hadn’t done any favors when she was revived. The worst of it was the loss of her eyes. They still existed, were still in her head, and she could still move them, but Twilight understood that a part of them that relayed sight simply no longer worked. There were spells, and counterspells, that could in theory restore her sight, but she feared that doing any of them currently could potentially do more harm than good.

There was no guarantee that she wouldn’t restore her sight, just as there was no guarantee that she would see it restored. Casting any kind of spell that would artificially do it could damage the healing process, and so it left her with the decision to leave it alone. Of course Bagatelle Addolorato, or Baggie for short apparently, had wanted to come along. In addition Baggie had learned what happened between Fluttershy and Endymion.

She wouldn’t have learned about it, if it hadn’t been for Rainbow’s excessive overreaction. It was something that they were attempting to fix, something that would take time, and she was completely willing to own the fact that she shouldn’t have attempted to push Endymion into accepting Fluttershy. Pinkie’s thoughts on Endymion using the bondage, that they used on one another, on Fluttershy, while having her blindfolded, actually was an idea that she supported.

Of course she only wanted this to happen when, and if, he felt comfortable to even consider the idea. As far as she was concerned, every single time that Fluttershy entertained the idea of being with Endymion she needed to be blindfolded. She didn't want her to take away his ability to consent or refuse ever again. She looked toward Princess Luna, and the Princess of the Night gave her a slight nod before moving toward her.

“Twilight, do you believe that Captain Wayward Sparrow would be willing to have his ship transport us once again?”

Twilight smiled, “I believe so, and I believe that he would be more than happy to have Equestria pay for it, but Princess, why not simply send word for the royal airship?”

Luna pointed just beyond Honey Shine’s island, and there Twilight saw the ripple of magic, “It would be ripped to shreds before it ever made harbor,” she replied simply, “We already know that Captain Sparrow’s ship is able to come, and go, from the Shetland Isles fairly easily. It would make sense for us to make use of it.”

Of course Luna was right, and Twilight knew it. The best course of action would be to leave the same way they arrived. Oh, using the Rune Portal would be just as easy, if not easier, but from how it operated she was sure that the only way that would happen would be if there was already one in the Crystal empire. To her knowledge there wasn’t one, and that meant making sure that one was built there once they were finished.

It would be nice to have the option to visit her brother, and sister-in-law, whenever she chose. Plus, if the Crystal Empire wished to trade with the Shetland Isles as well, using the Rune Portal would be far easier, and more convenient, than using ships. Not that she would have a problem with them transporting by airship. The trouble with doing so would be to make sure that there was someone from the isles with them.

Slowly everyone began to board the small boats that ferried from the Isle of Goats to Honey Shine’s Island. Twilight watched Princess Luna, her mother-in-law, as she kept her eyes on the house. It was almost as if she was expecting to see it disappear, or simply turn to mist and no longer exist. She could understand Luna’s worry. Honey Shine’s home had existed for an exceptionally long time, at least considering traditional homes on the Shetland Isles, and the fact that it was so well preserved seemed to truly make it a historically significant building.

But Luna, Celestia, Cadence, and herself were more or less immortal, and while Honey Shine’s home had lasted a long while even Twilight didn’t know if it would last forever. Or rather she didn’t know until she made the decision to keep it in repair. It would only make sense to keep the house in the same shape it was in, and it would make even more sense to ensure that her niece’s home was treated with the same kind of care that she was certain her niece had shown it.

That brought her to the idea of her own foals. There was little doubt in her mind that there would be foals. Endymion had certainly bred both Pinkie and herself quite extensively, and she was certain that the basic components were there. She wasn’t versed in medical magic, but she had studied the book that Flintheart had given Endymion. And from those spells she had cast the fertility magic on both herself and Pinkie.

She had little doubt that she was with foal, and she felt that the same was with Pinkie Pie. Of course if they were pregnant, and it was likely that they were, then that meant she would have the next line of royalty for the Isles. Of course it also meant that their foals would be part of the Equestrian Royal Family as well. She wasn’t worried over the possible, although very likely, pregnancy, but instead she was concerned rather with how to get the Shetland Isles ready for their foals.

She wanted her foals to grow in a place that was safe, and for them to be mostly carefree. Oh, that wasn’t to say that she expected them to take on responsibilities. She certainly expected them to learn, to put their mind to task, and to become great scholars. Endymion himself was a talented mage, he wasn’t stupid, and she knew that their foals wouldn’t be stupid either. No, she had hopes that they would be the best parts of herself and Endymion, just as she had hopes that the foals from Pinkie would be the best parts of her sister wife and Endymion. Hope, love, trust, books, and friendship meant the world to her. All of those things were the cornerstone of who she was.

Which, she planned on having Stargazer’s library moved to the royal library on the Shetland Isles. One thing she would do would be to study the spell matrix that Stargazer had created for the bag that held his library, and recreate it, minus the effect of resetting everything, once the door was closed or the user left the library. If she could recreate that spell she could, in theory, supply nearly infinite living spaces for her ponies.

They could have entire homes in a single closet, and they could hold entire distilleries in a shed no bigger than a mere doorway. It would allow her ponies the chance to truly revolutionize their country without destroying the natural beauty of it. It would, in essence, put the Shetland Isles on the same industrial level as Equestria itself, but it would do so without the need to sacrifice the land.

It would also be a wonderful benefit for the school Endymion suggested. They could use a single building, no bigger than the Ponyville School, to house the entire school, classrooms, training areas, and anything else that needed to be housed. Her eyes widened at the aspects of what could be done. She felt an all too familiar itch, a driving need, a sort of neurosis that she indulged in from time to time. It was the driving need to create, to expand, and to learn new magic. She’d had the same feeling when she sat upon creating the spell matix for the Rune Portal.

It had satisfied her, for a while, but she understood that her mind was one that would never be truly satisfied with simply existing. She needed to learn, to apply herself, and to learn new magic. In truth she was very much the element she represented. She was magic. Of course she was more than that. She was a wife, most likely soon to be a mother, and a mare that enjoyed a wonderful dicking on a nightly basis.

Once again she found herself comparing what she had experienced of sex before Endymion to what it was like after being with him. Her experiences with Written Script were okay. It was what she expected, but little more. In truth, it felt hollow and empty. It was almost as if the entire experience had no true emotion to it. She had felt mostly empty, at least emotionally, but that changed with Endymion.

She felt fulfilled, and more than that she felt alive. Each time they made love it was discovering a part of herself that she didn’t know she was missing. Everything they did, every touch, every kiss, every hug, and every time he took her brought her nothing but joy. He was never rough, although there were times that he was very excited and aerobic about their love making. He wasn’t just looking to pleasure himself, and she understood that he was truly part of herself that had been missing.

He helped her to relax, to take stock in the simple things, and to understand that sometimes it was best to just go with a gut feeling. Plus, while she would never admit it, she had become quite fond of having his sizable cock in her tailhole. The friction and tightness of it caused a sensation of being full that she couldn’t explain. Not to mention that at least in that regard she had been able to give him something she hadn’t been in a rush to use.

Twilight’s attention was so divided that she almost didn’t notice when they docked at the Isle of Goats. A slight flush covered her cheeks, the thought of that first time with Endymion, the slight turn, divergence, or the step that changed her life to what it was now. There was evidence, in the way of the alternate universes she’d seen in her dreams, that she would still have ended up an Alicorn, but she was certain that she wouldn’t have been nearly as happy as she was now.

“Twi?”

She looked toward Endymion, her smile brightened, “Just thinking about some happy thoughts,” she confessed warmly, “Endymion, we should contact Captain Sparrow and see if he would be willing to head out again.”

Endymion nodded, “I’m certain that he would be fine with it,” he replied as he looked toward the inland of the Isle, “I’m certain that he’s enjoyed being on land with his wife, but I doubt that he is one that enjoys extended stays.”

Endymion soon found himself surrounded. First by his brides, then his mother, cousin, and of course Stella, and finally by the friends he’d made. The one that seemed to stand out, to keep some distance, was Fluttershy. The Sol Priestess seemed determined to give him space. Inwardly he thanked her for that. He thanked her because it gave him a chance to really think about what needed to happen next.

He looked toward Rainbow, and he saw the determined look on the petite thief’s face. It was more than that. Her entire countenance seemed prone for possible attack. Fluttershy had explained what happened. She explained what Sol said to her, what her punishment was if she could not properly fix things between them, but it was Rainbow Dash that told him who helped Fluttershy understand what she had done. He glanced toward Rarity, and he felt indebted to her. He was close friends with Applejack and Rainbow, but Rarity was different. They weren’t the closest of friends. He believed them to be friendly, and he believed her to be a wonderful friend to all of his other friends, but the two of them hadn’t been exceptionally close.

That was something he looked to change. He wanted to give her the chance to become a close friend. She had taken that first step on her own. By confronting Fluttershy, and forcing her to see what she had done, Rarity had taken a huge step in becoming a close friend with him. He smiled as he thought of it. In truth, he needed to become closer friends with her anyway. His adopted son, Spike, was currently courting, and enjoying, the posh unicorn. There was little doubt in his mind that the two of them would be marrying.

When it happened, and he was quite certain that it would happen, he was going to ensure that they received a royal wedding. Spike was a prince now, and Rarity would become a princess. Twilight had shared the fact that Rarity had a slight Royalty kink. She’d even admitted, sheepishly, that she had been afraid that Rarity would attempt to seduce him. That her desire to bed a royal, to become a royal, would override the friendship she held so dear. There was ample evidence that pointed to the fact that she not only wouldn’t, but that she would do all she could to keep from hurting her friends’ feelings.

Since that time Twilight had apologized to Rarity, and the two had a few outings. He stopped the line of thought and looked at the place they had walked to. Of course his inner thoughts had kept him from really taking everything in, but years of being in Canterlot, of being forced to both think of what must be done, along with personal thoughts, all while talking and being a face among the populous had more than prepared him.

The entire way he’d greeted about fifteen fisher ponies, their families, considered that the roads out to the fishing area needed repair, took note of two houses that needed repaired and considered seeing if they could set up a small grant to struggling families for situations like those. He knew that his mother often did the same, although she had gotten exceptionally good at playing the nobles’ game. Thankfully he didn’t have to worry about the stuffy nobles.

A slight smile crossed his lips as he considered Duke Barrel Crusher dealing with one of the nobility from Equestria. There would be a short talk, and if the noble rubbed him the wrong way then he was certain that the newly appointed Duke would suggest that they take this discussion outside. At which point he was certain Barrel Crusher would beat the living shit out of them. It would certainly be no less than they deserved. It didn’t bother him to think like that. In truth it really never bothered him to think like that.

Oh, he was certain that more than a few nobles would like Barrel Crusher. Fancy Pants would be glad to have him. He’d likely say that it was good to see new life being breathed back into the nobility. His own mother and father-in-law would certainly like the newly appointed Duke. After all, he was someone that would speak his mind, and he doubted that there would be much he would attempt to do on the sly. Barrel Crusher didn’t really strike him as that kind of pony. The more he thought about it the more he wanted to extend the invitation to Barrel Crusher to go to Equestria as an official ambassador of the Shetland Isles.

Still, his thoughts were interrupted as he saw Captain Sparrow. The burly captain was helping with loading a large net full of fish into a wagon. They neared him,. and he gave a smile.

“Captain Sparrow, might we have a moment?”

The Captain that brought them there looked up, gave a slight bow to Luna and Celestia, and then gave the rest of them a wave, “Sure, but we’ve got a lot more fish to pull in,” he said with a grunt, “So, what do you need?”

It was Luna that stepped closer, “We would ask to charter your ship to take us toward the frozen north.”

He stopped what he was done, his eyes widened, “Frozen North?” he asked, his voice slightly strained, “Are you talking about the Yaks domain?”

She studied him for a moment, “Actually, I am talking about a kingdom that has just recently reappeared. We mean to help them, and we could make use of your ship and crew.”

There was a slight relief that crossed his face, “Oh, in that case I see no reason why not,” he replied, “I just wasn’t keen on returning to the Yaks. My wife and I had a slight threesome with a fairly attractive girl there, and I later found out that she was their leader’s daughter.”

He sighed, “I didn’t like the sound of being told that my fun bits would be smashed into paste if I returned.”

Luna sighed inwardly. Captain Sparrow was one of her subjects, but he wasn’t a guard. In truth his employment to the crown went as far as ferrying them to the Crystal Empire, and then perhaps back to the Shetland Isles. Of course that would only happen if Twilight didn’t set up a Rune Portal within the Empire itself. Which, if she was to be completely honest with herself she was certain that Twilight would most certainly set one up. It was in her nature to learn, create, and of course she didn’t doubt that she would want to have easier access to her brother and sister-in-law.

Still, that meant she had no room to condemn Captain Sparrow for whatever actions he had done in Yaks kingdom. It did mean that she would be unable to charter his ship should the Yaks express an interest in negotiating trade or a possible alliance with Equestria. Not that it truly mattered. The Lunar Light was repaired, and it was a fine vessel. She would happily take it. The good captain began to get the attention of his crew, and a few of the fisher ponies that worked around them seemed interested in traveling with them as well.

She could hardly blame them. It was perhaps the first chance any of them had even begun to believe that there would be more out there for them than a short hard life. Each of them now had a true chance to become whatever it was that they wished to become. There were many that would remain, and she believed that to be good as well. Each land needed those content with making a life for themselves and their families.

The Shetland Isles was Equestria of old in miniature, and she believed that Endymion had the ability to help bring it to the same level as Equestria was now. It would take time, and she was certain that it would take very hard work, but she had never known her son to shy away from work before. Even when it came to his studies he would work incredibly hard. Once everything was said, and done, they moved toward the Pearl.

Captain Sparrow’s ship had undergone repairs, and improvements, since docking at the Isles. The royals, Stella, Star, and the new and old crew of the Pearl looked ahead at it. The ship was prepared for them, and they began to board. Charm walked with Applejack, but stopped when he noticed that his father was missing. Master Chief was several things, but late wasn’t one of them. He looked around, and finally he saw his father. Near him was a Pegasus mare, a guard that was staying on the Isles. He saw the way she leaned against him, and he understood.

“Decided to test your land legs?”

His father smiled, “Aye,” he said, his voice warmer than Charm remembered in quite some time, “Son, there’s not a day that I wake up without missing your mother. Always will, but I know that it’s time to move forward. Swift Wind said that there’s a need for ship building here, and it’s what I do.”

Charm nodded, “Okay,” he looked at them, smiled, “Remember, don’t do anything that anyone else will live to regret.”

His dad laughed, and turned around, “Can’t promise!”

He felt Applejack hug him from behind, her wonderful breasts pressing into him, “Yer Pa ain’t a bad sort,” she said as she held him, “But then again, there’s got ta be some good parts in ‘im iff’n he helped ta make ya.”

He grinned, “Thanks sweetheart,” he said enjoying the moment, “So, when do you want to tell everypony else?”

She stiffened up a moment, “Ah…”

He pulled loose, turned around, and hugged her back, “AJ,” he said softly, “I don’t mind to hide it, for as long as you need, but eventually everyone is going to know that we eloped, and I’ve got to say that it’s very likely your prissy unicorn friend, and your family, are going to be put out that they didn’t get to have a wedding for you.”

She held him, “Eeeyup, they’re gonna be all kinds of ticked,” she said through a sheepish grin, “But then again, ain’t their lives, so Ah reckon they ain’t got a leg ta stand on ‘bout it.”

He nodded, but regardless he knew that eventually there would be several that would be fairly put out over the fact that they didn’t get to have the celebration that he knew his beloved bride deserved. He looked toward Moondancer and Muddy, both of which had been witnesses, and he saw their understanding expressions. Applejack didn’t mind parties, and large gatherings, but she didn’t care for them when it was specifically about her.

She’d confessed to him, a few nights before they eloped, that she just wanted something small and intimate. Had they been back at her farm, he would have held a small ceremony in her orchard. Something that would include those close to her, but not drag too many into it. He doubted that she would want the entire family uprooted to attend. As they hugged, Muddy held Moondancer’s hand. The two lovers had gotten closer on the isles.

Moondancer felt the stirring of new magic inside of her, and honestly she welcomed it. She welcomed the idea of bringing a new life into the world. She couldn’t ask for a better father for her foal, or husband for her, than Muddy. He was dependable, gentle, and sweet. In truth he was everything that she could ever want. Looking around she did wonder where the other black cloak and Sol Priest were.

Shetland Castle - Library

Trixie laid basking in the glow of the wonderful round of sex she and Flash Sentry had just had. It was a little bad, she had to admit, to do so in the Library, but then it had been something of a fantasy of hers to do so. Her imagination, and desire to be with Endymion had been something of a foalish dream. She understood that now, and she didn’t mind a bit that she ended up with Flash instead. She felt him, behind her, his hands still around her, and the both of them laid upon the table they had begun on.

The door opened, and she floundered for a moment before falling off of the table onto the cold stone floor.

“Trixie is okay!” she shouted, “But knock before entering!”

The guard that entered sighed, “Awright lassie, we've bin keekin fur yer. Th' royals hae left awready, bit we're preparing a ship tae tak' supplies tae thaim. Sae, if ye hurry, 'n' stoap getting a mighty braw dicking, then mibbie ye kin catch that ship.”

Her eyes widened, “THEY’VE LEFT ALREADY?!”