Griffinstone United

"It looks pretty okay," Benedict said, squinting his eyes as he stared through the morning light that came through the window. Ellie looked and saw that it was, indeed, a much lighter snow, and it was falling steadily rather than being blown about by the wind. The sun wasn't actually visible, but it shone through the grayish-white clouds brightly, making the snow look luminescent.

She hung near the back of the room, sitting on a trunk at the end of the bed that Big Macintosh had taken. The rest of them had grabbed some pillows from the bed and slept on the floor. The whole room was circular with a wall of stone, the creaking floorboards covered in dust. The giant stallion was still asleep, his light snores being the only noises in the room besides the three's chatting.

Well, two. Ellie had avoided talking to Benedict and Amethyst for fear of her Necromancy being brought up. Amethyst may or may not know and she had told Benedict that it was some abjuration, so she thought it best to let the topic fade from their minds before even thinking of conversation. Until then, she'd be as silent as a mouse. Or a Big Macintosh.

"Do you want to go out once Big Macintosh is awake?" Amethyst asked in her formal, never faltering tone. Before, Amethyst had always talked to everyone in such a way to make them feel lesser than her, but now she had warmed up to everyone.

"Sure." Ellie eventually tuned out from their conversation and got up, opening the trunk and looking inside it. Of course, it was empty; they had searched through it, as well as the desk and drawers in the room. They had found a couple bits, but what use were they? In the middle of nowhere, bits would mean nothing.

She slumped back on the trunk, bored. She always kept an eye on her books, however. The sacks had been moved by the wall, stacked in a pile that was anything but neat. She eventually zoned out, being jostled back awake by Benedict.

"Hey, time to go," he said, walking towards the stairs after Amethyst. She yawned and grabbed her bag, Big Mac following soon afterwards with a slight limp. A wave of cool air washed over Ellie once she had stepped outside, much warmer than the previous day however. She scanned her surroundings. The sky was still smeared with clouds, but they were much lighter than before, and there was no snow, just a light breeze.

"C'mon," Benedict told everyone as he climbed up the crest of an especially steep hill, one that none of them noticed because of the harsh weather. It had acted like a veil before their very eyes, but now it was just a slope of pure, white snow, twigs from the barren trees above lying in the ground, snapping from their passing. Ellie lagged behind, thinking of what God had showed her last night. It was like a deadball, but a wave, and it had affected all of the dead rather than just one or a small area. Well, besides that Goliath, which was a term used for already dead Necromancers, though it was the first time she'd seen one.

A Goliath was only possible if a Necromancer like herself died and was brought back by another Necromancer, giving the dead one the power to sustain them self with their own magic, though Ellie preferred to call herself a Dark Aid. It sounded better than Necromancer, even if it was the proper term. Plus, she did know the normal powers of an Aid, so it made sense.

Her train of thought was stumped when she bumped into the back of Amethyst, who didn't even notice her. She frowned, wondering why everyone had stopped at the top of the hill, walking up to where Benedict was...

...And then she saw.

A landscape of snow, trees, and lakes went on for miles, ending in a canvas of mountains and a strange structure that stood in the distance, spiraling towers rising to pierce the sky, but that wasn't what her eyes were glued to. No, Ellie was staring at all of the creatures that roamed about. Dozens on top of dozens of strange, glowing jellyfish-like  things flew over the ground sluggishly, ranging from the size of a brick to a house.

Large boulders that could move fascinated Ellie, and she noticed that Big Macintosh was staring as well at the same thing that she was, one of the biggest things. It looked like it was made of ice, and it stood on two long — but very large — legs. It had to have been at least a hundred times bigger than Benedict and Big Mac combined, with near minuscule glowing pink dots that must've been eyes, the thing's head shaped like a triangle. There were more of the strange things, some with stubby legs and large bodies, jaws jutting out with rows of jagged stone teeth that glistened, as well as smaller versions of the pink-eyed colossal beast, and more variants.

Many common creatures also frolicked across the field along with the patches of naked tree, such as squirrels, rabbits, foxes, bears, and more. All of them scattered, however, when a familiar roar rang out across the mountaintops in the distance, traveling all the way to Ellie's ears. Everyone tensed, remembering that roar all to easily.

Everyone then gasped when the enormous dragon emerged from behind the castle-like structure in the distance, but a further inspection revealed something... strange.

"That dragon, it is made of bone!" Amethyst said, voicing Ellie's thoughts. It was, indeed, made of bone, bones that were just as big as the ice giant. Thankfully, the thing wasn't flying towards them, but rather to the left of the castle. Everyone still gazed upon it in awe, Amethyst especially. Suddenly, Ellie realized something.

That thing, it must be controlled by a Necromancer, she thought, both stabbed with fear and dread as well as a sudden giddiness. And a really dang powerful one at that! Maybe I can find whoever it is and ask them things, maybe I can try to relate to them! She had always longed for someone who she could chat openly to about her magic, besides Ray, as he was more of a mentor than anything else. Where is Ray, anyway?

The thought was banished when Benedict shouted something, Ellie not hearing it. Luckily, Amethyst asked, "What? Where?"

The griffon pointed a claw in the distance. "Look, over there!" It was barely discernable, but Ellie could make out a small group of ponies marching towards them, each one of them with a beautiful banner swashed with a deep sapphire blue. Benedict looked from Ellie back to Amethyst. "Should we check them out?"

Of course, everyone answered yes.

***   ***   ***

"Halt!" they yelled once within earshot, though they had seen one another instantly in the flat field of white. The leading pony, a unicorn, galloped forward, Ellie complying along with the other three.

Despite the cold weather, he was covered in sweat, his beautiful blue robes sticking to his body once he skid to a halt. He had a mane almost as white as the snow that they stood on, but with a tint of blue, along with a deeper shaded mane that curled in multiple different directions. The hood of his robes hung from his neck, left off because of the sudden nice weather. He wore a bulging saddle as well as a harness, a gnarled wooden pole stemming from it, ending in a flowing banner.

Makes sense why he's sweating, Ellie thought as his panting eventually stopped as well.

"Hello," he said, letting out a long whoosh of air.

"Er, who are you?" Benedict asked, regarding him with curious eyes, unlike Amethyst's mounting suspicion.

"The name's Peacekeeper Snowdrop, and we saw you strangers from a mile away," he said, giving a large smile and extended a hoof. Amethyst did not shake it, but Benedict did, earning him a glare. "Ah c'n see that y'all are strangers, right?"

Benedict nodded.

"Alright," he said, his grin growing, "that's great! As soon as we saw you busting into those old catacombs, Her Highness immediately ordered us to come to you once the storm was over, and coincidentally it ended just this morning!"

"Her Highness?" Ellie mumbled, earning another smile from Snowdrop.

"Well, yeah, Queen Lilac. Surely you've heard of her?" An awkward silence followed. "Well, goodness gracious then, welcome to her kingdom! We always treat our guests with the utmost quality, and we sure as heck haven't had one for a while."

"Wait, wait, wait," Benedict said, a puzzled expression plastered over his beak. "Why did you even come?"

"Why, to give y'all a warm welcome. Ah know y'all would need it after last night, how cold it was and whatnot. That's why Her Highness herself sent me and my team of Peacekeepers to invite you over to Her Highness's grand castle for a hot dinner under warm hearths. Ya' see, these here lands c'n be mighty dangerous, so she thought it best for us to relay the message. Now, Ah'd love to elaborate and whatnot, but it'll be safer to chat inside the Queen's home. Y'all wouldn't find any trouble in us leadin' y'all to it, would ya'?"

"Nope," Big Mac spoke up for the group. Snowdrop's country slang had easily gained his trust, it seemed, but his unicorn companion did not feel the same, whispering something loudly in his ear that Ellie could easily hear.

"Are you crazy? Doesn't it seem just a tiny bit odd that all this cold weather stops right-"

"Sure, I guess," Benedict said, interrupting her and surprising Ellie. The brashness, immediateness of his answer was odd.

Snowdrop grinned once again and turned hoof. "Well, come along then, it's an hour's walk back." And so they did, Amethyst shooting suspicious glares at everyone, including Big Mac and Benedict. Ellie was glad that she was the only exception of her gazes. As they walked, the dragon's roars continued to echo throughout the peaks of mountains back to them, and the castle loomed in the distance.

***   ***   ***

The flowing banners that hung from the tall, arching ceiling showed the same symbol as the flags that the Peacekeepers had held, but much, much bigger.

"Wow," Ellie muttered, pausing on the crimson carpet to study the detailed cloth, the wall of cobblestone behind it baring large windows between each gap, similar to the Academy's entrance hall's torches, though this hall was much grander and brighter, the arched roof made of glass to let the sunlight that could break through the clouds shine the room, stained glass showering the room in beautiful purples, blues, and reds. She saw the others continue and quickly caught up with them.

Snowdrop and his small band of Peacekeepers had left them with another group of Peacekeepers, this time just two, who were silently leading them through the halls. They were apparently going to the throne room of 'Her Highness.' Ellie was just as skeptical as Amethyst was, but Benedict and Big Mac were seemingly under a spell, both nodding to any request or offer before the mare and her could butt in with their own objections.

Eventually Amethyst lagged behind the red stallion, coming close to Ellie and gesturing for her to do the same. She uncomfortably complied, hoping this wasn't what she thought it'd be about.

"This 'Queen,' those so-called servants, this whole place, it all smells fishy," she whispered, Ellie nodding in agreement.

"I know, it doesn't seem right. And I've never heard of some 'Queen Lilac' before."

"Me neither, and I'm starting to question whether I want to." The mare paused, looking around before adding, "Doesn't it seem the least bit odd that the cold weather that has been increasing rapidly came to a halt in a single night?"

"Yup."

"It's just a theory, but I believe that all the dots, connected, leave a clue about this weather situation. Do you think that this Queen Lilac could be-"

"We're here," one of the robed soldiers said, cutting her off. They both looked up as two grand oak doors creaked open, chirping birds flying through as sunlight poured into the hall, nearly blinding Ellie.

She lowered her hand and eventually adjusted to the sudden bright light, staring. It was quite a strange throne room.

Gardens and flowers somehow lived, piercing the sheet of snow that blanketed the courtyard, multiple fountains spewing ice-cold water, which was fittingly appropriate. More robed figures' heads rose at their arrival, chatting ceasing. All of their eyes followed in unison as they walked towards a short staircase of ice, and there were was only one thought in Ellie's head: This is creepy as fuck!

Above the staircase was a circular platform of ice, glistening in the sunlight. Multiple birds were perched on the top of the ridiculously big chair of ice that housed a tall white unicorn, watching them approach. About twice the height of Amethyst, she had a coat of pure white and a flowing blond mane, but Ellie could feel her cold sapphire eyes piercing right through her. There was a strange air about her; she seemed confident, and Ellie suddenly felt the will to bow down, but it was easily suppressed. She wore golden plates for her hooves, along with a diamond-encrusted necklace and crown, along with a very simple, humble green cloak.

And then two majestic wings sprouted out form her sides.

What the-?! Ellie saw that everyone's reactions were similar, but they quickly regained composture, except for Amethyst. She thought that she heard the mare whisper to herself, "Sweet Celestia, an alicorn."

The mare slowly got off from her throne, speaking in a warm, welcoming voice that contradicted with her eyes.

"Welcome, travelers, to our sanctuary and kingdom," she said, her refined, beautiful voice the envy of any masterful singer. "My name is Queen Lilac. Who you four are, however, is a mystery to me."

"Uh, well," Benedict stumbled through his words, obviously surprised by the whole 'wings' thing. "Well, I'm Benedict, that's Big Mac, that over there is Ellie, and next to me is-"

"Amethyst," the purple unicorn finished, the passive aggressiveness practically emanating from her tone in waves, similar to the 'alicorn's' confidence. She really made you feel so much lesser, somehow, especially Ellie with that fixed gaze.

The cold look evaporated, replaced by a welcoming one. "Well, hello then. May I ask how you came across here?"

"Er, we fell down a canyon, Thunder Gate."

"Oh, the other day? Oh, goodness, I am very sorry for Xerxes, I'm sure he didn't mean it." She rose a hoof to her chest, slightly bowing.

"Xerxes?" Ellie asked as the Queen Lilac trotted to the side of her throne.

"My pet dragon. Surely you saw him. Sweet little thing, he is."

Amethyst went wide-eyed. "Sweet?! The damned beast of bone nearly killed us, and its almost the size of this castle!"

"Oh, don't worry, he is sorry," she said reassuringly, but neither Ellie nor Amethyst bought it. Benedict and the buck next to him, however, were transfixed and gawking at the perfect mare.

"'He is sorry?' He's a damn thousand-feet dragon!" Amethyst said, Ellie unsure whether to agree or stay silent.

"Listen, I am quite sorry, I really am, and I'm sure he didn't mean it." She perked up, and it seemed like she just had an idea. "Oh, what if I hosted a feast for all of us, and gave you all temporary residences in the castle? I'm sure that we can all get this sorted out tomorrow morning, but you all look famished."

Benedict suddenly came out of his daze, raising a claw. "Please Your Highness, you don't have to-"

"No, I insist," she said, Amethyst and Ellie both gazing at him. He's only known this suspicious so-called 'Queen' for a couple minutes, but he and Big Mac are already bowing down to her, calling her 'Your Highness!'

"Snowdrop, Ice Skates? Please direct our guests to the grand dinner hall, and I will be there in a moment."

"Yes, Your Highness!" they both said in unison, turning to Ellie and her companions before marching forwards, what now seemed like a forced smile plastered on his face. As they were led away from the courtyard and into another brightly-lit hall, Ellie and Amethyst stayed together. They didn't need to talk to know what the other was thinking: this isn't right.

God chuckled dryly in the back of her head, not saying anything more.