As I lay there in the cold wet mud, I could tell that I was too wounded to get back up. I saw Starry Spur lying near me, his eyes now vacant and breath no longer drawn by my squad mate and friend.
When had it gone so wrong? One moment we were happily escorting Princess Luna on her diplomatic mission to Nordanver, the next we were brutally ambushed by gryphons without provocation. They just came out of nowhere and attacked us.
I saw Risky Storm lying face down in the dirt not far from us, and I sincerely hoped he did not suffer. His grievous wounds and the amount of blood pooling under his body would make me sick to my stomach. But in my current condition, I couldn’t even register anything besides pain and the horrors before my eyes.
Even though we were trained royal guards, we had never been prepared for something like this; things like this simply didn’t happen in Equestria. Not even in Canterlot Palace, even though both our beloved Princesses lived there.
I wonder if they heard our cries in the chaos when we went down. I’m sure the Sergeant did at least. Because he was one of the most observant ponies I had ever met, but I can understand why he and the others didn’t come to our aid. They had to get Princess Luna out of here and make their escape.
It was so quiet around us now. The enemy had pursued the Princess and the other survivors and had just left us here. They were probably too eager to catch them to even care about the fact some of us still drew breath. We were literally nothing now.
Using my magic was out of the question, even being a unicorn, I could not get it to work being this hurt. I could barely move as it was, though I finally did move my head to see the actual severity of my injuries and shuddered.
The wounds in my chest and belly oozed red and blackened blood. I was no medic, but even I knew that blackened blood meant that I would not see Equestria again.
Tears streaked my cheeks as I panicked for a moment, quiet, distressed whinnies escaping my muzzle as I tried to get up to no avail. Then, a strange calm followed that moment as I lay my head down again. Most of the pain was somehow subsiding and my thoughts drifted back to the day when I joined this squad.
I was standing to attention along with the others that belonged to this to this squad. My lavender coat—from which I probably derived my name—was covered in shiny dark armor that filled me with pride! Hearing my name being called by the Sergeant, I looked at him and nickered. “Here, Sergeant!”
Our Sergeant, a pegasus by the name of Silent Knight was a very imposing stallion and rumoured to be deadly serious and tough as nails. It would be an honor to serve under his command in the house guard of Princess Luna after having served with him before.
A wet cough snapped me out of my thoughts, and I could taste a coppery substance bubbling up from my throat and into my muzzle. Scrunching my face, I spat it out and confirmed my fears: more blackened blood. Sighing, I closed my eyes, another memory surfacing from my mind as I tried to stay calm.
Me, Risky Storm, and Starry Spur were at the Spearhead Tavern. Our duty was finished for the night, so we had decided to spent the rest of it at our local watering hole where most royal guards went. I was happily drinking my third hard cider of the night, and was in a pretty great mood. I admit I was somewhat tipsy, but that was okay as long as I got home in one piece, right? It was getting chilly though, why was that?
Opening my eyes, I let out a groan, and remembered I was in Nordanver and not in the Spearhead. I was feeling colder and more tired than before, and couldn’t move my limbs or head anymore. It wouldn’t take long now, I was sure of it. Maybe I should close my eyes and rest a bit more, seemed like a good idea.
Me and Risky Storm were standing guard outside of Princess Luna’s bed chambers when I suddenly heard a loud crashing noise coming from inside. I knew for a fact that Princess Luna was not in there. That could’ve only meant one thing. “Intruder!” I yelled as I opened the door and charged through it, followed closely by Risky Storm.
It was dark inside, but I saw the silhouette of the trespasser and jumped at them. He or she was quick though, as they dodged me and grabbed my hoof flinging me to the ground. Then, Risky Storm attempted to take a swing at the intruder, but they stomped him in the helmet and dazed my squad mate.
I scrambled to my hooves and snorted, the intruder said something, but I ignored them and jumped onto our assailant’s back, bringing my forehooves around their neck in an attempt to subdue them with a choke hold. Judging by the build and muscle of this pony, I had the idea that this apparent pegasus was a stallion. Also strange, was the fact that he wore heavy armor.
My mistake. In the split second of wondering such, the stallion bucked a few times and threw me over him onto the floor again, but just as I got up Princess Luna’s voice boomed from the door opening.
“Be still!” she bellowed and all three of us halted.
Then, the lights came on with a flick of her magic and we could finally identify our trespasser. It was Sergeant Knight. I blinked. Wait, it was Sergeant Knight? I took a step back. Had I attacked my superior?
“Sergeant?” I asked while my eyes widened—undoubtedly the size of saucers by now.
“Of course, can’t you see—” He started but then halted, and instead said, “I’m sorry. You two did excellent on this little test.” Little test? Skulking in the Princess’s chambers? “Please take up position outside and uh… Risky, go see the medic. You’re bleeding.” Yes because you kinda hit him in the head.
We stared at him a moment, wondering if he had overworked himself, then we gazed up at Princess Luna. She nodded though so we left her chambers and Risky Storm headed off to the medic. Weird evening.
My eyes snapped open again, I couldn’t breathe! It was as if something blocked my windpipe even if I tried to dislodge whatever it was. Shuddering I began to sweat and spasm weakly kicking my hooves before my vision started to go black. I wasn’t ready to die, please… mommy… I… want to li—
In remembrance of those who fell in the line of duty. Never forget - Lavender
Author's Note
A story about Lavender's final moments in tribute to the three ponies that belonged to Silent's squad and lost their lives due to cowardice.
