Morning
The Badlands
Diamond dog encampment

Raarg made his way through the encampment, a mug of tea cradled in the crook of his left foreleg. While the limb was usable it ached, and the warmth from the mug helped with that almost as much as the tea itself helped with the ache in his belly. Overnight, the aches had combined to keep restful sleep from him. Unable to sleep, he had visited his wounded dogs in the infirmary and had caught up on paperwork. Come the cursed dawn, the night had left him cranky and irritable and his able bodied dogs had made a point of avoiding him that morning saying they were going to keep an eye on ‘their’ pony. Arriving at his destination, Raarg tucked a sheaf of papers from his good forelimb to his sore one and respectfully scratched on the door.

“Come in,” called a voice from inside.

Raarg sighed at the chipper sound of his den leader’s voice. He had half hoped that Howl would be somewhere else than in his office but it was not to be. Howl was an able superior, but mercurial, and he divided up the world into two categories. Predators and prey. In Howl’s mind diamond dogs were predators and ponies were only prey to be used and discarded. That attitude was one of the reasons why he had been appointed Den Leader of this encampment and entrusted with their mission. Steeling himself, Raarg entered the office of his immediate superior.

“Good morning sir,” Raarg said in greeting to Den Leader Howl who sat in the small office. “I’ve brought you my report on the pursuit and capture of Valiente.”

“Excellent, you have always been one of my more diligent pack leaders. Sit down and drink your tea instead of standing there lopsided,” Howl said cheerily, then asked, “What is the condition of your pack?”

“Six injured in total. Two will be fine by tomorrow. Two others will need at least a few more days to heal, but the other two have broken paws and dislocations. They will be down for at least a couple of weeks, possibly more, before they are capable of even light duties. Valiente put up quite a fight,” Raarg said, managing to combine admiration with ruefulness in his comment as he sat down, putting his mug on Howl’s desk.

“You like her, don’t you?” asked Howl as Raarg passed him the sheaf of papers that made up his report. The way Howl had said it made it a statement and not a question. But Raarg answered him anyway.

“She is brave, intelligent, determined and spirited. Valiente as a name suits her completely.”

“Not to mention having one of the sleekest flanks and firmest plots I’ve ever had the pleasure of having beneath my paw,” added Howl, a leer on his face and in his tone. “I want you to let me know when she is fully broken so I can do some,” he paused, “quality control.”

“Sir, have I ever talked to you about my faith?,” blurted Raarg suddenly, changing the subject.

“No, we never have. I have always known you prayed to Luna, but I’ve never seen the point of praying to a pony. Even if it is an alicorn,” Howl said in quiet surprise at the non sequitur.

“You might want to pay more attention, sir. At least two-thirds of the camp worships Holy Luna in some capacity through one of the six chapters, some of who might begin to feel uncomfortable with their -,” Raarg began to explain.

“Uncomfortable with what? Their duties, their orders? Are you telling me that you are about to disobey orders, Raarg?” Howl interrupted with some heat to his voice.

“Not at all, Den Leader,” said Raarg smoothly in a placating tone. “But some dogs may begin to feel unhappy with their duties depending on which chapter of the faith they belong to.”

Howl leaned back from his desk, letting the report fall to it. Raarg was one of his best pack leaders. His pack consistently was one of the top two or three in camp. If Raarg thought there might be a problem with his dogs he should at least hear him out.

“I think you had better explain what you mean, Raarg. I need to know if there is a threat to our mission,” said Howl in a slightly calmer tone than a moment before.

“Thank you. The first thing you need to know is that Luna is prayed to through the six martyred ponies that fell defending her in the Battle of Comberland, where she was eventually captured. Each of the Six is the spiritual head of a ‘Chapter’ or group of dogs that feel that particular martyr is one whose ideals they can follow. For example, I follow the chapter of Dark Shield, third to fall in Luna’s defense. Dark Shield’s motto was ‘Semper Fidelis’ in ancient Roaman, which means ‘Always Faithful’,” Raarg paused, giving Howl a moment or two to absorb the information before continuing.

“It is why you don’t need to worry about me. I will keep faith to the oaths I swore. To you, to the Alpha, to our people. I know what we are doing has to be done. I know, that if it isn’t done, thousands of our people will be dead by the end of the year. So I will keep the faith and do my duty,” dissertation done, Raarg sat back and sipped at his tea.

“Well, Raarg,” said Howl, “that was certainly interesting and more than I really wanted to know but you haven’t explained why that is all suddenly important now and why this could cause some problems with the dogs.”

“Because sir, there is something else you need to know. I didn’t put it into my report but dogs talk and I would be surprised if the whole camp didn’t know by sundown.”

“Raarg, just get to the damn point,” growled Howl, patience exhausted.

“As Valiente made her attempt to break free, she declared herself to be one of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony,” Raarg said evenly.

“She did WHAT??” shouted Howl, aghast.

“She declared herself to be the Element of Generosity,” Raarg confirmed. “And I believe her. When she made her statement, it was like the pronouncement of a goddess. There is more than mortal power in that pony.”

“By all that is holy,” Howl murmured quietly as his eyes lost focus and he gazed into the middle distance. Raarg could see the thoughts whirling behind the den leader’s eyes as he sifted though possibilities and ideas. Howl was known to have a good tactical mind so hopefully he could understand the problem now that Raarg had begun to lay things out for him. If Howl had a weakness it was that he once he decided on a course of action he stuck to it with dogged determination. After a couple of minutes Howl shook himself and began speaking.

“Okay, Valiente is a Bearer of one of the Elements. That makes her of huge value to Equestria,” Howl said as he began to tick off points with his right paw.

“A great part of their security depends on her and the other five Bearers,” Howl said ticking off another point.

“Luna and Celestia would pay almost anything to get her back,” he said as he raised a third claw.

“On the other paw, Equestria’s enemies and rivals would pay as much or more to have Valiente as their bondsmare,” Howl said, raising his fourth claw.

“Combined,” Howl said as he closed his claws into a fisted paw, “it could trigger a bidding war between the powers that could be enough to accomplish our ultimate goal.”

Raarg looked across the desk at Howl with concern in his heart and mind. All Howl could see was the number of bits to be had and how it could accomplish their goal. He couldn’t see the greater implications. Just like he couldn’t see the how ponies were anything but prey.

Raarg’s attention was snapped back as Howl addressed him directly, “Raarg, I have new orders for you. Your pursuit pack is understrength until your casualties heal so I can’t use you for captures. I’m assigning you the task of breaking and taming Valiente. You and your pack already know her and her abilities so I can think of no one better.”

Howl leaned back with a satisfied and confident look. It was a look that Raarg knew was meant to be encouraging but all he could feel was a dawning fear that not only didn’t Howl see the even greater danger but that he could not see it. Suddenly, the tea in his belly was no longer so comforting. But if Howl could not see the danger maybe he could tell Howl about it.

“Sir...with respect, you are still not getting the spiritual aspects of this,” Raarg said with as much deference and respect as he could put into his voice. Howl narrowed his eyes at Raarg but said nothing in reply. Encouraged by that silence Raarg decided to plunge on and lay it all out at once.

“Valiente IS one of the Bearers. One of the six who redeemed our Goddess and brought her back to the waking world. For better or worse my pack has almost certainly been spreading the tale of her capture and the fight with her on the way back. I would be amazed if the camp chaplain hasn’t already heard about her and sent a message to the High Temple of Luna in Doge City asking for guidance. Also, remember what I told you about the chapters? Well the Aegis Moon chapter’s motto is ‘Luna Nos Custodit’ or ‘We Guard the Moon.’ It is quite possible that they might view the taming and sale of Valiente as an offense to the goddess.”

Howl snorted in derision, “Like I care about what a bunch of dusty old priest dogs and religious malingerers are going to say. Look at it this way Raarg. Since the Alpha ordered us on this course of action this we have captured, broken and trained four ponies, not counting Valiente. Their sale has brought in the equivalent of just over a million Equestrian bits. And now, you have brought in one pony, who by herself, could double or triple that amount.”

“So, if anyone in this camp expresses any problem with our mission you send them to me and I’ll straighten them out in a hurry,” Howl finished as real anger began to colour his voice. “You have two weeks to have Valiente in a fit condition for sale. Dismissed.”

Raarg left.

Later that morning
Diamond dog encampment
Holding and training pens

Oddly enough, Rarity found that she had enjoyed the past several hours. She had been bathed, fed, groomed and allowed to rest in relative comfort. After awakening, she had been asked to walk around an enclosure under the eye of an actual physician this morning. After seeing her move and listening to her lungs and heart she had been pronounced fit by the medical dog. The restraint harness and her hobbles had then all been removed. The only bond still on her was the bridle and an attached long lead made of light chain. If not for that, she could almost imagine herself at some expensive health club undergoing a regimen of enforced diet and exercise.

At the moment she stood in the enclosure under the morning sun, the far end of the lead wrapped around a post while a young diamond dog ran over her coat yet again with a brush. By now her coat practically glowed, it was so clean. Rarity noticed that they seemed to have gained something of an audience. Nearly twenty dogs stood around the enclosure watching the scene in the enclosure with various degrees of interest.

“Time to see if I can start a little jealousy within the ranks,” Rarity thought to herself. Turning her head toward the young dog brushing her down she said aloud, “Darling, you are doing the most wonderful job on my coat. I swear I would have to pay a fortune for brushing half as skilled as yours in a Canterlot boutique. Your paws have incredible skill.”

For his part, the young dog blushed and smiled but said nothing. He did however continue to brush her coat in long, sweeping strokes. Glancing at the observers around the enclosure she could see a few of them were indeed giving envious glances toward herself and the dog grooming her. Some of the others had oddly intent looks. Not lustful ones though. Rarity knew that she had beauty enough to draw sexual attraction. Even from non-ponies. Den Leader Howl had been proof enough of that.

As she considered this she noticed the tall form of Raarg approaching with a small entourage of dogs. Rarity put her considerations aside for the moment. Raarg’s approach did not bode well. She had won a small victory the previous day but the mass of straps in Raarg’s paws plus the box being carried by a dog following him told her that the enemy was about to step up his game. Rarity decided to take the initiative.

“Good morning, Raarg,” Rarity called out cheerily. “I have to say, you have some very skilled dogs when it comes to pony grooming.”

For his part, Raarg looked as grim as a storm cloud as he walked up to the fence surrounding the enclosure. Ignoring Rarity, he loudly addressed the dogs in the area who had been taking in the tableau, “If you are not a member of my pack I’m sure you have duties that need doing elsewhere. Leave. Now. “

Startled, most of the dogs began to leave the area. The majority of them leaving with chagrined looks at being caught out loitering. A few however acted with resentment. Rarity noticed that they were the same ones who had been giving her the oddly intent looks while she had been being groomed. One of them even approached Raarg and had an obvious, if very quiet, argument with him. Rarity strained to overhear their conversation but the only word she could make out was ‘Luna’.

After a few minutes all of the dogs had left the area. Only Raarg, the dog grooming her and the other members of Raarg’s pack remained present. Raarg opened the gate of the enclosure and motioned them inside. The dogs took up positions around Rarity upon entering. They had picked up their leader’s mood and all of them were quiet and grim. This made Rarity a little nervous, but as she involuntarily tried to take a step back the long lead jerked taut and halted her movement. The chain’s motion caught Raarg’s eye and he stepped up to the captured pony.

“Valiente,” he addressed her. “It seems I have been assigned to be your trainer and - “

“You mean my enslaver,” Rarity interrupted as she let the lead slacken again. “At least have the courage to call it what it is instead of trying to pretty it up.”

“Yes, Valiente, even so,” Raarg looked like he bitten down on a basket of lemons. “The first thing I need to do is get your training harness on you and get that snare bridle off.” Setting actions to words, Raarg and two other dogs began wrapping and buckling the mass of straps around Rarity. As they worked Rarity held still. Fighting wouldn’t do any good, but if Raarg was telling the truth she was going to have a golden opportunity to break free shortly. As soon as that ring came off her horn they were going to be in the fight of their lives. Rarity began to plan her opening moves for a lightning assault to freedom.

A few moments later though a tug on the lead brought Rarity’s attention back in focus as Raarg said, “Let’s go inside to the support frame.” He and the pack began to lead her inside the building where her bed and the frame that had held her earlier were.

As they walked the short distance Rarity looked over the harness that had been fastened to her as best she could. Black straps, contrasting with her white coat, seemed to be everywhere. Around her barrel, looping over shoulders, thighs and around the back of her neck. There was even a strap going around her tail. She was impressed at the fit. Very snug but neither chafing nor pinching. Another interesting feature was the truly impressive number of drop rings riveted to the harnesses straps. At least two or three on every strap and as she walked they made a pleasant rippling chiming song in time with her motions.

As they reached the frame and the dogs began to attach her via the harness to the frame Rarity asked, “Raarg, I am not resisting or fighting you. Why am I being strapped into this frame again?”

“Because getting the snare bridle off of you is going to cause you great pain,” Raarg replied with some of his former empathy. “We attach you to the frame in case you collapse or we have to get you medical help.”

“It will be that bad?”, Rarity asked with a slight tremor in her lip.

Putting a paw on her shoulder Raarg looked her in the eye saying, “It will likely be worse, Valiente. The snare uses your own magic to keep itself working. We have to sever that connection to get it off and that will hurt. I do not enjoy causing pain but in this case it is necessary. Now, open your mouth.”

Rarity looked up at the dog nervously but complied and Raarg gently but firmly placed the bit in her mouth and pushed it back as far as it would go. Just before it was about to trigger her gag reflex she heard a ‘click’ as the bit reattached to the bridle. Rarity champed on the bit as Raarg opened up the wooden box that had been brought with him. He reached in and pulled out what looked to be an oversized tuning fork. The prongs of the fork were slightly wider than her head and had a small crystal at each tip. Laying that aside Raarg then pulled out what looked to be a wickedly sharp knife. Followed by something that chilled Rarity to the bone.

The third item out of the box was another bridle. This one blue in colour with lavender trim. A line of small blue diamond shaped crystals dangled from the headband and adorned the joins of the straps. Like the bridle currently on her, this one also had a strap attaching an inhibitor ring to it. Obviously meant to stop her from accessing her magic. Finally, across the noseband, was the name ‘Valiente’, picked out in silver thread. The bridle had obviously been made for her specifically and Raarg had maneuvered her into a position where he would be able to bridle her again with relative ease, harnessed as she now was.

Rarity growled back in her throat and despite the futility of it, began to thrash and buck. The frame didn’t even flex. Even Applejack, the strongest of her friends, would have been unlikely to have accomplished anything, were she in Rarity’s position. Raarg stood back to let Rarity wear herself out, confident in the harness and the frame confining the pony. Rarity, after a minute of struggle though, decided to not further waste her strength. There was still a chance that she would be able to access her magic and break free using that.

Stepping back into her line of vision Raarg addressed Rarity, “Rarity, I have never lied to you and I never will. I simply did not mention that I would be putting another bridle onto you after the snare was removed.” Rarity looked up in surprise as Raarg used her actual name.

Raarg continued to speak, holding the bridle where she could clearly see it, “This is your training bridle. It has been made uniquely for you. It’s purpose is to control you, bind your magic and break your will to mine.”

He handed the bridle to a dog and picked up the oversized tuning fork. “It is time for you to cease being Rarity of Ponyville and truly become Valiente, bound slavemare to Raarg of the Diamond Dogs.”

With that he advanced on the captive pony, sliding the fork forward so that the prongs were on either side of her muzzle. As the crystals at the end of the fork drew even with the bit in Rarity’s mouth they began to glow. Purple and black lighting danced on the surface of the crystals. Then, the ends of the fork bent inwards and the crystals touched either end of the bit. Suddenly, Rarity’s head was wreathed in a corona of the lightning from the crystals as the straps of the bridle conducted them all across it’s surface.

Agony tore through the unicorn’s mind and body as every nerve was lit up with dark fire. Conscious thought was impossible and her entire body jerked and flexed as all bodily control vanished. Only the harness and the frame kept her upright. As this was happening to Rarity’s body the bridle about her head was retreating. Slowly, but with increasing speed the straps oozed back into the bit like some viscous tar. Even the inhibitor ring flowed off. In the space of less than half a minute the bridle was reduced to just the bit itself.

This was the moment Rarity had been waiting for. She tried to react, to struggle, to bring out her magic. But liquid fire still coursed through her nerves, scrambling both mind and body. As the dogs had planned, she had no ability to muster the concentration needed for even the most basic of spells. The fork was withdrawn, pulling the bit and absorbed bridle from Rarity’s mouth. Raarg then stepped up beside her, and lifting her head up and to one side deliberately made a long, shallow cut just under her jawline. The wound bled freely.

Rarity’s pain-dazed senses began to recover just as Raarg put the knife aside and slipped the new bridle over her head and its ring over her horn. The blood from the neck wound flowed over one of the straps of the bridle and seemed to drink it in. Seeing this, Raarg picked up the knife again and slashed the pad of his open paw. He pressed it over the strap where it seemed to be absorbing Rarity’s blood. Dog and pony blood mixed and were absorbed together by the strap and the open joins of the bridle began to meet and merge. Closing and sealing the bridle around Rarity’s head.

In a formal voice Raarg intoned, “From this day forth I am your Master. I am responsible for your body, your life and your training. From this day, until the day I free you or I pass the bond to another. I name thee, Valiente, bound to Raarg.”

Hanging limply in the harness Rarity managed the strength to reply with, “In a pig’s eye. My name is Rari -.” She didn’t even manage to finish her name as lightning lanced anew through her head, re-scrambling her thoughts and shattering anew her control over her body.

Lifting her chin and looking her in the eye Raarg asked, “What did you say Valiente?”

Rarity looked up to Raarg in horror as the name he spoke started to echo in her head from some source, “Valiente, Valiente, valiente.”

Tears in her eyes she croaked out to Raarg, “Why? Why would you do this to me?

Softly, almost apologetically Raarg replied, “Because Valiente, my people are dying and your enslavement may be the key to saving us. To save them, I would set the world ablaze and use my soul for tinder.”

Author's Note

So, here is the fourth chapter. I've partly revealed a few things. Some of which will be more fully detailed in the next chapter. Others down the road. And not all of the players have yet had their turn upon the stage.

I would have preferred to do more checks but my computer is going into the shop tomorrow due to issues with a cranky graphics card and I wanted to get this chapter out before the weekend. On the weekends I work on an alpaca farm (yes, really) and I find I do some of my best plot and dialogue thinking while mucking the barn or pitching bales of hay around.

So I will be limited to mobile for the next couple of days. I've decided to try to stick with US style punctuation for dialogue and hopefully I've kept it consistent. I've also taken to heart several of your suggestions to help improve my punctuation and formatting. Including switching from Word to LibreOffice with the suggested plug-ins. As always, constructive suggestions are highly appreciated with particular thanks to Damaged and Cross Lament.