The Guard's Tale

Chapters

Chapter Two: Finding Freedom
Chapter Three: Voyage of the Pelican
Chapter 4: The Battle of Sandee River
Chapter Five: Facing the Past
Chapter One: Welcome to the Guard

Chapter Two: Finding Freedom

I awoke before the sun, the record player clicking slowly on the end grove. Obsidian was sleeping soundly on my chest, still a contented smile on her face. At some point of the night I had laid back, and a generous part of her girth rested on top of me. I gently kissed to tip of her ear, seeing it twitch and hearing her coo softly in her sleep. I knew the sun would be up soon, so I tried to lift her gently, so I could get back to my room but in an absurd moment I realized that I couldn't. Here I was, trapped under the beautiful, content mare, at her mercy until she chose to awake. I Laughed to myself, this was one of the most bizarre predicaments I ever found myself, imprisoned by an adorable jailer.

Abruptly Obsidian's deep blue eyes opened, as if somepony flipped a switch and awoke her and her entire body jerked just in time for me to hear a bugler play in the hall, waking us up for duty.

"Good morning," She said as she stood up.

"Morning," I returned, "That's a neat trick, waking up right before the bugler,"

Obsidian stepped into her shower, and I heard the water running. "You'll be able to do it too if you've been in the guard as long as I have. Hey, get in here,"

I reluctantly complied, showering with mares in Saddle Arabia was against the law, even if it was commonplace here. In the small, steamy bathroom Obsidian stood under the warm water, her ink-black wet mane running over her shoulders like a river of shadow. I stepped into the stream of warm water and allowed It to wash over me. We stepped out of the shower and tossed a towel Into my face, as I endeavored to dry my long mane.

"I, had a really good time last night," I admitted,

"And you didn't even get any," She said with a gentle laugh.

I almost spoke what I was thinking, looking at Obsidian's shapely flanks, the water from the shower still glistening on her rump. I realized it was better not to.

"It was still nice, regardless." I said.

"I had fun too." She said, "But today you're being presented to the princess. . .so concentrate."

"Right," I agreed, finding it quite difficult to do so as Obsidian wiggled herself into her toga. "I've looked forward to meeting the princess my entire life,"

"She's really sweet," Obsidian said. "A few years ago I got bit by a timber wolf," She said, holding out a leg to show the scar, "The Princess actually visited me in the infirmary, then wrote me these letters telling me that I was important and I needed to get better."

"Amazing," I said, smiling distantly, "The Tajir, were just a bunch of greedy rich ponies who didn't care. Now I have the chance to serve. . .a Goddess of light,"

"Now, you should know she hates being called that," Obsidian said. "She's immortal, really powerful, but in a lot of ways she's just like us. She's just lived long enough to know how to take care of ponies."

I grinned, "What else is a Goddess but that?" I said,

"You got yourself a princess crush or something?" Obsidian asked.

I grinned shyly, "Not, like that. I just . . .always wanted to serve a cause worth serving."

"Wow," Obsidian said, "I guess I just take my job for granted, when you put it like that it makes me feel a lot better about what I do."

We looked into one another's eyes, almost sharing a kiss but thinking better of it, we were on duty after all.

"I better powder my coat," I said, pushing the door open on my way to the hall,"

"I'll see you at breakfast," Obsidian said, "I hope you'll sit with me."

"Sure, what do they serve on Fridays?"

"Oatmeal and peach cobbler,"

"Sounds good," I said.

"Prepare to be surprised," She said with a grin.

---*---

Once we got to the mess hall I found she was right. The oatmeal had the consistency of paste and the clobber was sweet, but it tasted as if it was made the day before. Of all the unprecedented luxuries of life in the Royal guard I was surprised how bland the food was. Not terrible, just bland. I imagined that there was some universal law that decreed that without exception military food had to be bland at best. We were both hungry, and having been taught by Obsidian how peaceful silence could be, we ate without words, sharing the glance Every few moments as we sipped our coffee.

Just was we were halfway through our meal we saw Four Speed and Morning Blast walk up to our table, Blast pointing at the two empty chairs and looking at Obsidian. The mare paused, and nodded. The two sat.

"Morning Windjammer," Four Speed said,

"Morning Guys," I said.

"Morning Obsidian," Morning Blast said.

Obsidian smiled and bowed her head in response.

"Oh come on, I heard you were talking now!" Morning Blast said.

"We've known you for years and never heard a peep," Four Speed said, "And Windjammer here, with his schoolboy good looks shows up and you talk his ear off, that's not fair."

"Sure you can't just give us one little good morning?" Morning blast asked,

"Sorry, but no." Obsidian said, meekly.

All four of us shared a hearty laugh,

"That's what you sound like?" Four speed said, his wings extending in surprise. "That's bucking adorable!"

Obsidian blushed, "Stop it," she said.

"Here I was thinking you sounded like a griffon power lifter or something," Four speed said, "You're like a jumbo Fluttershy,"

"I can confirm she can't sing very well," I joked,

"Neither can you!" Obsidian shot back.

"Let me get this strait,"Four speed asked as he pulled a bag of sugar from his tunic, adding som to his Oatmeal, "One of the prettiest mares in the whole guard asks you back to her room and all you do is sing a duet?"

"Further than you'll ever get," Obsidian said with a wink.

"And you're sassy," Four speed said, "I'm learning all kinds of new things about you."

"You never once spoke to those guys?" I asked.

"No," Obsidian said. "But, they talk to me and I listen. Morning Blast here is very sweet, very calm, but when he gets mad no enemy on the planet can stand up to him. He sends some of his pay to his sister because he worries about her and her pottery business"

Morning Blast shrugged, "The price of Clay is going up, I don't want her to go out of business,"

"Four Speed, well he's in the guard because he think mares like a stallion in armor, but he's loyal and one of the best swords ponies in the guard since his father is a fencing teacher. He got his cutie mark pulling a cart for his uncle's freight business. He's got a thing for bat-ponies too, thinks their the cutest thing around."

"Hey that's a secret!" Four speed said with mock offense, "And I'm not just in the guard for the mares, I also like the coffee,"

"It's better than the Oatmeal," Morning Blast added.

"I know you would probably prefer to go to tree and k-I-s-s-I-n-g after we're off duty tonight," Four Speed joked, "But tonight, after the Presentation, why don't you two come by the NCO Club so we can celebrate properly, okay?"

"We have tomorrow off so we don't have to worry about waking up early," Morning bast said.

"What do you mean, we have tomorrow off?" I asked.

"Third platoon has Saturday off," Obsidian said,

"What do we do on our day off?"

"Sleep in," Four speed said around his coffee.

"Go shopping," Morning Blast said. "I don't know, whatever you want."

"You didn't get days off when you were a legionnaire?" Obsidian asked.

"No," I said, realizing it myself. "I mean, sometimes we'd get a little time to ourselves, we sometimes went on leave,"

"Well, the Royal guard is supposed to keep bad things from happening." Morning Blast said. "If things are quiet and we have nothing to do, it means we're doing things right."

"In the Legion we looked for trouble," I said, remembering. "Most of the time we caused it, but we were indentured to the Tajir we had to do what they said."

"I heard you talk about them before," Obsidian said, "Who are the Tajir?"

"The Merchant class of Saddle Arabia," I explained, "They run the entire Economy."

"It's been a while since cultures class in school, but thought the Sheiks controlled Saddle Arabia," Morning blast said.

"It's complicated, but the Tajir kind of operate by their own rules." He said. "As long as they pay their taxes they Sheiks can't to anything to stop them from taking ponies like my father and my brothers into indentured servitude. I escaped but my father is still there. He works in the oil fields, but the Tajir charge him for food, housing and cloths, and each year he and my brothers wind up Further in debt."

"These Tajir guys sound like grade-a scumbags," Four speed said,

"That can't be legal, we should tell somepony," Morning Bas said.

"There is nothing that can be done, the Tajir control the courts" I said, "But I can pay the Tajir for my family's freedom. After a year or so he'll have the money and he can move back to his old place in Kaleel, with Mom."

"Your Mom ain't . . .indentured like your Dad?" Four speed asked.

"No, my mother is full-blooded Saddle Arabian and they can't be servants according to the law." He said. "Only Equestrian ponies, or half-breeds like me and my brothers. She tried everything to free Dad and my brothers, but she can't even see him until he's free. The Tajir control all the courts."

My reminiscing seemed to have soured the mood a the table. The others were sharing different emotions. Obsidian looked sad, Morning Blast seemed to be fighting a rising anger, Four speed rubbed his chin, trying to think of a way to help me but rapidly becoming frustrated as he could think of noting. While my life was tragic I hated to bring down the mood, I searched my memory for a happy memory, anything that could assure everypony my life wasn't one long series of unfortunate events.

"I have good memories of my mother." I said, "Even if I haven't seen her since I was little. They don't have Hearth's Warming Eve in Saddle Arabia, but my Dad didn't want my brothers and I to forget Equestria so we put on our own Little pageant. My brothers and I always fought over who got to be commander hurricane, I usually ended up being princess platinum but. . .i made it work. My mother Jamila made almond cake since she never learned how to make Equestrain sweets, it was wonderful though. We did't have money for gifts so Dad taught us to carve wood so we all made our own toys out of bits of scrap wood we found and we'd exchange them. My mother still has every last one we ever made her, every misshapen zebra and crooked tree."

I realized I had tears in my eyes, as they started to run down my cheeks.

"We had a good life." I heard myself say, "And nothing can make up for all the time lost. . .but now that I'm here I can free my family, and I will."

"Royal Guards stick together," Four Speed declared, banging a hoof on his chest, "So if there is anything we can do to help, you have us on your side.

"It's just a matter of time, before I set them free." I said, "But, nonetheless . .Thank you."

---*---

After practicing the ceremony, lunch, an hour or two on patrol, the time had come. I made sure my coat was still a brilliant white, slipped into my bright red dress uniform, and was headed for the palace for my audience with the princess, the Moment I'd been waiting for. Just outside the Hall of the palace, Obsidian, in her full Line Breaker armor offered to brush out my mane, as It had become tanged underneath my helmet from the day's patrol.

This was the first time I'd ever seen Obsidian in her full suit of armor, it was impressive. Line breakers were meant to charge into formations and break them up using brute strength. Because of this the armor covered her head to foot, nothing showing but her bright eyes though her helmet's visor, and even those would be covered when she pulled down the eye guard. It was decorated with detailed engravings of Suns and landscapes, just as it was beautiful it was intimidating, especially with the leather scabbard of a massive broadsword along her side. Obsidian was large without the armor and in it she appeared almost like an invincible giant From another world. I was surprised I ever had to courage to fight her, or for that matter kiss her.

"You look great," She said, her voice muffled by the helmet.

I turned my head up to kiss the breaths of her helmet, she touched my shoulder gently.

"You have an appointment with your princess, you ready?"

"Yeah," I said, embarrassed at a squeak in my voice.

Obsidian giggled, and whispered in my ear "You'll do fine."

We entered the red-carpeted hall of the palace, there was Four Speed, Morning Blast and Starshine wielding their spears and they fell in line with the other guards present. Obsidian stood in front of them with her fellow line breakers, some almost as big as her. I stepped to my place pace at the forefront and focussed on the doors to the throne room. Sonambula joined our little formation, standing next to me, his own armor festooned with a large banner that came from his back.

"Don't be nervous, Windjammer." He said, "Just follow the routine."

"I've waited my entire life for this moment," I said.

"You'll do fine," Sonambula said. "And. . .don't kiss her hoof,"

I smiled to myself, "I was warned about that one Master Sergeant,"

I heard the herald call my name. A week ago I was hiding under a bridge and eating a turnip stem I found in the garbage and today my name was being spoken by a royal herald in the throne room of a Princess. Then, the doors open and I saw her, there on her throne, her animate mane surrounded her like an aura of color and her entire body seemed to glow in the sunlight being cast through the stained glass in a thousand new colors I never thought I would see. I heard the trumpet, and put one hoof in front of another, marching on that red carpet and hearing the clank and clatter of the line breakers behind me. Captain shining armor stood at the side of the throne, his wife who's name escapes me looking on. The couple both smiled as I entered, and the pink Alicorn leaned to speak to her husband as he nodded. I had the sinking suspicion she was talking about me, which I guess wasn't unusual since I was being presented to the princess. The detail stuck in my memory, but I never figured out what it was about.

I struggled to steady my breath as I bowed, presented my sword and spoke my oath.

"My Princess, Monarch of the sun, ruler of Equestria, I offer you my sword and my life to you, to serve you and protect you, to stand by you, to speak of you with reverence, and to stand against all your enemies until I meet a glorious end in your service."

"I, Princess Celestia, do hereby accept your oath, Windjammer." She said. "Serve me with integrity, Wisdom and compassion. Rise, Royal guard."

I stood and saluted along with the rest of the guard behind me. Then there was a few seconds where I was worried I had missed something, Sonambula never really told me what to do after the Princess Accepted my oath.

"Windjammer, how are you finding life in the guard so far?"

I was dumbfounded, with the weight of the world on her shoulders she seemed interested in me, a lowly sergeant in her guard.

"Very good, your Majesty."

"I do hear complaints about the food,"

There as a bit of laughter from the guard behind me.

"Compared to most military food it's positively Gourmet" I said.

The princess Smiled broadly. Which made me realize I just tried to crack a joke in front of the princess.

"If you have any problems, do not hesitate to pass me a message. Or bring them up with shining armor. I appreciate the sacrifices my guards make to protect me, and I will do my best to make you comfortable."

"You are most generous, your majesty."

I heard a distinctive clip cop of hooves on he marble floor leading to the throne room, as two frantic voices shouted. I recognized both voices were shouting in saddle-Arabian, but two fast for me to pick up what exactly they were saying.

"Princess! You cannot allow this farce!" One shouted.

"Your majesty! I'm sorry, I tried to stop him!"

I saw two ponies, both dressed in Saddle Arabian robes entering the throne room. The one closest to me I recognized instantly as a Tajir, his robes were a deep purple, trimmed with white, a large gold medallion festooning his neck. Aside from what he was wearing I knew him to be Tajir became of his considerable girth and perfectly round face. Without fail the Tajir carried the extra weight of their wealth and their Taste for rich foods. The second seemed familiar but I wasn't sure where I'd seen him, he was tall and thin, his coat a dappled grey, an he wore a white turban on his head decorated with a milky white gem of a royal office.

"Princess Celestia, I am Al-Abalah of the Tajir," He said charging toward the throne. "I demand that-"

The portly Tajir was interrupted by half a dozen spear tips dangerously close to his face as the guard in the room blocked his path. Al-Abalah's eyes widened and he could not speak.

"Your Majesty," the turbaned pony said Bowing, "A thousand Apologies, I was meeting with this brute in the Embassy and when he heard that Windjammer was saying his oath today and next thing I know he rushed in here, despite my many protests."

"It is forgiven Count Valeris, you are my ambassador to Saddle Arabia and this man's actions are not your fault."

"Sonambula, take this intruder to the dungeon and interrogate him," Shining Armor said,

"Hold," Princess Celestia said, raising a hoof. "He seems quite concerned about something, and I will hear him."

"Thank you your Majesty," Al-Abalah said with a shallow bow.

"Rest assured, any more breaches of Protocol will not be tolerated,"

The guards backed off, resting on their spears but all of them were staring at the Tajir, ready to spring into action at a moment. I had no doubt he wound't have been treated gently on his way to the dungeon.

"My Princess, know that I do not blame you for welcoming this infidel into your ranks, for like all his kind he is wily and a trickster, and you did not know of his devious nature."

"Are you speaking of Windjammer?" The Princess said, "I've found him quite delightful, why do you slander him so?"

"This pony is Deserter! He left the ranks of the Legion without paying off his debt! He was not permitted to leave the country, and his oath to you is fraudulent!"

I couldn't take it anymore, the threat of being sent back was enraging me, "General Sadil gave me my freedom for the battle of Juan-dar,"

"The General had no authority to free you!" Al-Abalah shouted, stepping toward me. "You defected and that adds to your debt! I should have you beaten!"

"You lay a hoof on him I'll break you in half," Morning Blast said, suddenly at my back.

"This Stallion is my rightful Property!" Al-Abalah said back.

"You're a fraud and everypony here knows it!" Four-speed shouted,

Obsidian stepped between me and Al-Abalah, and I swore I could hear her growling under that armor.

"Everypony be calm," The Princess said. "We will never be able to settle this if all we do is shout and threaten."

The Princess paused, looking back and forth to assure herself that everyone was calm before she spoke.

"Count Valeris, I am unfamiliar with the laws regarding indentured servitude in your country, and I thought that we'd throughly vetted Windjammer and found him to be free of it,"

"We did your majesty, we checked with General Sadil and he assured use that Windjammer had paid back his debt, but I'm afraid that the word of a Tajir supersedes the word of the General."

"Indeed your Majesty," Al-Abalah cut in. "Windjammer's family has been indentured to me for decades and despite working for me for all that time they have not gotten close to paying off their debts,"

"Perhaps you could explain to me how they could have worked for you and fallen further into your debt,"

"You must understand your Majesty," Al-Abalah said, as if he were explaining something to a child. "These ponies have to be housed, clothed and fed, and we must charge them for these services. Sadly many of these ponies are unskilled with money and wind up spending far more than they earn."

"So, what you're talking about is Slavery," Shining armor offered,

"Slavery is such a crass word for what we do," The Tajir said, "Slaves are slaves for life, our indentured workers are free to leave as soon as they pay off their debts, but we are willing to support them for as long as they remain in our service."

"How very Benevolent of you," Shining armor said Angrily,

"Thank you, Captain, we try to be merciful to the poor wretches." The Tajir said, not catching the Sarcasm.

"Al-Abalah please give me a moment to consult count Valeris on how to hand this matter." Princess Celestia said, sharing a hushed conversation with the count.

Al-Abalah stood in front of me, glaring into my eyes. "Windjammer, look at you, daring to stand before royalty, wearing that uniform like you somehow have earned it, this is an Insult!, if you do not cooperate with me I assure you there will be consequences."

"There is nothing you can do to me that is worse than what you've already done,"

"Oh really?" Al-Abarah said with a scowl, "Perhaps I've been to easy on your family, maybe your brothers are more suited for cleaning out cesspits, or I could put your father to work in the Sulfur Mines, how long would an elderly pony like him last in those stinking poisonous mines I wonder?"

I focussed on not speaking, if I was sure if I spoke again it would be roar of anger and frustration. If there was nothing Celestia could do, I would return to that life I had so hoped to leave behind. My father would die before seeing mother again, my brothers would never know this freedom. And Obsidian, after meeting a pony that truly understood me, that I could have made a life with in a better world. . . I would never see her again. She was to good to be with a slave or a pauper and that was my life. Then again, if there was one thing life had taught me, is that the world was indifferent to my happiness. I should have known that cruelty was what was rewarded in this world; and the Tajir were so much more cruel than any pony else.

"Al-Abalah," Princess Celestia Finally said. "What am I to Saddle Arabia?"

"Your Majesty, you hold no power in my homeland, you are a foreign monarch."

"Not Politically, where do I stand in your religious pantheon?"

The Tajir looked confused, "You are The first daughter of Cosmos the All-Father and Goddess of the sun and Morning, what does this have to with-"

"You say I have no power in your Homeland? Well I am lead to understand that a Deity in Saddle Arabia is capable of issuing a holy edict, known in your language as a 'fatwa' it supersedes all other laws and is not revocable as long as I'm alive, which will be a long time."

"That is true your Majesty," Al-Abalah stated matter-of factly "But a Fatwa cannot apply to an individual, or a family. You cannot use a Fatwa to free Windjammer, they must apply to everypony or no one."

"Oh I see," The Princess said. "So I cannot use a Fatwa to free Windjammer, I can only use one to free all the indentured. Thank you so much for clarifying that."

"Wait. . ." The Tajir began, his eyes wide with terror.

"Count Valeris, take this down," Celestia said, "I, Celestia DelSol, first daughter of Cosmos the All-father, goddess of the sun, do hereby decree that the practice of indentured servitude is hereby forbidden in all the world, and furthermore all who are indentured shall be released immediately and paid reparations in the amount of their debt. So let it be written, so let it be done."

Count Velaris dutifully wrote down the edict, holding it to Celestia for her to sign.

"Your Majesty, this is outrageous!" The Tajir shouted, "Release the workers? Pay them reparations? ThIs is not done! The Tajir will not abide this!"

"Well, that's your choice," The Princess said, "Count Valeris, what is the penalty for defying a Fatwa?"

"Beheading, your Majesty."

"Really? That seems a little extreme but it is what it is," She said with a shrug, "Obsidian? I believe your broadsword will do the job,"

Obsidian drew her broadsword and advanced on the Tajir who backed away and started to whimper. We all knew the princess would never allow an execution but Al-Abalah didn't know that, and we all stifled laugher as the portly pony begged for his miserable life.

"Mercy Princess! Mercy please!"

"Al-Abalah don't struggle or Obsidian may miss, It's been a while since I've seen a beheading but trust me, you want this done in one clean swipe."

"No! Please, we can discuss this,"

"Obsidian, stand down." Celestia said, turning her attention back to Al-Abalah. "As far as I can tell, the decision has been made."

"Count Valeris, this will ruin the Tajir, we will be bankrupt! You must take action!"

The Count raised an eyebrows and slowly turned to the Tajir, as if he'd forgotten he was there.

"The Sheiks and my house have been trying to rid Saddle Arabia of your stain for a thousand years, no tears would be shed for you. The action we will take will likely be a celebration."

"Count, send this edict to your contacts in the palace Immediately, I want the word spread."

"Yes your Majesty," Count Valeris said with a bow before he trotted out of the room.

"Princess Celestia we should-"

"Do we have any further business?" Celestia interrupted with a furrowed brow,

"I believe we should discuss-"

"No, we have nothing more to discuss," the princess Said. "Starshine, Four Speed, Remove this . . .instigator from my presence."

The two Guards grabbed Al-Abalah by the shoulders, leading him out of the room.

"If you feel like resisting, please Do," I heard Four Speed say, as they left the room, "I'd love the excuse."

"I need to speak with Windjammer Privately for a moment." The princess stated, everypony but her and I clearing the throne room At the order.

"Windjammer, I want you to know that I've been well aware of the crimes done to you and your family and I've been waiting for the best time to use my power of Holy edict to free my citizens that have been unjustly taken by the Tajir. This was it. I detest using my position in the pantheon to make such demands but I had not choice. Would I have been able this would have been done some time ago, I ask you forgive me for the delay."

"I am eternally in your debt my Princess," I said breathlessly,

"No, you are in no one's debt." The princess clarified. "And I know you doubtless grew up regarding me as divine. I insist to you that I am not. I only wish for your service, never your worship."

"But you are divine, you are benevolent, you put my well being before yourself,"

"And that is because of who I am, not because I am I goddess. I ask that you do not trade your slavery to the Tajir for slavery to me. Do your duty, but most of all I insist on do what makes you most happy. This is how you can make me happy. Just be yourself, and I am sure you'll do fine."

I didn't understand, but I knew there was a reason she was telling me this. She didn't want slaves, she didn't want blind followers or worshipers. She wanted ponies who chose to follow her grace, who did so because they wanted to. I asked myself then, why was I doing this? Was it for me, or her? And if it was for me. . .was that selfishness or altruism?

"Your Majesty, I'm here because I want to chance to fight for a good cause, and be rewarded for helping other ponies instead of being punished for it. I consider it an honor to serve you."

The Princess stood. "Then I am delighted to have you in my service Windjammer."

---*---

I was alive, taking long, deep breaths of the evening air and feeling as if every day before this I was choked, fearful of tomorrow. This was the first time I ever looked forward to he next day, things were getting better instead of worse. The changing of the guard was more beautiful that night, the sound of the trumpets, the marching ponies in sun steel armor under the orange light of the sunset. My hungry eyes took it in, it was a sign of a better life ahead of not just me,but my father, my brothers, and my mother who would be reunited and the Tajir who have been the source of my suffering would soon be bankrupt and forgotten.

I left the ceremony and returned to the day room and removed my armor, and obsidian and I showered together again, this time in my room. She informed me that Royal guards only powdered their coats if they were wearing partial armor. She was never required to do it but she did sweat a lot in her armor. As she left the shower she spotted the picture of my family in the window, which I popped up with a piece of tile I found in the bathroom.

"This your Dad?" Obsidian asked.

"Yeah,"

"Wait until he hears about what the Princess did," Obsidian said, slipping the ribbon on her tail.

"I'm still not sure I believe it." I said, "I don't have any idea how he'll react, he never let my brothers and I give up hope."

"I think tonight, celebration is in order." Obsidian said, "Maybe we should go by the club,"

"Maybe we should," I said, "Would you like to be my date?"

"Oh, so we're dating now," she joked.

"Well, if that works for you it works for me." I said,

"Let's see how you behave on our first date," Obsidian said, walking next to me and bumping me with her backside, almost knocking me out of the door. "Then maybe we'll see if you have another."

The NCO Club on a military base is usually a bar where enlisted personnel can relax after a hard day, it's usually a fully functioning bar. Since the palace wasn't a full fledged military base the NCO club wasn't a full bar, more like a clubhouse. It was in some kind of outbuilding near the walls that might have started it's life as a storage shed or a barn but at some point somepony moved in a pool table, a jute box, a few tables and couches and a couple of coolers. There was no bar, just a few coolers and cabinets where ponies grabbed their own drinks. The coolers were stocked by the guards themselves, buying whatever drinks and snacks they enjoyed and storing them in the club. Several bottles of liqueur that ponies had purchased on far flung assignments sat on crude wooden shelves along with random shot glasses and mugs. A barrel of ale, cider or beer (I wasn't sure) sat on it's side, tapped for ponies to drink from. The wall had pictures of guards and their families, recruitment posers and a bit of graffiti, Along with a neon sign that displayed the guard's motto "Always Ready" that flickered and buzzed, casting an orange light around the room. Though a few letters had gone out so it instead read "A ways R eady".

Sonambula sat near the juke box, reading a book and nursing a bottle of beer. Starshine was laying on her back on one of he couches, levitating a magazine above her head while munching on an Apple. Obsidian and I spotted Four Speed and Morning Blast at a table near the pool table, Four Speed with his foreleg around the shoulders of a purple bat pony who leaning on him giggling at something the stallion just said. There were a few chunks of cheese with stacks of crackers at the center of the table and a few pieces of bread with plates of dipping oil, simple pub food. Add a few olives and a bowl of dates and you'd find the same kind of thing in pubs all over Saddle Arabia.

"Windjammer! The Stallion of the hour!" Morning Blast said "Grab a bottle and sit down!"

I compiled, grabbing a random bottle of liquor off the shelf, handing it to morning blast and he poured five glasses, though he stumbled a bit, having obviously started without me.

"A toast!" He said. "To Windjammer, who freed the oppressed, and seduced the mighty Obsidian!"

"We didn't do anything," Obsidian laughed,

"Okay, so one of many stations who totally struck out with Obsidian!" He said drawing a laugh from the table.

We all drank in unison, then all gagged in unison as the powerful liqueur burned all the way down our throats.

"What the buck was that?!" The petite bat pony asked around her extended tongue.

I looked at the bottle, there was a picture of a muscular griffon wilding a massive battle axe ringed by fire, and writing in a foreign language.

"I have no idea," I Admitted. "I don't read Griffon."

Four Speed snatched the bottle from me, taking a swig directly from the bottle. "I think this is furniture cleaner," He said as he coughed, "Or Kerosine,"

"It's griffon fire whiskey," Star shine said from the couch, "Last time I drank that stuff something hit me in the side of the face and it turned out to be the floor."

"Let me get you folks a chaser," The Bat pony said, standing and giving Four speed a peck on the cheek, "What are you all drinking?"

"Whatever isn't that," Obsidian said.

"I'll have Ale, Nebula." Four Speed said,

"Ale all around! It's a good batch this week!" Morning Blast said.

I would learn later that there was a very old tradition that went all the way back to the founding of the guard. When the economy was distressed and The Princess was broke, she paid her bodyguard with a barrel of ale per week. The guard was happy to serve and would have done it for free, but they nonetheless appreciated the boon. When the treasury was big enough to allow the princess to pay her guard in gold, she considered it a raise but still provided them with a barrel of ale every week. Though the ale was donated by local breweries nowadays, first given to the princess who always passed it on to the guard.

I usually didn't like to drink, I was unaccustomed to it as alcohol was forbidden in the Saddle Arabia, but I was away from the sheik's laws now and one Ale likely wasn't enough to make me sick. As Nebula set down the large wooden mug I sipped it, I wasn't sure if it was good ale or bad ale but I liked it. Where I had sipped, Obsidian downed her entire mug in three gulps and grabbed a hunk of bread to take a bite that removed half the loaf. I found myself wondering how the Princess managed to feed this mare.

"Nebula, I've never met you before. Are you in the guard?" I asked.

"I'm in the Nocturne Guard," She said, "We serve Princess Luna. You wouldn't have met me because we're on different shifts."

"Nebula and I don't get a chance to get together a lot," Four Speed said, "But she's something else, so I try to make it work."

"What's Princess Luna like?" I asked.

Nebula thought, "She's loud," she said. "But, she treats us pretty well."

"Hey Obsidian, while you're being verbal, care to tell us where you got that scar on your leg? We always wondered." Morning Blast asked.

Obsidian was up refilling her mug, but turned to answer. "Timber wolf," She explained.

"Bet that was the worst day of that Timber wolf's life," Four speed laughed.

"It was," Obsidian said.

Nebula stood and lifted her tunic, showing a modest scar, "Check this, I got this from dragon fire!"

"Impressive, but look at this," I said, pulling the front of my tunic down, revealing the scars there "I once stopped to wash my face in a river and a crocodile bit me in the chest,"

"Ouch!" Obsidian said. "How did you get out of that one?"

"I just pulled it off, it was. . .a baby," I said with a humble laugh.

The table laughed for a moment, the sweet warmth of the alcohol making everything just a touch more funny. Four Speed slammed down his newly empty mug, struggling to his hooves.

"You wanna see a scar?" He offered, "I'm gonna show you the best scar you've ever seen,"

Morning Blast shook his head, "No they don't wanna see it, Four Speed,"

"Check this out!"

The Stallion pulled up his tunic and set his backside on the table causing the glasses and bottles to clink and clatter.

"Now if you can ignore my beautifully sculpted glutes," Four Speed stammered, "You will see TWO arrow scars, that I got defending the princess,"

"Get your ass off the table!" Nebula laughed,

"Windjammer! Look! Isn't it amazing?"

"I see it!" I said, laughing so hard I could barely form words,

Just then Morning Blast picked up a wooden tray off the table, smacking it across Four-speed's rump creating a surprisingly loud Smack, Four Speed stumbled forward rubbing his reddening rear and waddling away from the table. I was laughing so hard I almost choked on my ale.

"Hey! Stow that horseplay!" Sonambula shouted from around his book, "I won't have you guys making a mess in here,"

"Just showin' 'em my butt scars!" Four speed said,

"We've all seen them, Four speed." Sonambula said rolling his eyes. "Now Simmer down, all of you."

"Yes Master Sergeant," We chorused.

"Is this place always this rowdy?" I asked Obsidian,

She laid her head on my shoulder, I braced myself to keep it from toppling my chair. "Yeah, see why I never come in here?"

I sipped my ale, stroking her mane. "It's all about the company," I said, "So I don't mind."

Obsidian giggled around her upturned mug as she drank.

"I gotta apologize my man," Four Speed said, "When I first met you I figured you were like most Saddle Arabian Stallions."

"How so?" I asked, Even though I knew what he was referring too I wanted to see him explain it.

"You know," Four speed said, "Like. . .you walk on the other side of he fence,"

"If you mean I prefer stallions to mares, no. I prefer beautiful mares." I said, casting a glance to Obsidian. "That's not to say that in the past I haven't met a few handsome, adventurous colts."

"And I'm betting you were the Adventure," Nebula said with a fanged smile.

"Well," I said, feeing a blush on my cheeks, "It's not like me to kiss and tell."

Obsidian giggled, "You just drop clues shamelessly," she said.

"Okay, you don't have to say anything," Morning Blast interjected, "I know exactly how it went down,"

"Oh do you?" I said.

Morning blast took a long gulp from his mug before he spoke "Yeah, I learned about Saddle Arabian gay love from a very reliable source!"

"A stallion?" Four speed asked,

"No, a paperback novel I got at a train station," he said, as it explained everything "Now, there's this handsome young prince, Jaleel, best looking guy in the land with a rump that won't quit,"

"I like it so far!" Nebula said raising her mug.

"Now, he's got everything he wants, wealth, fame, but his father wants to force him into a loveless arranged marriage with an ugly daughter of a merchant,"

"Poor boy," Obsidian said with an exaggerated pout, "What will he do?"

"He finds happiness only in the arms of his bodyguard, Windjammer!" He said extending his hooves to me as if presenting me to a crowd, "He kept the prince warm on the cold desert nights, and taught him the ways of passion!"

"Oh my!" Obsidian said,

"Way to go Windjammer!" Nebula said, "Bringing happiness to that poor prince,"

"Is that how it really goes down In the desert?" Four Speed asked,

"No, Nothing like that at all." I said with a smirk.

Everypony seemed a little disappointed until I continued.

"He wasn't a prince, he was the son of a Maquis, and his name was Cassius."

The entire table, minus Obsidian who was laughing into her hooves, roared and stood up,

"A toast to the Bucker of Princes!" Four Speed shouted.

"Prince bucker! Prince Bucker! Prince Bucker!" Four Speed, Morning Blast, and Nebula chanted, slamming their hooves into the table, causing several Empty bottles to clatter to the floor and break. I found myself hoping the ponies had drank enough that they wouldn't remember the nickname come morning.

"Cut it out!" Sonambula said, having walked over to our table. "You trying to wake the princess?"

"But did you hear that Windjammer-"

"Well good for him," Sonambula said, "Now I think you all had enough, this is last call."

"Aww come on," Four Speed said.

"It's still Early!" Morning Blast whined.

"Finish your drinks, and eat some bread to soak it up," Sonambula said, "Then I expect you all to head back to your quarters."

"Yes Maser Sargent," Four speed said Stumbling toward the unicorn, "But I'm only doing it because you're so damn pretty,"

We all laughed,

Sonambula Smiled, "Don't Tease me, Private." He said.

"Come on, lemme just . . .braid your mane," he joked in slurred speech.

"You get my Motor running you better be willing to drive me home!" Sonambula said sitting back his his corner table.

Four Speed say and rested his head on Nebula's shoulder, as he finished his mug of ale. "Long days doing nothing, bad food, guys like Sonambula on your case all the time. Why did you want to be part of this two bit operation, Windjammer? You could teach fencing, be a bodyguard, be a Mercenary and make buckets of gold, You're free you could be anywhere you want, do anything you want,"

I smiled, holding Obsidian close to me, she seemed a little embarrassed by the affection but nuzzled me all he same.

"I want to be here," I said. "This is not ideal, but is the Princess so cruel a taskmaster?"

"No she is not." Morning Blast said, "She hates being called a goddess, but she owned that to free all those ponies, and rid a nation of an unfair system."

"She did do that," Four speed said, "And she did it, just for kindness, that's all. For that, I'd take a hundred arrows in the butt,"

We all laughed, and raised our nearly empty mugs.

"To the Princess," I said. "May we serve her half as well as she serves us."

"I'll drink to that," Obsidian said.

"Good night Fillies and Gentlecolts!" Sonambula said loudly enough to draw attention, nudging Star-shine who had fallen asleep on the couch under her magazine. "Let's call it a night and sleep it off."

"Come on Nebula, we can have a nightcap at my place,"

"Good night Maser Sergeant," I said as I passed,

"Good night Windjammer, You too Obsidian, take care of this Saddle Arabian lightweight, okay?"

"I'll make sure he gets home Master Sergeant,"

We trotted together back toward the Barracks, the full moon casting a silvery hue over the cobblestones.

"Did you really. . . With a price?" Obsidian asked.

She didn't seem jealous or disgusted, just curious.

"He was a Marquis son, like I said. And it as just," I struggled to find words. "Something I did on a whim. Honestly, I kind of regretted it afterward."

"Like you expected it to be amazing, but it was empty in the end."

I nodded. "Exactly like that."

We climbed the quiet dark stairs of the Barracks, and stood in the hall between our rooms.

"I had boyfriends in college, it was . . .fun but kind of disappointing once all was said and done,."

"That's usually the case, I said, the alcohol in my system making me warm, more honest. "But Obsidian, When you finally meet somepony worth being with the rest just seem like a waste of time."

I felt like a fool as soon as I said it, it was indeed what I felt, what I wanted to say but this was so soon. I wanted to have another night like last night, I wanted a hundred nights like that, but to say it. I turned up my eyes to see Obsidian looking back down at me with those brilliant blue eyes.

"Windjammer," She said clearly seemingly unaffected by her alcohol. "Come on in, I want to show you something."

I did, stepping into the dark room, my heart now beating like a hammer in my chest. She did me the service of ignoring what I'd just said but I'd Still opened myself to her. A kiss, an embrace, a deep friendship, all this was laid on the line and there was a strong chance I'd ruined it.

Obsidian lit a lantern on the wall, and moved her record player across the room, setting a black box on top of the record, setting it on the nightstand near the bed, sitting on the edge of the bed and motioning for me to join her.

"Lay down," Obsidian said with a bright smile, "This is cool,"

I had no idea what she was planning, but I compiled, laying on my back on the soft bed, realizing that it was custom built for Obsidian's size. The black coated mare laid gently on the bed beside me, laying her head on my chest, and snugging close to me, pulling a soft quilt up to our necks. With the large size of the bed and Obsidian's large form I Had the momentary feeling that I was Shrinking but that was mostly the alcohol. The big mare was warm and soft against me, and I couldn't resist embracing her as she nuzzled my neck. I felt like this was a moment I was longing for all my life without knowing it, a beautiful, kind mare in my embrace with little to do but hold each other. If only my words hadn't been so forward.

"Windjammer, you are the sweetest stallion I've ever Met," She said quietly, "I've never had Anypony say anything so kind, so I have to share this with you,"

I realized with relief that perhaps I hand't just made a fool of myself, that perhaps she felt the same way. Obsidian reached up and tuned off the lanterns, and turned on the record player. Gentle jazz music filled the room, and I saw the ceiling come alive with slowly rotating points of light, the box on top of the record player had a light inside, shining up though hundreds of tiny holes to make a star field on the ceiling of the room. It was, to say the least, Beautiful, It was as if we were holding one another in the night sky.

"I don't have Windows in my room," She said, nuzzling my chest. "So I made My own stars."

"It's Amazing," I said,

I she pulled my muzzle to her's and we shared a kiss far more passionate than before, deeper and more full. It was perfect, flawless, and I would have been content forever just knowing I could have shared that moment with someone. We parted our lips and she looked at me with a smile.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" She asked, snuggling close to my chest.

"Well, my bed doesn't have a big snuggly mare in it, no reason not to."

Obsidian giggled with joy, and we shared another deep kiss as we held each other with a passion I hadn't known before, our heartbeats matching and our breath growing heavy. And That, as it were. . .was all it took for my body to respond.

"Oooo, Windjammer," Obsidian said with wide eyes, giggling as she felt me against her; "You like my kisses that much?"

"Just kind of . . Happened,"

"It's okay," She said, giving me soft kisses where my jaw met my neck, "I was, having the same idea."

So, we made love that night. It was not like the others, not in any way at all. With all my other lovers, it was about the mutual need to be satisfied. There was an empty release and nothing afterward. With all my other lovers It was a selfish act. With Obsidian, it was about giving. I wanted to give her love, give her pleasure, and as much as I gave I got in return. Obsidan wanted me to feel as much as she did. So we gave, received and gave again, until both of us together reached the summit in a moment that I cannot accurately describe with simple words.

Everything was strange and new, we had just met yesterday and in that moment we came together as naturally as two drops of water on a rain-soaked window. Love was the only word I could possibly use but the world "love" is so cheap and shallow compared to how I felt. It was a world assigned the enviable task of describing something that by it's nature could not be described. What I can say, is that after we were done, and we shared that big warm bed, there was no doubt in my mind that I loved Obsidian, and no doubt that she loved me. Even if we hadn't found the courage to know the words or speak them aloud we were in love. When we drifted off to sleep, satisfied and exhausted it was the most restful sleep I'd had in decades.

----*----

Obsidian had now Windows to let in the morning sun, but I could see the sunlight in a sharp line under the door, creeping across her floor. Having not drank to much, I was suffering from no headache or dry mouth, but I was still drowsy, though I was convinced we both had slept later than we normally did. Obsidian was already away, yawning and blinking sleepiness from her eyes.

"Good morning," I said,

"Afternoon, Probably." Obsidian said, reaching over to flip on the Lanterns.

The star field on the ceiling was drowned out by the gas lantern's yellow light. While the room was bright, and the sun was up neither of us got out of bed just then. We snuggled close with the unanswered question in our minds: What now?

We had just shared everything, wordlessly declared our love, what came next? It was unexplored territory for me, Terra incognito, there was no frame of reference. Obsidian kissed me once, and seemed to have things figured out a bit more, answering the question I had no answer for.

"Breakfast," She said simply, sliding from under the quilt and flipping open a cabinet next to her bed.

"Yeah, I don't know why but I'm hungry," I said, feeling chilly as I threw off the covers.

"Well, we used a lot of energy last night," Obsidian giggled, lighting the fire in a small pot bellied stove she'd pulled from the cabinet.

"I did," I realized, "I, really liked that,"

Obsidan nodded, pulling a few eggs and slices of bread from her cooler.

"So did I." She said, knocking the bottom of an iron skillet to get the crumbs of the last meal out of it. "It was different,"

"Very different," I agreed.

Obsidan made a simple meal of eggs and fried bread, and warmed up some thick coffee for us to share. It was the strangest sensation, but seeing Obsidian cook for me made me think my my mother. Jamila was a very conservative Arabic mare, she belived a mares place was serving her family, she was caring a nurturing, the head of the household to be sure. We ate breakfast when she said it was time, we came and went with her permission, but she was always caring, always loving. Obsidian was cooking just because it was her home, not out of any matronly duty but It still reminded me of what I haven't had since the Tajir took my family away: A home.

The coffee was hot and warmed me up well though Obsidian preferred it black (Ironic, I know) so she had no cream or sugar, but she made it strong as well (also ironic) so it was bold and chased off the drowsiness. We ate our simple breakfast, the room filled with the words we were still avoiding. Forever there would be the time before we met, and the time after we met. We did not know what this meant, and the moment was so perfect I think both of us worried that this feeling was so fragile discussing it would chase it away. We were in love, and what that meant was unknown for now.

"You probably need to furniture," Obsidian said, changing the subject from what was not being said. "I know a place, stuff's used but it's not expensive. Sonambula has a cart we can borrow."

"I guess I could use a few things," I said, "I don't have any blankets. Probably could use a stove for winter. It'll be nice to see more of Cantelot."

"Furniture shopping," Obsidian laughed, "It's not a bad second date,"

"Well, if it's with you, I don't mind." I said.

Obsidian took a gulp of her coffee, "Well, let's go see Albedo. We have a standing day pass for town but we gotta sign out."

"Albedo douns't get the day off?"

Obsidian thought, "You know, I don't think I've ever seen him outside of his office."

We made our way to the day room to see Albedo in his office, behind the window, as always typing on his typewriter, now listening to a radio that was broadcast in the morning news. It seemed the only change the clerk made on his day off was the radio. Albedo grinned slyly at us as we appeared in the window. He seemed to know what was going on.

"Good afternoon," Albedo said with a raised eyebrows.

"Can we sign out?" I asked, returning his knowing smirk.

"Sure," Albedo said, "And Windjammer, you got a telegram from your father."

This surprised me, "A telegram? He can't afford a telegram,"

"You said he was named Mainsail? From Kaleel?"

"That's him,"

"Then this is from your father." Albedo said.

I took teletype page, I didn't read well so it took me a moment to read it, but what it said was confirmation that Princess Celestia's gambit had indeed worked. He said that with no explanation the night before, the Tajir marched through the Ghettos, throwing everypony out after giving them a bag of gold. He was a bit confused until my father saw news of the Fatwa in a newspaper's evening edition, and knew he was free.

The telegram continued my father and Brothers were currently trying to find my Mother, who had moved out of our old house and in with one of my aunts. I could tell just from the text, he was excited to see his wife again after 15 years. Obsidian was looking at me over the page with wide eyes, biting her lip in anticipation of the news,

"Dad's free," I said, "They're going to see mom,"

Obsidian giggled and lifted me in a big hug, "That's so wonderful!"

"It is!" I grunted, Obsidian hugging me a little harder than she intended. "It's finally over, whenever I get a furlough I can see my Mom,"

"I'm so happy for you, Windjammer," Obsidian said, holding me against her so hard my back cracked.

"Good news I assume," Albedo said with a broad smile.

"The best news," I said, "Albedo, cancel my pay transfer. It seems my father Is alright, No more ghetto, no more 12 hours days, things are going to get better from now on."

Obsidian pulled me in for a kiss, not caring that the room still had a number of idling guard ponies.

"Obsidian, I got something for you too," Albedo said, sliding a form out of the window. "I wish it was good news too, but it's just your run of the mill form.

Obsidian grabbed the form, glancing over it.

"It's an end of service review," Abedo said, "Just read it over and if all the records are correct sign it. You can also add a forwarding address if you know where you'll be staying after your discharge."

"Okay," Obsidian said. "I'll take a look a it."

The two of us were already out of the barracks and headed toward the gate with our day passes, before the gravity of this second bit of paperwork occurred to me.

"You're being discharged?" I asked.

"In a few weeks," Obsidian said,

"Were you. . .going to re-enlist?"

"I can't, I've already done two tours." Obsidian said with a shrug, "So I'm going to finish college, get my degree."

I stopped, causing the Big mare to stop herself, and look at me curiously, "What does this mean, you know. . .for us?" I asked.

Obsidian opened her mouth as if to speak, but said nothing as she thought.

"I mean, I like having you around," I said.

"Windjammer, I'm not sure. . . A week ago there was no us, so I haven't thought about it."

"I know," I said. "I would make no demands of you. . ."

"You never have, and everything we did was somthing I wanted as much as you," She said, "I don't know what we have Windjammer, I don't know why whenever I see you I smile, I don't know why I feel like I can tell you anything, when you came to my room last night, you said I was worth being with,"

"You are," I said.

"Just knowing that a pony like you could want me,"

She shrugged,

"I felt important for the first time, like I was't going to fade into the background my whole life. I don't know what we'll do. I just know, that I'm glad I met you, and I'm glad I'm here With you today."

I never thought I'd hear this quiet mare give a speech like that. It was like she said everything I'd been wanting to say. She had a way with words even if she rarely used them.

"We have a few weeks, that's plenty of time to figure things out." I said.

"You know, there aren't any stories that talk about what happened after a happy ending," Obsidian said with a laugh,

"Maybe they're aren't any endings,happy or otherwise" I offered, "Just one thing happening after another, with some happiness in there somewhere for those that are willing to look for it."

The big mare hugged me gently, "Well, I found you." She said.

"I'm glad you did," I said returning the hug.

Chapter Three: Voyage of the Pelican

I'd gotten myself into a decent routine after a full week of service, Sonambula selected me for an evening post on the wall, where I got a nice view of the road from the palace into town. Every morning I watched the Mail pony come to the front gate, as well as the newspaper delivery. In the distance I could make out the streets of Canterlot, and just make out ponies coming and going on the streets.

Obsidian and I would see each other whenever we could, she liked spending time in my room since I had Windows to look out on the night sky, though she barely fit into my average sized-bed, and feeling playful one night she jumped into the bed, breaking one of the legs. I had to put a discarded box underneath it to even it out, we had a good laugh at that one. Being alone with her was wonderful, but we spent a little time with Four Speed, Morning Blast and Star Shine, greeting them when we could, and I found them to be good ponies, whom I was happy to serve with. They continued to be amazed at how much Obsidian opened up,

Neither of us spoke about Obsidian's upcoming discharge, even though every day brought it closer. The subject was avoided and almost forgotten, but when somepony brought up Obsidian going back to college in Baltomare, or how soon she'd be leaving we both felt a pang of sadness. We weren't sure what we would do. . .or even if there was anything we should do other than drift apart. We avoided the topic, but every day worrying about it more and more.

Friday Morning, without explanation Sonmbula ordered Obsidian, me, Morning Blast, Star shine and Four Speed to follow him and we left the Palace grounds, walking t the streets of Canterlot. We were Joined by the other Line breakers in Osidian's squad, a trio of earth ponies I learned were aimed Bricker, Mason and Stonewall. As always, he never explained anything until we needed to know. We were standing in front of a low rent department store, not a fancy retail outlet like you'd find in he ritzy neighborhoods but more of a one-stop shop for run of the mill clothing and household goods. Sonambula turned to us and levitated a small certificate to each of us, it was in a typeface I couldn't read but I recognized the Royal seal near the bottom.

"Okay fillies and Gentlecolts, listen up!" The unicorn shouted. "Her Majesty Princess Celestia has been invited to go on the Maiden voyage of the Pelecan, Free Wind cruise lines brand new luxury airship. They mainly want to be able to claim real royalty has stayed in the Royal suite, but the princess likes to take break when she can, so she's going. Now, the cruise line doesn't want a bunch of armored soldiers stomping around the deck, but we will be going anyway."

"So we just fly alongside? We might get a bit tired carrying Obsidian and the boys around," Four speed joked, indicating the line breakers.

"No, smart guy, we're going covert. We will shadow the princess and keep an eye on her, but we're gonna be nondescript and quiet. Since the ship has a dress code, we're here to get you ponies some new outfits. Your mission today is to get yourself some spiffy new duds, these certificates entitle you a new outfit but don't go overboard. treasury isn't bottomless."

"What about you, Master Sargent?" Starshine asked.

"Corporal, I'll have you know I already own a suit, and It's sharp as hell." Sonambula said with a smirk, "Now let's move ponies,"

We stepped inside, the store with without frills, it was just racks of clothing and accessories on wooden racks. A modest selection of jewelry and accessories. I learned at some point that this modest department store was contracted to the palace to do all the staff's outfits and do alterations and tailoring for the Guard's dress uniforms. Few of the ponies buying belts and jackets here had any idea.

The entire unit soon found themselves swarmed by tailors and sales ponies, all of us being whisked away to fitting rooms to trying on a series out outfits. The petite unicorn who was helping me having me try on a number of suits and vests. At one point she heard me mention being half-saddle Arabian and had me try on a fancy turban, but I decided I looked silly, and went without a hat.

As I was putting the turban back on its stand I noticed a silver locket on the jewelry counter, and I thought of how it would look on Obsidian's neck. It seemed interesting,

I settled on a simple dark grey suit with a gold silk ascot to match my coat. I knew nothing about fashion but decided it would at least keep me nondescript..

Looking at myself in the three full-bodied mirrors I realized it was more than adequate, though the tailor insisted I add as sash. I'd never had a reason to wear anything this nice, and was pretty happy with how I looked.

"Yowza," I heard Obsidian say, "Look at you! I'm gonna have trouble keeping my eyes on the Princess,"

I turned to give a witty remark, but seeing Obsidian in her silvery cocktail dress made me at a loss for words. The satin of the dress shimmered and flowed over the curves of Obsidian's body, and I could only stare wth slack-jawed admiration.

"W-wow," I stammered.

"I think you broke him, Obsidian." Morning blast said, himself sporting a green pin-striped vest and black tie.

I heard Four Speed whistle. "Obsidian, you look great," He himself wore a wide collared powder-blue leisure suit. On any other pony that outfit would look absurd but four-speed made it work.

Star Shine wore a fluffy dress and suddenly instead of a battle mage she looked like a beautiful debutant, as did Obsidian.

"Girl, we are gonna turn so many heads no one will think of touching the princess," Star Shine said.

"That is a fact!" Sonambula said, a hint of sarcasm. "Yes indeed, we are going to be the most well-dressed military unit in all Equestria, damn fine."

Gaining my senses I smiled, reaching out to grasp Obsidian's hoof and kissing it gently,

"You look stunning," I said,

Obsidian blushed, "Ohh, come on,"

"I would only make one change, your neckline is a little bare." I said, "I got my Reparations from the Tajir, so I got you a little something.

The store's selection of jewelry was limited, but I finally selected a modest locket just before I'd tried on my suit. It was silver, and I lifted it clumsily to hang it around Obsidian's large neck. She lifted it to look at it, and smiled.

"It's beautiful Windjammer" She said, hugging my tightly and nuzzling me. "Thank you so much,"

I kissed the base of her neck gently as she let me go. It was a spur of the moment purchase, I had seen It and thought of Obsidian. . .but there was part of me who knew she'd be leaving soon and I wanted her to have some kind of memento. Something she could carry with her, that remind her of me.

As we purchased our new outfits and headed back for base, carrying boxes and bags down the street with us as we went. I felt a pang of fear, a surge of regret. I had simply accepted that I was going to loose Obsidian, and part of me wanted to put up a fight. I had recently gained so much, but if I just gave up and lost her it would all be moot. I decided I'd at least start the conversation.

"So, What are you going to school for?" I asked, restarting the conversation her and I started a week before.

Obsidian shrugged. "Business," She said.

"I expected something a bit more, Exotic. You know, like archeology or something" I said with a shrug.

"I'm not Daring Do," She laughed, "My family runs a bunch of furniture stores. I was gonna go to work for Grandpa here in Canterlot. Once he retires I'll run the store."

"So you'll be coming back to Canterlot after you finish school,"

"Yeah, I almost got enough credits to graduate." She said. "Should be just another year, maybe six months if I push myself."

I nodded, "That won't be so bad."

Obsidian looked at me with her gentle eyes, "Windy, I just don't like how long distance things usually work out, I don't want to drift apart."

I looked into her eyes and I could be nothing but honest with Obsidian.

"I know we haven't know each other very long," I said, "But I've grown up fighting the odds, and I don't want to give up. you're too special for that."

Obsidian brushed up against me, bending to nuzzle my neck.

"I'll write you all I can," she said.

"And I'll visit you, when I get leave time."

Obsidian sighed, "If we get a chance, on the ship, will you spare me a dance?"

I had no idea how to dance, but she didn't know that. "Of course."

----*----

We had donned our new outfits and, adding only a hidden dagger and a breastplate we wore under our outfits that, in an emergency, could be removed and used as shields. We trotted to the river docks where the Pelecan sat in the water, awaiting it's first passengers.

The ship was a four ballooned ship, absolutely massive for an airship but small compared to ocean going liners. The ship had a cantina, A spa, and a huge dining room that doubled as a ballroom complete with grand piano. Everything was clean, brightly painted and smelled of new lumber. I'd served on a number of airships, all cramped troop transports dwarfed by this palace in the sky, crewed by griffons in smart white shirts. The ship had few defenses and only a small security staff armed with simple wooden clubs, but it was almost impossible to attack an Airship without another airship, and anyone who could afford to own an airship was rich enough that thy didn't need to engage in Piracy.

Our final inspection was the Royal suite where Celestia would staying, three bedrooms, gold-veined white marble floors, chandlers, a bar and a full wait staff that included two butlers and a cook in a private galley. Sonambula had this staff dismissed as none of them had been security checked and Celestia would bring her own servants who had worked for her for years and were well trusted. The suite actually had two floors, with an ornate spiral staircase leading up to a second level.

As we stepped into the Hallway outside the Royal suite the captain, a middle aged griffon with a wide beak, smiled at us. He was called Gillburry, and according to his

"What do you think, Sergeant?" He asked proudly, "Will the Princess be comfortable on board my humble vessel?"

Sonambula nodded shallowly, "Room is fine." He said. "Who's staying in these other suites?"

The captain shrugged, "The other VIPs invited On the maiden voyage." He explained.

Sonambula shook his head, "No, we'll need them to be cleared out, the guards are going to take these rooms."

"You guards quartered two decks down in steerage," Gillburry said, "These suites are 800 bits a night!"

"I know they're not cheap, but we have to stay close to the princess at all times, especially when she sleeps. Just send a bill to the palace, we'll give you a good review."

"Why not stay with her in the Royal suite?" The captain offered.

"Yeah, right we'll all just sleep on her foot of her bed like loyal puppies." Sonambula joked, "She's gotta have her privacy like anypony."

The Captain sighed, "Very well, we have other nice rooms for the other VIPs."

"Okay, Bricker, Mason, Stonewall you get the room at the end of the hall." Sonambula said, "Four Speed, Star Shine you share that one."

"Yes sir!" Four speed said gleefully,

"You make a move on Star-Shine I'll tell Nebula," Sonambula said, "She'll give you more hell than I ever could."

"I'll keep him in line, Master Sergeant." Star Shine said with a grin.

"Okay, Windjammer, Obsidian, you get that room, and may I remind you, if there's an alarm we need you on deck no matter what you're in the middle of, we clear?"

"Yes Maser Sergeant," I said, having trouble hiding my smile.

"That leaves you and me Morning Blast," Sonambua said.

"I gotta share a room with YOU?" Morning blast complained,

"Don't you worry about it," Sonambula said with a devious smile, "You and I are gonna share stories, make s'mores, do some serious bonding, that clear?"

"Yes Master Sergeant," Morning Blast said.

We dropped our bags in the room and headed toward the deck for the reception. I took notice of Sonambula's suit, it was indeed pretty sharp, a grey tux with corsage and tails. I found myself wondering where a four-year guard veteran got his hooves on it.

We Walked to the gangway to see the princess and her entourage entering, standing on the rail looking just as other passengers. Princess Celestia, flanked by her servants entered, as we kept a close eye on the modest crowd. In more ceremonial settings the princess would require us to march alongside her, but this three-day cruise was not an official function, it was a chance for her to relax so we would blend into the background. Always ready as the motto demanded, but not making her feel smothered.

The next to arrive was a short griffon, his porters carrying stacks of books with only a single chest. Most griffons were fairly bulky, but his one was a bit thin and lanky with wide eyes, he almost looked feminine, walking with a graceful saunter.

"That's the scholar Gregory Griffon." Sonambula explained, "He translates old books, documents, knows dozens of languages."

"Didn't I see him at the Equestria games once?" Morning Blast asked.

"He's also an expert archer." Sonambula explained, "Medaled in the last two games."

Next I recognized Count Valeris, whom I last saw in the throne room. Instead of porters, the stallion had five veiled unicorn mares in elaborate robes following him, all with bright exotic eyes.

"Count Valeris, Ambassador to Saddle Arabia," Sonambula explained. "Also a talented Mage, physician and philosopher."

"What's with all the pretty lady servants?" Star Shine asked.

"Those aren't his servants, those are his wives." Sonambula explained.

"Holy crap," Four speed said with wide eyes, "Windjammer, why the hell did you ever leave that county?"

"It's more of a Political thing than a marriage like you know it," I explained, "The harem of a noble are really just mares he respects and likes to have around, they're usually musicians writers, or artists. If the count wants a family he'll have a more traditional marriage."

"Still, I like their system!" Four Speed laughed.

The Next and Last of the VIPs was a dark coated Pegasus with whitish freckles and wide eyes. He was wearing a smart suit with a short-brimmed Fedora and was carrying his own bags. I had the strange sensation that I'd seen him before, but I had no idea from here. He wore a rapier in a scabbard but tripped over his own hooves halfway up the gangplank and almost fell off into the water but Princess Celestia caught him, levitating him with her horn and setting him on the deck. The Stallion lifted his fedora to smooth out his blue mane before bowing to the princess.

"Who's the klutz?" Morning blast asked.

Sonambula read over his scrolls, "Says his name is Night Glade, never heard of him."

"He's cute!" Star Shine said, "I call dibs!"

"He's here on Personal invitation of the princess, says he's a. . . Hero of Equestria?" Sonambula said questionably,

"If the princess Invited him you might have some completion, Star Shine." Obsidian said, pointing to were Night Glade was giving Princess Celesta a hug.

"I called dibs before he was on the ship!" Star shine said, as if she were explaining something to a class "The Princess is far too classy to ignore dibs law."

"What the heck is a Hero of Equestria?" Morning Blast asked.

"I got no idea, sounds like something out of a role playing game." Sonambula said. "I sure hope he isn't some kind of wannabe,"

We were about to head down to the main deck to greet the princess but just before we could we spotted another pony flying toward the ship, we soon recognized the late arrival to be Princess Luna who landed directly in front of us.

"Greetings, Guard ponies!" She shouted, "I was concerned that my duties would not allow me to join my sister on this wonderful journey! But Behold! My work is done and I will now join you!"

We bowed, surprised not only to see Princes Luna in he day but see her just. . .show up out of nowhere. While none of us were part of Princess Luna's personal guard, we knew she often had a habit of escaping them for a time to go on "Adventures" or just show up at some local watering hole, offering to buy rounds of drinks. We appreciated that she had the courtesy to let us know she was here at least, so we could make at least a cursory effort at protect her.

"Your Majesty," Sonambula said, "We of the Helios guard are at your service,"

"Thank you sir Knight!" Luna said with a smile. "But I doubt that the trade of a warrior will be required, there will be celebration! Feasting and libations! Away!"

The Princess Dashed back toward her sister before Sonambula could explain to her he wasn't a knight, though I heard he tried numerous times to explain this.

"Well now we have two princesses to look After," Morning Blast said,

"Princess Luna is going to be awake most nights, but probably spend most of that time in dreams, as usual." Sonambula said, "so, just keep an eye out when she's on deck and that'll be fine."

Soon after the passengers were aboard, the Pelican inflated it's broad red balloons and we began to ascend. Celestia and Luna stood near the deck rail and watched the world shrink below as we climbed into the Sky. Being a Pegasus I've see the word from far above, and doubtless so had the Royal sisters, I Guess the advantage of the ship was that one could enjoy the view with a meal service.

When we were above the clouds, the open deck was windy and cold so the aforementioned meal service was served in a dining room under a glass dome that offered a stunning view of the sky around us. There was bright wispy clouds along the violet evening sky, a perfect twilight to enjoy.

Sonambula humbly offered to eat later in the galley but Princess Celestia, being who she was, insisted we all eat in the dining room, since we were dressed for the occasion. The Princess and her sister usually did not want to be bothered while they ate, so they sat alone at the head table with the other VIPs and the guards sharing a long banquet table.

I was wearing the nicest cloths I'd Ever worn, sitting next to Obsidian, who in her silver dress, locket and bright rouge was more beautiful as I've ever seen her. I was at a table with counts, scholars and Heroes, on a ship in the sky. Yes, I was on duty as the short sword hidden under my jacket reminded me, but the reflection stunned me, at how much my life had changed in a scant few weeks.

The ship's cuisine was very good, and there was a lot of it. The servings of spaghetti and garlic bread were huge, and desert was a slice of cake the size of my head. As usual Obsidian ate her food in a fraction of the time I did and somehow ate half of my plate. I could never muster o courage to tell the beautiful mare not to eat half my food, though I feared in a Long term relationship I would begin to loose weight.

After the meal the staff of the ship moved our table away, and the three VIPs presented the Princesses with gifts which was something many ponies did when meeting them. Gregory griffon presented Princess Celestia with a black leather tome, which he examined was a rare and ancient Grimoire from his collection. Night Glade gave the princess a black lacquered box that contained a long chrome tube decorated with a strange array of colorful buttons and dials. I didn't hear what he called the bizarre object, only that it was a kind of saber, which puzzled me. It was just a piece of metal, not an elegant weapons of a more civilized age. Count Valeris presented Princess Celestia with a piece of carved turquoise, and was the only VIP to present Princess Luna with a gift: a shimming black broach that the princess pinned to her dress, giving Count Valeris a polite kiss on the cheek. The count shrank back with a look of surprise, being a very conservative Arabian open shows of affection like this were unthinkable. The grey unicorn blushed and tried to hide a smile, despite his embarrassment at the gesture.

As the sun began to set, a light rain began to drip onto the dome under the rapidly darkening sky. A grand piano was wheeled out Along with a griffon with a violin who began playing soft music. The meal had turned into a reception, the captain and VIPs being encouraged to mingle and the area where the tables sat was now a dance floor, though for now everypony was content to just make polite conversation.

"So, what is it you do again?" Sonambula asked Night Glade,

"I do, different jobs for the princess."

"How come I've never heard of you?" Sonambula said, "I've worked with her for years,"

The Pegasus smiled, "Well, she only bothers me for the important stuff,"

Sonambula narrowed his eyes, "Is that so?" He said.

Gregory Griffon was talking with Morning Blast and Four Speed, almost putting them to sleep with diatribe about some forgotten bit of history.

"Lord Guraan was probably the most interesting griffon of the third dynasty, he was the one who thought of gold coinage and understood a flexible market, he founded the Market hall of Griffonstone where he introduced rings as credit markets when . . "

The pair were doing their best to pay attention but seemed intent on finding a way out of the conversation.

Star Shine had made her way to Night Glade, The Pegasus bowing to her as she arrived.

"Hi, I'm Star Shine," She said cheerfully, playing with her curly red mane.

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Night Glade." He replied. "My, that dress is beautiful."

Star Shine blushed. "W-Well I was hoping to catch somepony's attention,"

Night Glade looked surprised and looked around, "Oh. . .well I'm sure whoever he is he won't be able to ignore a pretty mare like you."

Star Shine Was transformed into a giggling mess at the compliment, "Oh, thank you," She said quietly.

"But if he sees me talking with you he'll think we're together, I better go. . . .good luck!"

Before Star shine could say another word Night Glade walked off greet Princess Luna, it seemed he was totally oblivious to poor star shine.

Obsidian bumped star shine, "Well. . .you tried."

"Oh I'm not giving up!" Star shine said with a smirk,

"Why did you call dibs on that one?" Obsidian said, "He's kind of a weirdo,"

"Are you kidding?" Star Shine said with a smile, "He's got those fluffy wings, and that blue mane and those freckles! I just wanna pick him up and hug him!"

I had promised Obsidian we would share a dance, but every time I looked at that beautiful mare the words stuck in my throat. We'd shared far more than just a dance, but here on this ship in the sky in front of royalty, with Obsidian as beautiful as she's ever been in the light of the lanterns on deck I had trouble feeling worthy of being with her. She smiled at me, as she understood, though her disappoint was also visible in her soft eyes.

Before I could get my nerve I saw Night Glade returning and Star Shine's eyes lit up brightly, but was instantly disappointed as he approached Obsidian.

"Madam," I head Night Glade said, extending a hoof to the Black coated mare. "May I have this dance?"

Obsidian looked baffled, but Night Glade whisked her onto the dance floor before Anypony knew what to do. I didn't mind, Obsidian seemed a little uncomfortable but I was glad she was dancing with somepony. Star shine sat beside me, Dejected, with a pout on her face. Princess Luna was sitting next to me, having walked up to me without so much as a sound.

"Hail, Windjammer," She said softly.

"Your Majesty," I replied with a bow.

"I have noticed, that your dreams as of late are far more pleasant." She said casually.

"Your sister has been very good to me." I explained.

"Strange, I see another mare far more prominently in your dreams," Luna said.

I blushed, wondering just how much of those dreams the princess could see.

"But alas, she dances with another, and how can this be?" Luna asked.

"I. . .don't know how to dance your Majesty, I fear I would embarrass her."

We took a moment, observing Obsidian and Night Glade clumsily dancing to the music, Obsidian smiling shallowly, but glancing at me hopefully every few steps.

"Night Glade is not an experienced Dancer either, but yet. . .he dances."

"I know your Majesty," I said. "It's just. . . She's so beautiful tonight,"

Luna smiled brightly, "Indeed, but she wishes to dance with you. I can understand your apprehension, you are a humble one. Perhaps, the song I ordered the bards to play will help you gain your courage."

I had no idea what the princess was referring too, until the next song played, and I recognized it Instantly. Las Pegasus Serenade, the song that played when Obsidian and I shared our first kiss. Luna said no more, only slyly smiling at me as I strode onto the dance floor, tapping Night Glade on the shoulder.

"Excuse me," I said, "May I cut in? It's our song."

Night Glade smile, and nodded. Obsidian whispered something in his ear, pointing to Star Shine who was sitting by the dance floor, sadly and he smiled.

"She's waiting for somepony," he said. "As if I had a chance with a mare like her,"

"You do," I said, taking Obsidian into an embrace "Trust us,"

Night glade trotted to Star Shine, who didn't even give him a chance to finish asking her to dance Before pouncing him and dragging him to the dance floor, laying her head on his shoulder as he danced.

I held Obsidian close to me as we moved slowly, it was true I couldn't dace but we were just swaying to the music, making me feel that familiar warm, content feeling I did whenever I had Obsidian close to me. I noticed Luna walk to Sonambula who was trying his best to be ignored.

"Sir Knight," Luna said a bit louder than I expected. "I wish you to dance with me."

"Your Majesty, It would be crass of me to do without without your sister giving me-"

"Sergeant, Dance with my sister." Princess Celestia interrupted.

"Huzah!" Luna exclaimed happily.

"Of course My Liege." Sonambula said, bowing to Luna, and dancing with her with surprising skill.

I Laughed as I held Obsidian close suddenly noticing Four Speed on the other side of the dance floor, with Gregory Griffon dancing with him, the griffon's feathery head laying on his shoulder. When Four Speed saw me looking he gave me a confused glance and shrugged, as If to say "I have not idea how this happened".

"You got me just in time," Obsidian said, "I almost stepped on that other guy."

I laughed softy, "I been around you enough to know to keep out from under hoof,"

That night didn't feel like a night in a military unit. It was a good night, dancing to soft music until the light faded and Luna brought up the moon, the silvery light pouring though the dome. I kissed obsidian that night, under that silver light, in front of everyone without caring. And just as Princess Celestia yawned, and expressed her desire to return to her room, I almost told Obsidian how I felt. I didn't. . .everything I loved I had lost, and I was afraid just saying the world's would drive her and I apart. She kissed my ear, and whispered.

"I'm having a wonderful night," She said, "But I really want to get out of this dress."

"Of course," I said as Obsidian walked back toward the stairwell to the Suites.

"Sergeant Windjammer!" I heard count Valeris said,

"Yes, my count." I said as I gave a shallow bow.

"I was just speaking with Princess Celestia, about an idea that occurred to me," He said. "My loyal bodyguard Iba is retiring, and the princess has offered to assign one of her guards to serve me on my travels. Since you know Saddle Arabia well, and speak the language I have requested you."

I was surprised that being chosen after being so new, "I am honored, my liege." I said, "Certainly there are warriors more experienced,"

"Your humility is admirable, Sergeant." The Count said, "But with the Tajir losing their hold on the Markets my homeland is in a state of change. Perhaps there are better warriors but Celestia has assured me that you know our land."

"If it is the wish of my Princess," I said, "Then I will be at your service."

The count smiled, "Now, It is late, I wish to rest."

"Of course your grace."

"Okay guard, let's all get some sleep since we-," Sonambula said, before being interrupted by Luna giving him a tight hug

"You dance skillfully sir knight!" Luna said, then quickly dropping him to dart down the stairs without another word.

"Used to teach ballroom dancing at Canterlot high," Sonambula explained to the empty air where Luna just was. "I'm still not a knight. . ."

I headed back down to suite hallway, seeing Night Glade wandering around the posh hallway.

"Evening, Night Glade." I said. "Are you lost?"

"I don't think so," He said, "Starshine said to meet her here and I don't see her. . ."

Suddenly Star Shine's door flew open and she quickly levitated Night Glade into the room, the shocked and surprised look on Night Glade's face barely registering before he disappeared behind the closed door. A Split Second later Four-Speed was ejected though the open door, still with his blanket around him.

"Hey!" Four speed said at the closed door. "Where am I supposed to sleep?"

"Maybe you could go to Gregory's room," I offered with grin.

Four Speed Smirked, "Trust me, I could If I wanted to." He knocked on Sonambula's door.

Sonambula opened the door, "Star Shine closed the deal huh? Well come on in, you can have the couch."

I stepped into the room I shared with Obsidian, surprised to see it wasn't much smaller than the Royal suite. Obsidian wasn't in the main hall, but on the couch I noticed her dress layed out, invitingly. I had to open three doors before I figured out which was the bedroom, surprised to find our suite had both a sauna and a very nice bathtub.

In the bedroom, I first noticed the canopy bed, then what was in it. On the silk sheets, laid obsidian wearing shimmering silk robe which draped invitingly over her curves. It was just one of the seeping robes that came with the room, and she was eating from a bag of peanuts from the Minibar and reading a magazine. She looks up and me, her tail twitching as she noticed me.

"You look amazing," I said with my heart racing.

She giggled, "Like the robe?" She said. "It came with the room,"

I crawled into bed next to her, sliding the sink robe off her shoulder to give it gently kisses.

"Oh, windy," She said with a sigh.

"Think they'll notice if we stole it?" I whispered in her ear.

"Mm, If it'll get you this worked up I'll risk it," She said as she quivered, "You up for some fun then?"

"Yes, my beautiful lady of the night," I said

That night we shared our love once more, why would I ever need to speak the words when our bodies, together in that night and all the nights before, spoke of our love so much better? There we were, alone together and vulnerable. Even if I never told her that I loved her with words, as I looked at her resting next to me, thoroughly satisfied, I realized she knew it. I never, never wanted loose her but what else could I do? I leaned in to kiss her neck as she slept. I decided I needed some air, I pulled the blankets up to Obsidian's neck and stepped out of the room onto my room's balcony, taking in the chilly night air outside the ship.

We were high in the night sky, and the Balcony was on an ocean of black marble. As Much as I loved being with Obsidian just then. . .it came with the realization that soon I'd be in service of Count Valaris, and even when Obsidian moved back to Canterlot her and I would get precious little time together. How was it that fate would bring us together, only for my duty to my princess drive us apart? The love of my life and It was likely these scant few weeks would be our only time together.

I saw Gregory flying around the night sky, and he waved. I returned his greeting, and the Griffon landed on my balcony.

"Evening, Gregory. Having trouble sleeping?"

Gregory leaned his chin on a talon, nodding with a pout on his beak. "Four-Speed din't want to keep me company tonight."

I patted the Griffon on the back, "Well, you have two more nights,"

"I don't think I'll crack this one, he seems to like the mares to much," Gregory said, churring a bit at the attention.

"Well, you can't win them all."

"My room's right under yours, it sounds like you won just fine. Was it that pretty mare with the locket?"

"That's her." I said. "We're sort of involved."

"Oooh, I should have figured. Stallions don't look at mares like that unless they're in love."

I nodded, "I do love her." I said quietly, glad I was capable of just voicing the words.

"Something wrong?" Gregory asked. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

I wasn't sure why but I felt as if I could talk to him, "She's leaving the service soon."

"Aww, so you'll still be in." Gregory sighed, as if he understood. "Hey, It's gonna be okay sweetie, I rarely get to see my wife anymore with how much I travel."

"You're married?" I asked, honestly surprised.

Gregory giggled, "I know, seems odd. But I love her, and she loves me. . .even if our relationship is pretty open."

"How do you make it work?"

Gregory shrugged, "There's no on trick to it. There's a lot of little things you have to do to make it work. It comes down to this: I waited my whole life to meet her, I can wait a little while to see her. "

I grinned, perhaps we could work it out after all.

"You're allright, Gregory." I said.

The Griffon giggled and drew a silvery cigarette case from his bag, lighting one of the cigarettes with a flint.

"You do realize Equestra has a Smoking ban," I said, half joking.

"No need to arrest me honey," Gregory said, enjoying his cigarette. "I heard one of the Porters talking, we're going to be setting down on the Sandee River in Gomar canyon, we're in the griffon realm."

That was news to me, we were all briefed on the ship's travel itinerary and while we were going to be near the border we were not meant to be anywhere near the Sandee, which was almost thirty miles into the Griffon Realm.

"Why are we diverting?" I asked.

"Just dropping below a storm." Gregory said, pointing to a distant thunderhead that strobe with silent lighting.

"Gregroy, the weather In Equestria is controlled, we shouldn't be running into any storms."

"Is that a bad thing?"

I thought for a moment. "It might be, I better go tell Sonambula."

"Okay, g'night pony." Gregory said, flying back to his own balcony.

I yawned wondering what time it was as I walked into the hallway and knocking on Sonambula's door. The Unicorn Stallion groggily answered the door.

"What's up, Windjammer?" He asked.

"I just heard we were Diverting to the Sandee River because of an unscheduled Storm," I reported.

Sonambula yawned as he listened, "Sure, the griffons probably put a storm together and lost control over it."

"The River is going to leave us a bit exposed," I offered.

"It won't be a problem Windjammer, if any of the wardens see a problem they'll wake us up." Sonambula said. "Get some sleep, we'll need to be sharp tomorrow okay?"

"Yes Sergeant."

Before I went back to bed stepped back out on the balcony, looking down at the broad Sandee River, visible only as a silver ribbon of reflected moonlight. I could swear, for the briefest moment I could see a lantern on that River but it was snuffed out as quickly as it came up. What barge or fisher griffon would be on the river at this time of night?

We would know come morning just who was on that River.

Chapter 4: The Battle of Sandee River

A rude knocking on the bedroom door pulled me awake, along with the district smell of strong coffee. Obsidian next to me, cuddled close and made an angry grumble, too contented to consider getting up. Sonambula slipped open the door carrying two tall cups of coffee he set on the nightstand.

"Okay ponies, chug some Joe," He said. "Obsidian, get the Line breakers up, Windjammer, you get Star shine."

"What time is it?" I asked, Obsidian having pulled the blankets over her head.

"Early," Sonambula answered simply. "Time for sword drills, can't let all this luxury make us soft."

Without another Word Sonambula left, and I stretched and arched my back, taking a long sip of the coffee, which was far better than the coffee at the castle. Obsidian moaned and I finally saw her hoof reach out from under the covers to grab the second cup of coffee.

"I so miss sleeping in," Obsidian said, still under the blanket.

"Would be nice," I said around my coffee, "if not extra time for sleeping, time for something else?"

Obsidian grinned, holding the blanket over her head like a hood. "In the morning too? I am such a lucky mare,"

"But, We have work to do this morning,"

Obsidian wrapped her strong forelegs around me, "No, I wanna stay here and snuggle,"

I laughed softy and kissed her, "So do I, but duty calls."

The big mare nodded, "Okay, but tonight you owe me two,"

"Of course," I said with a blush.

Having no other clothing I put on my breastplate and suit, leaving my tie loose. I hid my short sword in the jacket and received the wooden practice sword from my gear. Taking a clue from Sonambula I took a moment to brew some coffee in my room's kitchen, carrying it with me as I walked into Star Shine's room, which was a mirror image of mine across the hall. I knocked on the bedroom door and I heard star shine mumble.

Inside Star shine was in the large canopy holding the still-sleeping Night Glade. She looked at me with angry eyes, is if daring me to tell her it was time to get up.

"Time for sword drills Corporal," I said.

"But he's so snuggly," She said, giving me an adorable pout.

"He can't get to far, Star Shine we're on a ship," I offered, "I brought you Coffee,"

Star Snine took the cup off the tray, taking a sip then smiling at me.

"Okay, I forgive you." She said, she leaned over to kiss the still-sleeping Night Glade.

The Half sleeping Pony Hugged Star shine close to him, the Mare's coffee toppling over on the sheets.

"Yipes!" Glade shouted jumping out of bed to avoid the scalding coffee.

Star Shine herself scrambled out of the bed, looking at me pleading.

"Don't worry I made a whole pot," I said, "Just don't spill anymore, I have a feeling this coffee is expensive."

---*---

We had lined up on the rear deck, and I was surprised to see the Ship was still on the river, a storm raging high above and steep canyon walls of white stone rising high on each riverbank. The river was not the small streams I was used to in Saddle Arabia, but a very broad, swiftly moving affair large enough for three ships of the Pelican's size to pass each other comfortably. I learned later that the Sandee River was even deeper than it was wide, meaning that rather large ships could use it to transport goods. In the dim morning light we could spot a few griffons steering small fishing ships, looking for a good place to cast their nets.

Only Gregory was on the deck, enjoying a battered fish breakfast at a small table, and watching us practice. He had brought a few books but seemed far more interested in us. I was paired up with Morning Blast, and we sparred with our wooden swords. Four Speed and Star Shine attacked one another in flurries of swordplay and Obsidian, being the most skilled fighter among us, battled all three of her fellow line breakers at once. Sonambula paced back and forth, giving advice and making sure our forms were sound. Oddly, he insisted we all wear our formal attire, explaining that if there was trouble on the ship we'd have to be ready to fight in these outfits. It was strange seeing Obsidian tussle with Bricker, Stonewall and Mason, effortlessly tossing the large ponies around the deck around and countering their attacks all while wearing her cocktail dress and her Locket.

"That's it ponies, Earn your breakfast." Sonambula encouraged, "No desert for anypony who doesn't disarm their opponent at least once!"

Unexpectedly we saw Night Glade stride to the rear deck in his tux and fedora, without pause Sonambula casually approached the Pony.

"Good morning," Night Glade said, giving a friendly nod.

"Yeah," Sonambula said. "Star Shine's busy,"

"I can see that, I was just wanting to get a look at your technique."

"Well then," Sonambula said, waving his hoof over us as we practiced. "What do you think?

Morning Blast watched us sparring, considering it, "Effective, very practical," he said, "If a little mundane. Not very creative at all, "

"We're soldiers, not dancers."

"Aren't you Both?" Night Glade asked, "Your background report said you had two years of Ballroom and three of jazz, you also danced with the Manehattan soft shoes."

Sonambula scowled, Night Glade had done his homework, meaning that Sonambula knew far less about Glade than he knew about him.

"That was a long time ago," Sonambula grumbled. "Look, you want to chit-chat and we have work to do, buzz off."

"I'm a pretty good fighter myself, I was just interested in Royal guard techniques."

"Well then, This is not a spectator sport," Sonambula said, taking off his jacket. "You come, you play."

"You and me Master Sergeant?" Glade asked, "I'd be honored."

Star Shine looked up from her sparring with concerned eyes, "Master Sergeant, please you don't have to-"

"Don't worry Star Shine," Sonambula interrupted, as he picked up a wooden sword. "You can nurse him back to health when I'm done with him,"

I carried a sword to Night Glade as he removed his jacket.

"Glade, Sonambula is a fencing champion, level six melee fighter, and a close quarters combat master," I Warned. "And he doesn't exactly like you,"

Glade grinned at me, "I'll be carful."

"You gonna grab that sword?" Sonambula asked.

Glade glanced at the wooden sword, then drew out his long, thin Rapier.

"No offense sergeant but I haven't played with Toys since I was a colt," He said.

Sonambula laughed loudly, drawing his own ornate saber, "You sure? I don't want to cut you."

Glade scowled, His smile disappearing. "You won't."

I have, in my life only met a few true sword masters, and occasionally seen them duel. In my experience, a duel to the death between two masters never lasted long. The entire chess game of move and counter-move went on in a matter of seconds and was invisible to someone not experienced with the sword. To the layman, a duel between masters was indistinguishable from one person stabbing another with barely any resistance. This duel, was no different.

Sonambula had barely moved before the flat of Night Glade's sword was against his throat. In a real duel Glade would have opened Sonambula's neck but here just showed that he could if he wanted too. Sonambula stepped back, not registering surprise but he saluted and attacked again. The first time, I think that Sonambula underestimated Night glade but this time he did not. There was a clash of blades and for a spit second it seems Night glade was on the defense but in a few more moves Sonambula's saber clattered to the deck. The two ponies were out of breath, and everyone on deck was now watching, we barely noticed that Princess Celestia had sat at the deck table with Gregory, watching without saying a word.

"You, have a few tricks." Sonambula said in between heavy breaths,

"You're not so bad yourself," Night glade said. "Round three?"

"You know it, And this time I'm holding nothing back!"

Sonambula retrieved his saber and there was a whirlwind of blades, Night glade fending off one attack and then the next. Sonambula wasn't underestimating his opponent anymore and was using every one of the techniques he'd mastered over years of combat. The Guard was doing things that would be illegal in a propel duel, trying several times to trip Night glade, and shoving him backwards a few times but always failing to put Night glade off balance. We were now cheering on our Sergeant, shouting encouragement and jeers at his opponent, but Night glade remained in a stoic state of calm during the fight,never loosing his balance never wavering. The two sword rang and clang off each other so quickly it was a staccato rhythm and finally Sonambula was disarmed again, this time his saber flying into the air and sticking into the deck blade-first. Spontaneously we all applauded, even the princess politely clapped her hooves at the display.

"You are really good," Night Glade said, "But that's three out of five, I think anypony would call me the winner.

Sonambula had put all of himself into the duel, and had to take a second to catch his breath before he spoke, "Sorry about your tie," he said In between gasps of air.

Night Glade looked down at his bow tie, which had been cut and hung from his collar undone.

"Well Buck me. . ."

"Still," Sonambula said, having gained his voice. "If this was a real fight, I'd be dead three times by now. You were holding back,"

Glade looked down at his hooves, "Well, it's just a duel."

Sonambula smiled and gave Glade a hoof bump, "I can see why Her Majesty calls you a Hero, you got some Brass ones, Night Glade."

"Sails!" A voice came from above.

Far above I saw a Griffon on the ship's balloon, pointing from a gondola. I looked to where he was pointing to see the morning light shining on a large billowing sail on the river, perhaps a mile behind us and rapidly approaching.

"Looks like a Clipper," Morning Blast offered.

Gregory perched on the deck railing and was squinting. "it's a Corsair clipper," He clarified, "It's a coastal ship but griffons use them on the river sometimes. Very quick,"

"Hail!" Sonambula shouted At the ship, getting no response.

Gregory giggled, "That's a griffon ship, you have to hail them like a griffon."

"Be my guest." Sonambula said, motioning to the strange ship.

"HEY LOSERS!!" Gregory shouted louder than a griffon his size should be able to shout.

"WHAT!?" Someone on the ship shouted back.

"What are you Doing?!" Gregory shouted back.

"MESSAGE FOR THE PRINCESS!"

"That sounds bad," I said.

"THE FATWA IS ONLY GOOD, AS LONG AS YOU'RE ALIVE!"

"Your Majesty! Take cover!" Sonambula shouted, just as a hail of flaming arrows arched from the deck of the Corsair, leaving black trails of smoke.

Star Shine created a shield over us, but wasn't able to block Every arrow and many dropped to the deck. Alarm bells rang and the Pelican's crew sprung into action, throwing buckets of water on the flaming arrows or tossing them off the deck. I saw Gregory fly back to his shoulder bags under the table, pulling out his own bow and returning fire. Princess Celestia had just stood to make her way below deck when a second volley hit the deck, again Star shine and what must have been another unicorn on board managed to block many but we'd scattered since the first shot and more arrows had gotten by, and our blood ran cold as we heard the princess shout.

A fire arrow extended from her wing, that she quickly pulled out and dropped to the deck. Obsidian Bricker, Mason and Stonewall stood around the princess, Osiian holding a deck table above them to help block further arrows while the other three Line Breakers helped her stand. I heard a shout on the water a one of Gregory's arrows found their mark and one of the enemy sailors dropped to the deck of he corsair.

"Engine to full!" I heard a crewman shout and the Pelican lurched forward.

"We can't outrun that ship," Morning Blast said, "And I'm gonna bet they have more than fire arrows in store for us,"

Sonambula smiled, "Let's slow them down, Star Shine! Fire and Ice play!"

"Yes, Master Sergeant!" The Unicorn said with a smirk.

Sonambula aimed his horn at the water, casting an ice spell on the water in front of the corsair creating a sizable patch of ice attached to the ship's hull, causing the corsair to lurch and slow down as if it stuck a wall. Star shine then cast scorching blast at the ship's massive sail that burst into flames like it was made of the sun. instantly our ship pulled ahead, and the archers on board the ship panicked and rushed to toss buckets of water on the sails. just before we were out of Arrow range Gregory shattered a lantern on the Corsair's deck with a keen shot, scattering lamp fuel and even more fire across the deck. The griffon crew flew about, now ignoring us to figh the fire on the deck and we all rushed to the princes's Suite. On the way we all noticed four-speed was limping.

"Were you hit?" I asked,

"Yeah, but it's not serious,"

Morning blast laughed nervously as he checked his friend's wound. "You guys are not going to believe this. . ."

"Yeah, right in the moneymaker," Star shine says, "It's a good thing your butt is an arrow magnet or somepony else would get hit."

We made it into the Princess' room to see count Valeris already inspecting her wing, stitching the wound. There was blood. . .real blood running down the princess' wing, it was so bizarre to see that stark red on Snow White feathers. She was a goddess, and now she bled? I felt Obsidian holding me close.

"I'm so glad you're safe," Obsidian said.

"I've been shot at plenty of times, Four Speed caught one," I said, nuzzling her.

"Again?"

"Hey every arrow I take is one the princess doesn't have to."

"Shut up!" Sonambula said,

"Your majesty, how are you?" Glade asked

"It isn't serious," She said.

Valeris began to wrap a bandage around the wing. "The arrow struck a bone, she will not be able to fly until it heals,

Captain Gilburry walked through the door, "Thank heaven the Princess is okay,"

I dashed at the captain, grabbing his collar.

"Captain, why are we still on the water? This ship flies doesn't it?!"

"Guard, that thunderhead is still above, if we fly into it, those winds will rip the balloons right off! We'll drop like a rock."

"How much you want to bet that those griffon assassins made that storm to corner us here?" Four speed said as count Valeris prepared to remove the arrow from his flank.

I released the griffon, scowling, "Then we expect full speed out of this ship,"

"This ship isn't built for speed! It's a cruise ship!"

"Will they even keep following us? I'd assume their ship is too damaged to keep up" Celestia asked,

The captain nodded, "They appear to have doused the fires, and they are working with axes to clear the ice. The enemy ship has deployed oars and are gaining on us without their sails."

"If the princess could fly we could just evacuate," Sonambula said,

"What's ahead of us captain?" The Princess asked.

"Blackberry falls," He said. "If we can get to that the Corsair won't be able to follow. We can glide off the falls with our balloons, they'll drop 90 feet onto rocks."

"Is there any way to increase our speed so that we may outrun them?" Celestia asked.

The captain thought, "If we engaged the propellers it could speed us up, I don't know how by how much."

"Do it," Sonambula said, "If that ship catches up with us they'll send over fire arrows until this ship burns to a cinder,"

"Does the Pelican have any defenses?" Celestia asked.

"Yes your majesty," The captain said. "We have a water cannon to fight fires and we have our security staff to fight off rowdies,"

I noticed the two ship security griffons in brilliant white shirts, wielding wooden clubs painted piano black. I walked to one, staring into his eyes, he did't match my gaze. I snarled and jumped forward a fraction of an inch and the griffon jumped back a step, his eyes alive with fear.

"These guys are likely useful for kicking drunks out of the cantina," I said. "But in a fight against trained assassins, they would be slaughtered."

"We, didn't expect to be in this situation. . "

"It's fine Captain Gillburry," The Princess said, "We do not blame you, your crew did well fighting the fires and outrunning the ship. How long to we have until the corsair catches up to us?"

"With the extra speed, it's going to take a little time, an our at the least."

"Captain, do what you can to fortify the deck, prepare to repel boarders and fight fires."

"Of course, your Majesty." The captain said. "We'll do our best to keep you safe."

The captain and the security left, and Celestia walked to where Valeris was bandaging Four-Speed.

"He'll be fine your Majesty," Valeris said. "A shallow wound and slight burns,"

"My, how does this keep happening to you Four Speed?" The princess joked, "You weren't turning your back to the enemy were you?"

"Just turned to check on you," Four speed said.

"Your majesty, we should wake your sister, and let her know to stay in the room." Sonambula said, "We'll supervise the fortifications of the-"

"You Sonambula, will have breakfast. None of you have eaten,

"There is no time to-"

"This room has a galley, I have already told the cook to prepare something quick so none of you have to go into battle on an empty stomach."

Sonambula did not argue, and bowed deeply, and just as promised a tray of sandwiches was brought out and we ate them, the princess herself having a few.

"Well, first taste of combat with the Guard," Obsidian said.

Nodded, "Yeah, you all did very well."

"Thanks," Obsidian said, "Hopefully we can outrun he corsair but it not. . . "

I looked at Obsidian, she looked so scared, as if she knew that our time could be short. She wanted to say something, wanted me to say it. She was right, if there was a time this was it.

"Obsidian," I said, the worlds on the edge of my lips. "In case this gets serious. . .you should know that the last week, has been the best of my life and I just want you to know that I-

"Alarm bell!" Sonambula shouted,

Indeed there was an alarm bell ringing, the sound of shooting voices. I looked into Obsidian's eyes, kissed her deeply and spoke quickly.

"There is no force on this earth powerful enough to drag me away from you," I said, "I will survive this, no matter what,"

Her eyes Quivered, "Okay," She agreed. "We'll face this together,"

"Princess, bar the door and stay in here, I think there are boarders." Sonambula said.

The Princess Nodded,

"Night Glade, you think you can fight beside a grumpy old dancer who took up war?"

"It would be my honor sergeant," Night Glade sad before Kissing the Princess's hoof, "Your majesty, stay here, stay safe."

"Good luck, my Guard," She said. "Windjammer, keep that promise you made to Obsidian, always."

I was surprised to hear that, but only nodded as I followed my fellow guards onto the deck, and what we found was utter chaos. Griffons from the other ship clung to the balloons, trying to hack through them, the two propeller engines were in flames. The ship security were standing on the deck with their clubs, to timid to fly up and attack, only shouting insults and threats.

"They're attacking the balloons!" The captain shouted to his men, "Get up there and stop them!"

Sonambula stomped to the guards "Get up there and fight you cowards!" He shouted, "If they destroy our balloons we're dead!"

Gregory emerged from below deck, looking up at the balloons, pulling out his bow and felling more than a few of the attackers.

"See? They're just flesh and blood! Follow us!" I should as Morning Blast, Four speed and I leaped into the air to get the enemy off the balloons.

Luckily the balloons on an airship are well protected and just hacking at them with an axe would take a long time to get through, and there wasn't any large holes. The assassins were wearing chain mail, and were armed with hatchets, axes and short bows, I flew in and kicked one at full speed, feeling my hoof sink into his side and ribs snap. I didn't even check to see if he was down before I flew to the next and buried my short sword into his side.

I saw beams of scorching magic burst from the deck, smashing into the hovering griffons all around me, morning blast and Four speed took out opponent after opponent and Night Glade sliced through the brawlers like a scythe through fresh wheat, they call against his sword like waves crashing on a shore. The ship security wasn't doing as well, many of them having fallen, but they fought on, grappling with the assassins like Brawlers, biting, clawing and shouting insults.

The aerial battle was going our way, but I looked and saw the Corsair was drawing far closer than before, and I realized that the boarders must have infiltrated the engine room, or the bridge, had done something to slow us down. None of us considered that griffons would simply fly and board our ship. Flame arrows came down upon the deck but the water cannons were In full force, wiping the flame from the deck. More heavily armored griffons far to heavy in their armor to fly, lined up on the deck of the corsair, preparing to march onto our deck once gangplanks were set down, the attack on the balloon had failed, and the few survivors were retreating back to their ship, so the four of us joined the unicorns and line breakers on the deck.

"Good shooting, Gregory," Four speed said

The griffon blushed, "Aww it's no problem,"

"Hey I helped too!" Star Shine said,

"Well Gregory doesn't have any magic!"

"Guard! Hustle up!" Sonambula shouted, as arrows streaked through the air around him. "Linebreakers in front! Griffons to the flanks! Pegasi and Unicorns with me!"

We marched toward where the corsair approached, and we watched as the gangplank set down.

"In a moment some real tough customers are going to cross that gangplank!" Sonambula said, "Guard, what are they going to find?!"

"PAIN!" We shouted in unison.

"And?"

"DEATH!"

The Gangplank was down now, and we could hear the clang of armor.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts, I hope whatever God they believe in has mercy," Sonambula said, His voice ominous, "Because they have no idea WHO THEY ARE BUCKING WITH!!"

Now we saw them, wearing full armor and wilding swords and Axes.

"Light em' up!" Sonambula shouted, he and Star Shine casting bolts of force into the formation, several of the heavily armed griffons flying into the water. Gregory fired more arrows, but they bounced uselessly off the griffon's armor and shields.

Sonambula and Star shine taking shots at them, but the survivors still advanced. The unicorns were growing tired, firing spell after spell into the advancing assassins, but we held back, waited until the formation was on the ship, where they had no escape. I looked to Obsidian, her broadsword clutched in her teeth. This could be my last chance, to tell her I loved her. I didn't take it, I don't know why I didn't tell her then and there, it would have been the perfect time.

The formation was now on Deck, the ones that still lived banging their swords on their shields. Star Shine and Sonambula nodded at each other and drew their swords. Glade narrowed his eyes, Obsidian crouched, her muscles flexing and growing taught, the other line breakers preparing themselves for an attack.

"After the line breakers shake them up, follow them in and get the leftovers," Sonambula said.

Obsidian, Stonewall, Bricker and Mason waited for the command. . .none of them were wearing armor. I wanted to grab Obsidian and run, protect her, but there was nothing I could do, the only way out of this, was through. Telling her now, would only distract her, she was fully focussed on her task, as she should be.

"Line breakers Go!"

The deck shook as the four ponies charged, like a force of nature they smashed into the armored griffons, sending many of them flying into the air like rag dolls, pinwheeling through the air. Others were crushed and trampled under their hooves, falling and not rising. Obsidian's broadsword found holes in the enemies' armor, finding flesh and drawing screams from its victims. Blood stained the deck, and Sonambula ordered us in.

"Finish them off!" Sonambula said,

Every one of us charged in, and I found myself in a mass of clanking armor, blood and blades. I leaped on the back of a griffon who turned to attack Mason, sliding my short sword under his helmet and hearing a scream as the blade slashed the griffon's face. Mason brought down his hooves on the griffon, crushing his chest. Another Griffon Lifted me into the air by my neck and drew back his sword to run it through me, but I quickly wrapped my legs around his arm and straitened my back and snapped the arm, quickly thrusting my sword though the face slit on his helmet, he went limp when the sword impaled his head. The armored griffons seemed far more well equipped then they were well trained, even the unskilled security griffons were able to wrestle one to the ground, remove his helmet and beat him to death with their clubs. Night Glade swirled among the armored Griffons, his thin Rapier sliding in and out of a number of the griffons gracefully. Sonambula seemed to feel the need to keep up and was hacking and slashing with his saber at every assassin foolish enough to attack him.

I'd never seen Obsidian pushed to this limit, she killed and fought, blocked and parried flawlessly never showing a reaction. She was a professional, plying a trade, and her trade was violence and death. Soon, the survivors were backing away, trying to make their way back to the gangplank and I heard Obsidian speak in a tone I never heard this mare use before.

"No," she growled, "Assassins do not Escape!"

We stood shoulder to shoulder, all of us, and charged in one last time,

"For Celestia!" Sonambula roared as we dove into the ranks of the Assassins.

Now fearing us, the Griffons fell one after the other, they had to be turned into examples. It had to be known that attempting to harm the princess was death, tales had to be told far and wide of the gruesome end that befell assassins. I respected these warriors, while their will was broken none tried to surrender or beg for their lives. They fell fighting, as every warrior should.

There was a roar of rushing water, and I looked ahead to see the river ending about a mile downstream, all we had to do was hold out a little bit longer and we could drift off that waterfall to freedom.

"Get those prop engines going!" I heard a crew member shout,

"Good fight, Guard," Sonambula said, "Is anypony wounded?"

We all sounded off, having all suffered bumps and bruises but nothing serious.

Obsidian tossed off the gangplank into the water, as Star Shine shielded us from the arrows that were still flying. Oddly the corsair was still following us, soon we would be off the falls. . .the enemy ship should be slowing down, or cast in an anchor because they would never survive the plummet down the waterfall.

"What are they doing?" I asked, "Thy can't possible follow us,"

"I have a feeling they're not done," Morning Blast said.

Just as Morning blast predicted we saw the griffon crew preparing a massive harpoon gun on the deck, firing the tree-sized steel harpoon that smashed into the deck, impaling the Pelican, attaching our ship and the corsair by a heavy chain. As I saw the archers and the crew escaping into the sky, I realized what their plan was. When the pelican went off the falls and floated down, the weight of the other ship attached to the Pelican would tear our ship apart, sending us all plummeting into the valley below.

Already knowing this, the crew was working with axes and hammers on the Harpoon but it was stuck fast, and the chain was far to strong. Given a few hours they could remove the huge barb, but not before we toppled off the falls.

"Morning Blast! Four Speed! Windjammer!" Sonambula said, "That ship is empty, fly over there and knock that harpoon gun in the water!"

"Right!" We shouted in unison, taking flight over to the enemy ship.

It only took a moment to find the attached weapon, bolted to the deck with the chain leading from it to the Pelican. We found however that the ship was not empty, one last griffon stood in front of the Harpoon gun. He was taller than any of the other griffons, and wore ornate steel gauntlets on his talons that extended them into four long blades. This griffon had seen combat too, a leather patch covered a missing eye and one of his wings appeared to have been severed. Since he couldn't fly, he comrades had left him behind.

"No breaking my ship," The Griffon said in low, rasping voice. "You want to break chain? You must get past Gor."

"Sure," Four speed said, takin his sword in his mouth and charging.

Four speed was too slow, and Gor slapped him aside, tumbling across the deck. I followed, dipping under the first of Gor's attacks but he brought up a thick leg and I felt the world dimmed as a second blow came from those steel gauntlets.

I wasn't knocked unconscious but I was severely dazed, and I could see what happened next. Morning blast's face grew red and he snarled, Gor laughing at how easily that he'd struck us down. Morning blast let out a roar of anger and charged Gor, but instead of attacking him he rolled under Gor's attack, and brought himself down onto the deck near the Harpoon gun, splintering the wood under it.

Gor lumbered to Morning Blast and thrust his steel talons into his sides, the Pegasus shouted briefly, blood running down his blue coat. He mule kicked Gor, knocking him back, and stomped hard on the deck again. . .it was almost loose. Gor grabbed Blast's neck, the blades on his talons tearing even more flesh, and Gor raked his other talons across Blast's face. . Only to be knocked back one more time with a powerful kick . . .and with one more stomp the deck splintered and the harpoon gun flew off into the water with the chain still attached, the Pelican was free.

Morning Blast turned to face us, blood on his face, neck and sides, I could hardly recognize him, but he was smiling . . .and looking at us not Gor. Four-Speed and I struggled to our hooves, but we didn't have time to help. Morning Blast, that fun guy from the guard, who took care of his family, a stallion everypony called friend, was struck down with one final swipe of the Griffon's talon, smiling the entire time satisfied in his last moments that he could save his princess. It was almost as if he was telling us in that moment that everything was okay. . .he was meeting his end in the best possible way.

"No!" Four speed roared,

Together we charged, Catching Gor off guard and together shoving the big griffons toward the ship's rail, then though it. We watched as the big griffon sank into the river, weighed down by his heavy gauntlets.

We were nearing the waterfall, so we wasted no more time. We gathered up Morning blast and flew back to The Pelican, just as it slid off the waterfall and glided into a massive valley. Behind us the Corsair ship plummeted off the waterfall and dropped into the gathering mist in the valley. We landed carrying Morning Blast, laying him on the deck before Sonambula.

"My god," Sonambula said, "Who did this?"

"A griffon Guarding the Ship," I explained. "We, took him out."

All of us were quiet for a moment, Princess Celestia joining us on deck, a tear shimmering a diamond on her cheek as she saw Morning Blast's body. She laid next to the body, ignoring the blood.

"He died saving the ship," I said, "he saved us all,"

Celestia nodded, and stroked Morning Blast's mane, speaking softly. The mist of the waterfall was catching the sunlight and casting a ghostly rainbow over the subtle green of the valley floor deep below, nature's eulogy to the fallen warrior.

"Long ago, a warrior of great renown died in my service." Celestia said softly, "He found himself on the shores of a great sea, met by my sister, Charia , ferrypony of the afterlife. She said to the warrior 'what shall I do with you?'. He answered, 'Madame Charia, take my soul to the dry places, for certainly there is no place in paradise for one who spent his life dealing in pain and violence.' And My sister, turned up her chin and laughed, saying to him 'come to my table and sit at the highest place, paradise was made for Heros such as you.' Rest Morning Blast, my brave, and faithful guard, go to your reward."

I looked to Obsidian, and held her close, hearing her gentle sobs.

Then I heard the Clanking before I saw anything, and I turned to realize I was the sound of the chain being tugged,

"Are we. . Caught on something?" Celestia asked.

"Someone is on the Chain!" A crewman shouted just before a steel talon grabbed the griffon's neck and slammed the poor crewman.

"You bastard!" Four Speed roared, "You climbed the chain!"

Sonambula wasted no time, firing a massive concussive blast of Magic at the griffon, but it struck Gor's chest, a harmless as a flashlight.

"It's a soul stone!" Gregory said, "Magic won't hurt him!"

I'd heard of the soul stones, rare stones that for griffons worked like a unicorn's horn, however the magic was unfocused and raw. It made a bearer immune to all but the most powerful magic and could cast concussive blasts, but nothing complex.

Gor smiled, and before any of us could reach him, he gave a demonstration of the soul stone, slamming a steel fist into the deck and the Pelican shook and shuttered, and I realized the ship was splitting in half, creaking and shuttering, but instead of plummeting to the ground, the entire ship was surrounded in a blue aura. I turned to see Night Glade, having removed his fedora, exposing a small horn. He strained to hold the two halves of the ship together as the crew quickly worked to patch the fissure, I knew there was little time to reflect on the fact that Night Glade was An Alicorn.

Again, I charged, but Obsidian had reached the Big griffon first, tacking him to the ground, pummeling him with thunderous blows. Gor took the blows, digging one of his claws into Obsidian's side, but Sonambula arrived and rammed his saber through Gor's upper arm before the blades could sink deep enough to harm. Gor roared, and planted his feet on Obsidian's stomach and pushed her up and off of him, and she flew over the Ship's rail into the sky.

Without thinking I dove off the side of the ship, flying to Obsidian as she plummeted toward the valley, I expected a look of terror on her face, but what I saw was less terror and more relief at seeing me. I grabbed her and strained my wings, having forgotten just how heavy she was. I grabbed her, held her tight and lifted with all my strength feeling my wings strain and my legs shudder, she was far too heavy for me to lift alone, and we were still plummeting at an alarming rate.

"Let me go, save the princess!" She shouted,

"No," I said, straining with all my might as we fell, "never,"

"Windjammer, please!" Obsidian said, "I'm too heavy!"

"I'll save you, somehow!" I shouted, "I won't leave you!"

The ground was drawing closer, there was a lake below were the waterfall fell, but even if we hit the water we would strike it to hard to survive. . . I knew if I let her go I would live, but how could I live without Obsidian? I closed my eyes, I wound't let go, I'd meet my end or save her, but I wouldn't let go.

Before the impact I felt talons wrap around me, and we halted, I opened my eyes to see Griffon crewmen had gripped us and, with great effort were lifting us back to the ship.

"Thanks for the assist," I said to the griffons,

"Coming after you two was a lot better than being on the ship with that psycho!" The griffon said,

Looking back at the airship the blue aura was still around it, and the crew of the Pelican were patch in it,

"None of those other ponies are strong enough to hurt that guy!" The griffon said,

"I can hurt him," Obsidian said, "Take me right to him!"

"Please, be carful!" I said,

"I will, Windy!" She said.

The griffons carried Obsidian above the deck, where Gor squared off against the gathered guard, who were beaten and bruised but still standing. The dropped the big mare to the deck and she charged Gor Again, ramming him at full peed and smashing him into a hard wooden wall.

"You're alive!" Gor said, "It's rare I meet a pony that can match my strength,"

Obsidian just snarled, throwing Gor across the deck, where he stood and slammed his gauntlets together and a wave of force ripped across the deck, making planks fly from the ground, but Obsidian only planted her hooves as the attack blew past he, tearing off her cocktail dress but her locket held fast. Obsidan drew her broadsword, charging Gor with the tip toward him but the Griffon caught the broad blade between his steel talons, snapping the sword into a cloud of Metal shards. Obsidian didn't slow down, stabbing he broken edge of the sword into the Griffon's neck.

Gor gurgled and spat blood, throwing a wild haymaker with his gauntlet that struck Obsidian in the face that made the sound of a hammer striking an anvil, but she only grinned.

"Good to know that's as hard as you can hit," she said,

Obsidian dodged around another blow and wrapped her forelegs around Gor's long neck, straining as she squeezed as hard she could. Gor's eyes bulged, his breath choked off, he scratched and cut at Obsidian's arms but it only caused her to tighten her grip.

"This Is for Morning Blast," She grunted, tightening her grip even further, until there was a sound like a tree branch snapping, impossibly loud and Gor dropped to the deck, limp and devoid of life.

I looked to Night Glade, he shuddered and strained, but metal bands had been affixed around the hull to fix the breech and Princess Celestia caught Glade as he released his hold on the hull, almost passing out from the exertion. Count Valeris was already looking over Obsidian's modest wounds, and I ran to her side.

"That was amazing," I said, "Are you hurt?"

"Just a few cuts," Obsidian said, "You?"

"Bump on my head," I said,

"Your majesty," Captain Gillburry said, "The ship has taken some serious damage, the nearest friendly place we can set down is Ponyville, and we should be able to get there in a few hours if we go strait there,"

"Very well captain,"

----*----

We sat on the rear deck, Having had our minor wounds treated, we sat on deck chairs seeing the small town of Ponyville approach below us. Obsidian and I had stolen away from the ship repairs, feeing a need to be alone. We were covered in bandages and sore, holding each other close, trying to reflect on the day, an calm ourselves.

"I knew him for so long," Obsidian said, "We didn't talk of course, but he was always so sweet."

"I wish I had a chance to know him better," I said, "he saved all of us."

Obsidian hugged me close, "Windjammer, life is short, And I don't want to go back to School, I can get a place in Canterlot, work at Grandpa's store, and you can see me whenever you like."

"I would Love that Obsidian, but you should get your degree." I said. "I'm being reassigned to be Count Vaeris' new bodyguard, so I'll be spending a lot of time in Saddle Arabia."

"But, don't you want to be with me?"

"Of course I do," I said, "But the count can use a bodyguard that can speak he language and knows the area, it's what the princess wishes."

"There's other guards who speak saddle-Arabian," Obsidian offered, "You could talk to the princess about staying in the castle, she'll understand."

This bothered me, the idea that I would impose myself on the princess was unthinkable.

"Obsidian, it's not my place to question the princess,"

"Windy you don't have to question her, just talk to her. She'll help you work something out."

"I can't just tell the princess that I can't do what she asks of me because of a Mare I met a week ago,"

As soon as I said it, I knew it was the wrong thing to say.

"Is that what I am?" Obsidian asked, her eyes wide.

"No. . ."

"Then why did you say it?" Obsidian asked, her lip quivering.

"Because, I am a soldier, in the service of a Goddess, and I have to put her wishes above my own. If I were a free man I would spend every moment with you but life isn't like that,"

"Windjammer you are free," Obsidin said,

"I'm not free," I explained "It is not for me to question the princess becauseI owe her my family's freedom."

Obsidian backed up, her face deeply saddened, "How much of you is still in that desert? You're allowed to be happy! Celestia doesn't want a slave!"

"I was NEVER a Slave!" I said, surprised at the tone of my own voice, "You have no idea what I've had to endure,"

"No, I don't." Obsidian said softly, "I just know, I want to be with you, because when I'm with you I feel like I'm where I belong. I hoped that no matter what you've been through, that maybe I helped you feel the same way,"

"You have," I said, "But life isn't fair, and I cannot abandon the princess for my own desires."

"I'm not asking you to leave the guard, I just want you to realize that you deserve to be happy,"

"And Morning Blast deserves to be alive," I said, coldly. "But he is not."

Obsidian scowled, standing to leave. "But you are," She said. "You should act like it."

The black mare walked off the deck, leaving me alone. I'd hurt her, but it was for the best, everything I loved I lost and I was best to be a bittersweet memory than an anchor holding her down. I could never tell the princess that an important assignment wasn't what I wanted, I could never question a goddess. Still, as the ship touched down on the lake in Ponyville I felt a deep emptiness overcome me, and began to sob.

The last time I felt this despair, this fear, was when I was just a foal, I didn't even have my cutie mark, and the wagons came to my home, and took me away from my mother. Except this time, it was not cruel soldiers taking me away at the end of spears, but my own fear of loving anything. Obsidian was right, there was just to much of me still in that desert for me to ever love her as I she deserved.

Chapter Five: Facing the Past

After the Pelican managed to limp it's way back to Ponyville, we were met by a larger contingent of guards, loading those that couldn't fly back into chariots, this was Standard procedure. . .in and Emergency the Princesses made their way back to the castle as quickly as possible, no matter how far away they were. Fortunately Canterlot was only a few miles away, though most of that distance was strait up into the mountains.

I didn't speak with Obsidian on the return journey, I told myself it was because I was busy with making sure everypony was safe, but that was patently untrue and I knew it. She was good at the silent treatment, unsurprisingly and I found myself glad she was still wearing the locket I had gotten her. Perhaps that was a good sign,perhaps she'd just not thought to take it off.

I told myself I'd talk to her when we got back to the dorm, try to untangle what I'd said the night before. I desperately just wanted to talk to her, try and explain that she was special to me . . .I honestly had no plan. When the sun was finally down I walked back into the dorm and knocked on Obsidian's door, and there was no answer. My heart sank, where was she? We were technically on a"Grievance Leave" because of Morning Blast's death, officially off duty for a few days . . .had she gone into town to see her grandparents?

I pushed open the door, peeking inside. . .the room was empty,cold,dark and lifeless. There was still a hint of her perfume in the air. Here where her and I spent magical times together, where I learned to love and be loved. . .now was empty. I could relate to this room,Without Obsidian I was empty. I could look for her, ask around. ..but if she wanted to speak with me she would, and I wasn't sure what I'd say anyway.

I laid in my bed, under the blankets that Obsidian helped me pick out on our second "date" resting my head on the pillow she recommenced, and turned down the lantern she showed me was on sale. Everything in my room reminded me of her, of the way she made me feel at home. Still, this was as it should be. . . I owed the princess everything, and denying her wishes for my own desires was against everything I was ever taught about my role in the world. I closed my eyes, and forced myself into sleep.

----*----

My Dreams were unpleasant.

I found myself on a ridge, on a red night, wearing a tattered white turban and robe to fend off the cold of the night. Below my, a city burned. My fellow legionaries, carrying torches, stormed into the town but I remained on the rocky ridge, the sounds of slaughter below. . .screams of children, men begging for their lives. My commander roared at the Legionaries, demanding they had no mercy. The dark of the night was made an eerie red from the flames, so bright it illuminated the clouds from below. I was hiding in the cleft of the rock, watching the chilling slaughter as well as I could in the dim light, which thankfully gave me no view.

"Why are you hiding Windjammer? Why are you not down there with your brethren, in that city who's name you do not remember?" The ghostly voice of princess Luna called out.

I turned my head to see the Indigo princess outlined in the orange of the distant firelight, her eyes sad.

"They demanded we march through the streets, burning every house, shop and stall." I explained as if this was all the answer I needed. "anyone who resisted we were to kill,"

"But you were indentured to the Tajir, shouldn't you have done what they said?" Luna asked.

"Yes, but-"

"And were you penalized for your insubordination?" she asked.

"I was beaten, and my debt was increased."

"Then why did you not simply do as they said?" She asked. "You certainly didn't know any of the ponies in this city, you owe them nothing."

I shook my head, "I could never kill innocents, I couldn't have stopped it but I refused to participate, my own conscience is clear. Still, it was ultimately for nothing; the city still burned."

"I see," the Princess said.

The scene in my dream changed dramatically, twisting and warping into a bright and warm day in a crowded market. A chubby flower merchant smiled at me, holding a bouquet of Jasmine flowers.

"That will be five rel," The Merchant said.

I reached into my modest coin purse, handing almost half the money I had to the merchant.

"Thank you sadik, and you mentioned you wanted these delivered?" The kindly merchant said.

"Yes, to a mare named Jamila, on Fortune square, the red house."

"I will take it there myself later today," The Merchant said, "Would you like to include a note?"

I thought for a moment, "Yes, tell her. . .Do not loose hope, your family is well and we love you. . . we will return to you."

The Merchant wrote down the message and nodded. "Of course, I will include that."

"Thank you," I said with a smile, walking away from the Merchant's stall.

Just around a corner in the street I saw Princess Luna, shielding her eyes with a parasol at a market cafe, eating from a bowl of dates.

"That was a very nice gesture," Luna said, "But I thought you were Forbidden to contact your mother while you were indentured."

I nodded, "I was,"

"And your superiors, did they find out?"

"Yes,"

"This time, you received far more than a beating."

I paused, hating the memory. "I was branded with hot irons, and starved for three days. They only started feeding me again because they needed me for a fight. It was nothing but molded bread and rotten rice."

Luna motioned for me to sit, and I did.

"Windjammer,it's unusual, you have a rebellious heart, you have always been determined to do what was best for other regardless of the consequences to yourself. You did good with no hope of reward, and somehow you still feel you deserve nothing. You have such a good heart, I have rarely seen one so selfless and pure."

I smiled humbly, but these were not good memories for me.

Luna changed the scene again, we were standing in that city again, the who's name I failed to even remember. A few blocks were scorched and burned but I was surprised to find most of the streets were untouched. I saw a father hold his children, a Merchant proudly open his shop, a road side diner handing out food to those that lost their homes, a cloth seller handing out blankets to homeless to fight the cold night. This town was supposed to be nothing but ashes, yet most of it still stood.

"I had no idea,"

"These ponies are alive to this day because you inspired a mass desertion,and the Tajir was unable to harm these people as they wished."

With this, I knew my act of rebellion, those scars from the whip that Ihid because I was ashamed of them. . .they were now marks I could be proud of.

"I will show you one more thing, and it may disturb you." Princess Luna said plainly, "But you will see that what you do is not in vein."

With that, we were in that red house on Fortune square, the house where I grew up. Then, I saw my mother. She was older than I remember, but wearing her years well. She was thin, and the hijab she always wore was now threadbare. I wept, she was alive and well, and there on a shelf near the window were all the wooden ships I made her for hearth's warming eve. She was talking to Al-Abalah, and the conversation was one I never knew took place.

"Madame Jamila," Al-Abalah greeted.

"Remove yourself from his house," She said with a scowl, "Only my husband is welcome here, and once the religious courts review my appeal he will return."

"That is the matter I wished to discuss with you," Al-Abalah said. "I fear there was an accident at the Oil field, and your husband and sons have died."

Jamila's eyes were wide, shimmering with tears, "No. . ."

"It's A LIE!" I shouted,

"Windjammer,this is but a shadow of the past, none can hear you." Luna explained, "But do not despair, this will get better, just watch."

"Madame Jamila," The Tajir grumbled, "I am quite sorry for your loss,they were good workers all of them. But I'm afraid that their debt passes to this house, I will have to take it."

"Please,don't do this!" Jamila said, sobbing openly, "This home has been in my family since the time of my grandfather, don't make me loose all I have left of my family,"

Al-Abalah sighed, "Well, there is something I can do. If you were to become one of MY wives, I could release the debt. You know how long I've desired you, Jamila. . .I offered you a place in my harem so many times but instead you chose to marry a penniless foreigner. I cannot offer you love as he gave you, but I can offer a life of luxury,wealth and power. And, I'll allow you to keep this. . .hovel. We can use it for storage, or you can live here as long as I'm allowed to visit so you can fulfill your. . .Marital duties."

Jamila winced at the words.

"Come with me to my palace, you can grieve and I can show you a sample of the life I can give you."

My mother was devastated. . .looking like an empty husk. I wanted to hold her, wanted to let her know I was there, but I knew this was the past.

"You have won Al-Abalah," She said, defeated. "If you let me keep this home, I will go with you."

Al-Abala smiled, "There you go, you were always so much smarter than the other Girls, in time you will realize you've made the right choice. Let us go,"

Jamila put on her face veil walking out the front door with Al-Abalah to the front stoop where I used to sit with my brothers and play games and watch Fortune square beyond. There on the stoop was a bouquet of Jasmine flowers. I sent those flowers for a reason, my brothers and I used to walk to the Oasis and pluck the fresh Jasmine there, and every time our mother would put them on the dinner table, proudly telling my father how we found them for her. She knew they were from her family, I could see it in her eyes.

"Doubtless,someone has . . .heard of your family's death. . ." Al-Abalah said,trying to explain.

My mother read the note and She smiled broadly with that same smile she had when I presented her with those flowers as a young colt. Then quickly, the look turned to rage.

"Al-Abalah YOU are a liar!" She hissed, "My family Lives!"

"Anypony could have sent those. . ."

"I was a fool to believe anything that comes from your vile mouth!"

Al-Abalah grabbed my mother's foreleg and pulled her along, stomping on the bouquet in the process. "You stupid woman, your family is as good as lost, if you had any sense at all you would join my Harem and live in luxury, you will come with me to the Palace or I will drag you there!"

"Help!"Jamila called out. "I am being Abducted!"

A burly enforcer lumbered toward Jamila, wielding a long Scimitar.

"Release that Mare!" He Shouted,

"This is none of your concern enforcer," Al-Abalah said, tossing a bag of gold coins on the ground, "Take that, buy yourself a new cloak."

The enforcer kicked the bag of gold back at Al-Abalah, the coins hitting his face, "You damned Tajir, thinking you can buy whatever you want, Madame Jamila will be going nowhere with you. Now leave this place or I'll drag you to the Mullah and we'll see how well you can bribe the courts."

Al-Abalah scowled, "Very well," he hissed. "But mark my words, Jamila. ..your family will NEVER be free, I will own your grandchildren and their descendants until the end of time!"

"I told you to Move along!" The Enforcer said aiming his scimitar at the Tajir, "Or I'll forget the Mullah entirely and cut you down for resisting an enforcer of the sheikh!"

Without another word, Al-Abalah gathered up his gold and trotted off. The Enforcer picked up the flowers, handing them to my mother.

"Are you harmed Madame Jamila?"

Shes hook her head, "No Enforcer, thank you for your help."

"I will take my leave," he said with a bow.

I felt myself start to awake, willing myself back to sleep. I wanted to stay there, with my mother. . .the last thing I saw was Jamila putting those broken, stomped-on flower into a vase and putting the mon the dining room table, as she always did. Just before I awoke, I heard Luna's ghostly voice call out to me one last time.

"Windjammer,for all this good you've done. . .you deserve to be happy."

I awoke looking up to the sunbathed windowsill to see sompony had placed a single Jasmine flower in a vase on the windowsill.

----*----

Morning Blast was headed home for the last time, his remains would be taken what to his family in Whinnyapolis. Four-Speed would be traveling with it, and presenting a folded Equestrian flag at his funeral. I met him at the gate, to say goodbye to Blast, and wish Four-speed safe travels. Star shine hugged her friend, the two sharing a solemn word. I wondered where Obsidian was, it seems she'd want to say goodbye to her friend as well but I figured she'd likely already done so.

I placed a hoof on the coffin, saying the first prayer I'd said in decades.

"The peace of the All-Father be with you," I said, "Rest well friend,"

Four-Speed shook my hoof, nodded to me.

"I think you should know Obsidian came by my room last night," He said, unceremoniously. "She was crying, told me everything. Slept on the couch, said she didn't want to be alone."

I looked down at the grass, feeling suddenly ashamed.

"You know, she was quiet for so many years because she was afraid we were going to be like the ponies she grew up with. . .call her names, make fun of her. She'd just go back to her room and play those records,all alone. I don't know what you did man, but when you came along she opened up, started to feel not so alone. Then you went and screwed it up."

"I'm sorry-"

"I don't give a damn about your apology," Four-Speed said, angrily. "I gotta go bury my best friend, and I sure as hell don't want to loose another. If you just shrug her off because you're afraid of being happy I'll loose her as a friend, she'll just close herself off. . .I can't deal with that."

"If there was something I could do I would," I said.

"She loves you. . .you know that?"

"Yes."

"If somepony ever bothered to love me I'd do anything to make it work,"Four Speed said, pulling the wagon past the gate. "I don't know who broke your will, but I think I pity you more than anything."

Star Shine watched the wagon leave, looking into my eyes for a brief second, her eyes were sad and seemed to beg me to make things right.

"Sergeant!"I heard Lieutenant Ruckus shout.

"Yes Sir," I said as I Saluted.

"Come with me."

I followed the Pegasus into the palace, where he walked into a near-invisible side door, and the decor of the palace ceased at the narrow stairwell, only cold grew wall leading down to a torch-lit hall. It was a Dungeon, I wasn't aware there was any need for a Dungeon in Equestria, judging by the cobwebs and dust it didn't see much use.

At the end of the long narrow hall, Captain Shining armor stood outside the door, wielding his spear. I saluted sharply and he returned to salute.

"At ease, Windjammer." Shining armor said. "Take a look in the cell,"

I complied, and in the dimly lit cell, standing on a bed of straw. ..was Al-Abalah. The Tajir looked worse for wear, sporting a new black eye and swollen jaw. With his expensive robes and jewelry having been stripped away he looked broken and without pride. When he saw me, I saw fear in his eyes.

"After we heard the distress call from the Pelican, we suspected Al-Abalah had something to do with it." Shining Armor explained, "We found him near the docks, at the home of a griffon known for shady contacts."

"He hired the assassins," I said, feeling my rage build.

"He confessed everything after a little. . . coercion." Ruckus explained. "He liquidated his estate, used the money to hire the assassins, figuring once the Princess was dead he'd get his slaves back."

"We're going to have to send him back to Saddle-Arabia for trial." Shining Armor said, "The Tajir aren't too popular there now, they never were I guess. He'll probably be beheaded, if somepony he's wronged doesn't kill him first."

"Yep, somepony he's wronged might get to him before he goes to Trial,"Ruckus said. "Somepony he took away from their family, sompony he's treated like a dog for years. Can't say I would hate that."

"But,if he tries to escape, one of the guards would kill him." Shining Armor said plainly. "He's going to die in Saddle Arabia anyway."

I saw Al-Abalah shiver at the thought.

Ruckus and Shining Armor looked at each other and nodded, Shining Armor handed me the spear, and Ruckus unlocked the cell, pulling the door wide open.

"Well,we have things to do." Shining armor said, and then the both ofthem left, leaving me alone in the dungeon with the Tajir.

I Stepped into the cell, and there I was; armed with a spear, and alone with the stallion who ruined my life. Al-Abalah looked up at me, his eyes sad but resigned to the fate that would inevitably befall him.

"Well, looks like you've won." he said, quietly. "I won't give you the satisfaction of begging, you want to kill a broken old man with nothing left. . .go ahead."

I aimed the spear down, lining it up for a thrust to the heart.

"I somehow knew it all along, you were far to wily, to strong to be subjugated. To much of your mother in you, to much of your infidel father. It was inevitable, that you'd beat me somehow."

I shook, it would be so easy, so simple, just one thrust, no pony would blame me.

"I only wish I could had said goodbye to them,"

"To who?" I found myself asking.

Al-Abalah looked up, suddenly panicked, "You will never find them! I sent them away as soon as the Fatwa was issued!"

"WHO!"

"My Daughters if you must know!" Al-Abalah shouted, his voice cracking."And they had nothing to do with me! They despised the Inducement system as much as you do. . .but even if they defied me I would never allow them to come to harm! So Kill me if you must but if you harm my family then I will curse you from the grave!"

Just one thrust . . . I didn't know what was holding me back!

"If only I had one more chance to speak to them, I could tell them they were right." Al-Abalah said, tears in his eyes. "Tell them I love them despite it all, they'll never know I truly cared for them."

I shook with anger, both at Al-Abalah and myself.

"I four places were reversed, If you were holding the spear, you would kill me wouldn't you?"

Al-Abalah scowled, "Yes!"

I thrust the spear, feeling it connect with the stone floor just in front of Al-Abalah's head.

"But I would not!" I roared, "Because I'm better than you!"

"You fool, just do it!"

"I will not," I said, picking up the spear. "I will spare you, where you would not spare me. That puts you in MY debt, you are familiar with that system aren't you?"

"What could I possibly give you? I have nothing left!"

"Return to Saddle Arabia, the courts will allow you to see your Daughters before you are executed. They are innocents, and will be able to get though the mob."

"How could I face them?" Al-Abalah said,

"You're in my debt, so you must." I insisted, "You are a vile beast of a man, but your love for your daughters is no different than the love I have for my Family. I won't take away your chance to tell them you love them, and make peace."

Al-Abalah nodded, barely a hint of a smile on his lips. I walked out of the cell, slammed the door and as I walked out of the dungeon making my way down the torch-lit hall. I turned before I reached the stairs,feeling I had one last thing to say.

"Al-Abalah, one last thing."

"Yes?" the old man said tiredly.

I took a deep breath, finding these next words, very hard to say. "I forgive you. May the All-Father have Mercy on you and your kin."

There was a long pause, then I heard his voice from the darkness.

"And with you Windjammer, Go in his peace."

I climbed out of the Dungeon and saw Ruckus, Shining Armor and Night Glade waiting for me in the palace hall.

"So?"Ruckus said.

"He didn't try to escape." I explained, handing Shining armor his spear back.

Lieutenant ruckus sighed, turning to night glade and handing him a few bits. "I could have sworn he would do it,"

"This is why I don't gamble," Shining armor laughed, "Especially when it comes the the integrity of my Guards."

Glade laughed, "I wouldn't have set this up if I thought he would go through with it, Ruckus."

"Well,I supposed I better organize a squad to get that sack of crap to Saddle Arabia." The Lieutenant said, patting me on the back, "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I lost that bet, Windjammer."

"Come with me, Windjammer." Night Glade said, "We're going to have teawith the princess."

I was confused, "I should get my Armor. . ."

Glade laughed, "You're not on duty, she doesn't want you to guard her while she has tea, she wants to have tea with you."

I followed Glade, feeling thoroughly unworthy, I tried to take my mind of having tea with a princess.

"So,why do you hide that you're an alicorn?" I asked as we ascended abroad marble staircase.

"I was just wearing a hat," Glade said with a laugh. "I never told you I wasn't and Alicorn.

I nodded, "I suppose Star Shine found out,"

Glade laughed, "She was okay with it." he said. "Are you making conversation because you're nervous?"

"Yeah. ." I admitted.

"Don't be, Celestia is a pony, just like any of us. And don't start in with all that 'goddess' crap, I've seen some very. . .interesting beings in my adventures that are far more qualified to be called Gods than her. Gods demand worship, they rule with fear. . .Celestia rules with love and compassion."

I wanted to argue, but his point made sense.

"I've seen ponies worship her. . ."

"Zealots,"Glade said simply, "Saddle Arabia is full of them, but you know that. Have you ever been near Baharra and seen those guys who worship a dry lake bed?"

I laughed, "The Salt people. . ." I said, remembering. "They actually worship water but the spring they worshiped dried up centuries ago,"

"Good folks, but a little weird."

"Oh yes,"

Glade pushed open a broad door leading to a Balcony that lead to balcony,that gave a stunning view off the cliff side of the palace. Princess Celestia sat there, a tray with teapot and cups next to her. Unusually, Celestia was not wearing her crown or royal jewels, it was jarring. . .almost like seeing her nude. Night glade gave her a hug, and sat next to her on a silken pillow.

"Join us, Windjammer." Celestia said.

I nervously walked in, sitting on the pillow next to Celestia,expecting another guard to drag me out any second.

"How do you take your tea?" Glade said, levitating a cup.

"I've.. .never had tea," I explained.

"Sugar, you'll want sugar." Glad said levitating a sugar cube to the cup.

"Glade, I've told you the natural flavor of the tea should not be covered up with sugar," Celestia said.

"Well,I like my tea sweet, and I bet Windjammer will to."

"Whatever you think best. . ." I said, accepting the cup, taking a long sip. It was good, though I believe I preferred coffee.

"Windjammer,when you swore your oath to me, we had a conversation afterward, do you remember what I told you?"

I searched my memory as I sipped my tea, "You, requested that I do my duty"

Celestia shook her head, "After that, I'm sure you remember."

I sighed, "Yes, you said 'above all else, do what makes me happy'"I said,

"Have you done that?"

"Your Majesty, my own happiness isn't important,"

"Answer the question," Celestia said Calmly, sipping her tea. "And be honest."

I closed my eyes, hating to admit it; "No,"

Celestia and Night Glade shared a glance, both nodding.

"Star Shine and Obsidian had me over for breakfast," Night Glades explained, "She didn't say a lot but she did mention, she spent the night before crying, because of something you said."

"I make a point not to get to involved in the lives of my guard if I can avoid it, but this is different." Celesita said. "You grew up with no rights whatsoever, but you resisted every opportunity you had, but you still have this idea that your owe me something, so I made an exception and told you quite clearly that you owe me nothing."

"Yes, you did."

"Then why do you insist that you do?"

I thought before I answered, "You. . .freed me, freed my family,"

Celestia shook her head, "Windjammer, you were the one who escaped the Legion, you were the one who gave me the excuse I needed to make the Fatwa. I knew the Tajir would send assassins, but because one of their indentured were now in my service it would not result in a full-scale war, I would be seen as freeing one of my servants, not as a foreign ruler imposing my will on a sovereign nation. Because of you my Holy Edict was celebrated, not despised. It was YOUR courage that freed the oppressed, not mine."

"You did help," Glade offered.

"To some degree," Celestia admitted with a shrug.

I realized she was right, it was Celestia who was forced to act, because of me. If I would have never gotten out of the legion, her Holy Edict could have caused the relations between Saddle Arabia and Equestria to collapse.

"If you were to take that appointment with Count Valeris, you wouldn't have a chance to see Obsidian very much, almost none at all to be honest."

"That is true," I replied.

"So,because you believe that I desired you to take the assignment,perhaps you figured it would be best to push Obsidian away instead of drifting apart over time."

I shook, "Yes,"

Glade Frowned, "That won't do my man, not at all."

"Windjammer, because I insisted you do what makes you happy, then you have ultimately defied me, correct?"

"Yes,"

"So?"

"I would rather not take that assignment, I would rather be with Obsidian."

"Yes! You know it!" Glade said giving a fist pump, "I knew he'd get it!"

"Calm down, Glade" Celestia said rolling her eyes. "honestly, let's not embarrass him."

"Sorry, your Majesty," Glade said with a blush.

"I. . .said some things that hurt her," I said, "She'd never forgive me."

"Oh really?" Celestia said with a smirk, "But did you not just spare the life of Al-Abalah? I'm sure you don't feel for him the way Obsidian feels for you, so her forgiveness with certainly come a little easier."

I turned to Night Glade, "You set this up,"

Night Glade pointed a hoof to himself, "Me?"

"Oh please Night Glade, you're fooling nopony,"

Glade blushed and sipped his tea.

"Now, Windjammer, I'm sure you have things to take care of." Celestia said, "If I know Obsidian, when she feels down she goes to Pony Joe's and gets a cruller. If you hurry, you will catch her."

I stood, looking to Celestia and bowed, "I. . .thank you Your Majesty, for everything. And you Night Glade, for being meddlesome."

"Hey,you were just as meddlesome when It came to Star Shine." Glade said.

"I suppose," I admitted.

"So, you help me I help you." Glade said.

"Hurry, Windjammer, and be honest." Celestia said.

I smiled, and dove off the Balcony, flying into the sky over the castle. Halfway across the city my nerves began to get to me. . .wondering all along how I could possibly take back what I'd said,explain what a fool I'd been, how I could find the right words. I could face armies. . .but facing the mare I'd hurt was making me want to flee back to the castle. I was most of the way there, no turning back. . .the only way out was through.

I landed in front of the doughnut shop, on a Sunday it was fairly deserted, and through the window . . .Saw her. She was so beautiful,but looked so sad as she sipped on her hot cocoa and worked on aplate of crullers. I forced myself forward, now almost shaking in fear. She saw me, and her eyes showed anticipation, fear, a hundred emotions at once.

Like a sword master looking for an opening move, I searched my mind for something. . .anything I could say to explain why I showed up out of nowhere and were now staring at her blankly. I decided that I had to say something, so I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind.

"I'm an Idiot!" I said far louder than I intended to.

Obsidian looked at me confused, "Okay . . ."

"Uh. . .can I sit?"

Obsidian looked away, and Nodded.

I sat and a helpful waitress brought me a cup of hot cocoa. I rapidly thought of something else to say.

"I talked to the princess," I said, "I'm not going to Saddle Arabia,"

Obsidian sighed, "Windjammer, if you want to take the position, I shouldn't ask you to turn it down."

"No, it's not what I want, and I won't do it, and if you want to stay herein Canterlot instead of going back to college, I'd really like that."

"You were right, you just met me," Obsidian said, "If your duty is important to you then. . ."

"It's not," I said, "You're important to me,

"Windjammer don't-"

"I love you!" I barked out suddenly, Loud enough that a few patrons turning to look.

Obsidian's eyes softened, but she seems to be trying to process what I was saying, so I decided to give her more information.

"I love your big expressive eyes, your long soft mane, the ribbon in your tail, how when we're holding each other everything that was wrong in my life is suddenly right. I love how you laugh, your voice, how you make me feel like I have a home again, how you taught me it's okay to be happy. . .how you stand by me, how you fight with courage, I'm head over-hooves hopelessly madly in love with you, andI can never forgive myself for EVER trying to push you away."

Obsidian looked up at me, her shy smile.

"I love you too," She said quietly, "I love how you talk to me like I'm just like every pony, I love how you make me feel like I belong. Anypony who's been though what you've been though should hate everything, but you don't, you care for everypony, you're generous and kind and you dared to love me. . .a big goofy mare who likes obscure records, and that makes me so lucky. I just, Love you a whole lot."

I reached across the table to touch my hooves to her's.

"I'm not, prefect," I explained, "I wish I could take back what I told you, what I said about Morning Blast. . . I can't. But I will keep the promise I made you on the Pelican, I will always come back to you. And I will always cherish you. Because I love you, and nothing will ever change that."

"I,know you were mixed up." Obsidian said, "I was just. . .so scared you would push me away."

"Never again," I said, "I thought I was just a fool drifting though life, but I was shown by a few, very special ponies that I'm not. I thought I was just lucky but I did it, I made my life better, and I am not powerless. And I swear to Celestia, I want you in my life, and I won't let go of that."

Obsidian leaned forward, giving me a kiss, that felt a lot like our first,soft, but deep at the same time. It was if our souls were connecting in the moment, just as they did before. I felt warm all over, perfectly at one. . .We were in love.

"So," Obsidian said, after a moment "I actually checked with Baltomare University, if I was willing to spend a bit more time on it, I can take the rest of my classes via mail. So. . .in a week when I'm out of the guard I can just move into a place in town and work on my degree there."

"That works perfectly," I said, "And you were right, there are other guards who can speak Saddle-Arabian. I already told Celestia I didn't want the appointment so-"

"Celestia?"Obsidian said, surprised, "Not 'princess' not 'her majesty' not 'my Goddess'?"

I shook my head, "She's not a goddess," I said, "Something Quite better actually, she's a pony who cares for others."

Obsidian smiled her broad smile, "Well you'll get to know her better as time goes on." she said.

"I look forward to knowing you better, my star, my mare of the night, my love. . ."

Obsidian blushed, "You will."

And for many years afterward, I learned more about Obsidian, like discovering new facets of a Jewell. I came to Canterlot to find my purpose, and I did. My Purpose would be the many years we spent together afterward, my adventure would be that quiet life. My duty,to love and be loved. There were far more adventures afterward, to be sure . . .far more than can be written of here.

One day, I may just tell you about them.

THE END

Chapter One: Welcome to the Guard

I saw her, the day I came to the caste. One one of the white ivory towers, standing in an anger window. I saw nothing but her outline, but her animate mane, incredible stature, her broad wings were enough for me to know her. I don't know what she was doing, glancing out that window, doubtless is was a mundane moment for her. Celestia was likely just walking one place to another as part of some random task, one of hundreds of thousands of average days she spent in the halls of the palace. For me however, just that passing glance of one of the most thrilling experiences of my life up until that point. Five years spent tooling around the mountains chasing bandits and smugglers, eating stale hard tack, sleeping on rocks, nursing spear wounds and marching days at a time in wether perpetually to hot or too cold . . .all this was worth it just be be assigned to the castle, just to be as close as I could to the most beautiful and caring pony in all the world. That once glance of her silhouette , a glance that lasted les than a second, filled me with so much joy that every moment of suffering was worth it, even if I never saw her again.

Of course, I would see her again, so in hindsight staring at that window during a sparring session with Obsidian, one of the royal line breakers, and the largest mare I've ever met, was kind of stupid. Her instructions were to give me a beating that would break me in and welcome me to the ranks of the Royal guard, but not send me to the infirmary. As soon as I'd turned to catch a fleeting glimpse of the princess, she took the opportunity to deliver a kick to my jaw that slapped my teeth together and put stars in my eyes. I really should have been paying attention Obsidian, It was my luck she preferred the kick to smacking me again with the wooden sword she held in her mouth. Despite the ringing in my ears from the blow I turned myself back towards the massive earth pony, preparing my attack. Even though this was unofficially an excuse to beat up the greenhorn I was expected to at east put up a fight.

The rest of the Royal guards stood about stomping their hooves, rudely encouraging my to strike back. Even though I knew every attack I would make would result in Obsidian once more demonstrating how little I know about one on one combat, I dove in again to strike futilely at the mountain of a mare, who countered by pushing the dull tip of her sword into my throat, causing me to hack and cough. The crowd laughed and once more shouted for me to strike back, but I was having trouble drawing a breath. I felt my hooves go out from under me as I was tripped, and In a second I was being pushed to the ground as Obsidian used her sizable rump to pin me, siting on my back and raising her hooves in triumph. I don't think I could have moved her with a bulldozer.

In truth, I never stood a chance. I had fought larger opponents before Obsidian, stronger ones too. She was however far, far more skilled than me. I was a Pegasus, I was supposed to be faster than an Earth pony twice my size but that was not the case. I Managed to only get one blow in, a swift strike against Obsidian's jaw, it felt like I hit a stone column and she showed not reaction to the blow. The rest of the Royal guard, shouting and cheering and chanting. I was surprised to her them chanting my name and not Obsidian's. The big mare lifted me, setting me on her shoulders, it caused every bruise I just received to radiate dull pain but I was nonetheless flattered as the guards welcomed me.

"Now you're one of us, Windjammer!"
"Way to go!"
"Welcome to the guard!"

Part of me wanted to sit down and collect myself (Mainly the part that just had a merciless beating) but it was hard not to feel like I achieved something great that day. Obsidian set me back down on my hooves, looking deep into my eyes with a gentle smile on her face. Her coat was jet black like her name, her almond eyes an icy blue. She didn't say anything, she didn't have to, she raised a hoof to indicate a swelling welt on her jaw, as if I was the best compliment she could offer me. I managed to hit her once for the thirty times she struck me and that was supposed to be some kind of achievement. She gave me a wink, and I shrugged apologetically.

"Sir," I said, doing my best to stand up strait.

"At ease, Sargent Windjammer." Ruckus said. "You did surprisingly well. Most stallions cower in a ball when faced with Obsidian here,"

"I saw an opening and I took it," I explained. "It was pure luck though, Obsidan is an amazing fighter. ."

Obsidian blushed in response, then smiled giving me a playful shove that almost put me back in the dirt.

"Now that we have you broken in, I'm glad to welcome you to the Royal guard."

Obviously I'd already been officially welcomed in, had my security screening, interviews, tests, and received my sun steel armor and had my coat powdered to a brilliant white. I was already an official Royal guard assigned to Helios duty, being one of 160 mares and stallions who were the personal bodyguards of Princess Celestia. This little initiation of a new recruit getting a sound beating was just a tradition. It was humbling to know I wasn't the best fighter in the unit, that's likely why the tradition existed. If had any undue pride before my sparring match, it was gone now.

"All right guards, you got work so get back to it!" Ruckus shouted. "Windjammer, grab your bags and come with me."

I didn't have a chance to grab my bags, I felt the weight of them drop onto my back, Obsidian having set them on My freshly bruised body. She give me a smile as she turned to leave, her equally black tail swishing back and forth as she sauntered off.
"I think you impressed her," Ruckus said in passing as he trotted toward the barracks.

I followed the stallion as we headed for the barracks, a nondescript stone structure built into the wall that surrounded the castle. If you didn't know where the barracks were, you probably wouldn't spot them, they were hidden behind a few short bushy trees but as we pushed though the undergrowth I was surprised a the size of the casually hidden building. It was larger than the house I grew up in, a few guards stood outside, practicing with their spears pausing to give Ruckus a casual salute as we passed.

"This is #3 barracks, we have four in the castle." Ruckus explained, "Let me give you the tour."

The Lieutenant pushed open the large wooden door, leading into a large stone floored room were several guards sat In worn wooden chairs, polishing their armor, sharpening swords, a few simply reading or conversing. A burn board posted forms for leave requests and other bulletins. Somepony was trying to organize a chess tournament, another was looking to sell an old sharpening stone.

"This is the day room," Ruckus explained, waving a hoof. "If you're on duty but don't have a station just chill here and wait for an assignment, the lockers are along the wall, stow your gear an uniforms in there."

We passed the day room, where at the head of a long hallway there was a window in the wall leading into an office. Inside was a brilliant blue unicorn with white hair typing at a typewriter, never looking up from his work as they typed.

"This is Albedo, we cal him Al. He's company clerk, he handles your paycheck and the your mail." Ruckus explained, "And through here is my office, come on in Sergeant."

I passed into Lieutenant Ruckus' office, a fairly spartan stone room with a single high window, it that would resemble a dungeon if not for Ruckus's desk, an equestrian flag and a rough-hewn wooden desk. There was a yellowed photo of him with Captain shining armor, the two smiling about something doubtless long forgotten. He motioned for me to sit, taking a moment as I did to produce a scroll that I knew was my background report.

"So, you served in the Saddle Arabian legion?" He asked.

"Yes sir."

"Rough outfit. Equestrian ex-patriots don't get the good assignments there,"

"No sir, they don't make it easy on us."

"Anypony with at least two years relevant service can apply for the Royal guard, but we usually don't get ponies that lived abroad. What made you come back?"

I considered my answer, I had nothing to hide but I didn't want to seem disrespectful. "I still consider Equestria my home and Celestia my princess." I finally said.

"You were eligible for Equestrian Militia service, why sign up with the Legion?" Ruckus asked.

"My family is Indentured to the Tajir," I explained, "I had to work for them, so I chose to serve them in the legion instead of the oil fields. It's hard to get tar out of your coat, you see."

Ruckus laughed, "Well, I guess that makes sense. The reason I vetted you ahead of the other applicants is because you saw action. Militia ponies don't usually see any combat, most are just ponies who want to wear a nice uniform and Mach in parades. Your service record seems more like it was about helping people, and protecting those that can't protect themselves. I think you'll do well here."

"Thank you sir."

"One last question, and this is just personal curiosity. Totally off the record."

"Of course sir,"

"There was a protest in Sandia, during one of Princess Celestia's visits. One of the protesters were holding a banner with a particularly unflattering slogan against her Majesty. It's recorded that you broke the perimeter, got into an argument with the stallion and then began to beat him with the sign. He wasn't seriously injured and there were no charges, but it's the only demerit on your record. This didn't disqualify you, but it does seem a bit out of character."

"Sir, I thought that was cleared,"

"I know Windjammer I'm just interested to hear your explanation face to face instead of reading it in a report."

"Well Sir, the sign was seditious,"

"That's not illegal Windjammer, the princess Decriminalized sedition decades ago. Ponies are free to express themselves even if it's offensive."

"I'm aware sir, but It angered me personally. I love my Princess. . . " I realized what I said, and collected myself. "It was a lapse of judgement with no excuse, It will not happen again."

Ruckus smiled, as if he'd gotten all the information he needed from me. "Sergeant, we all love our princess but at the risk of sounding disrespectful, she's a big girl and can take a little disrespect from the populous. You will see ponies who don't like Celestia, some who don't like Luna. We can't let that kind of thing bug us, as long as they don't try to hurt the princess we have to remain professional. Now this happened years ago, but don't think I didn't notice you getting distracted during your match with Obsidian."

"How. . ."

"I've served the princess for 20 years, I know she'd be in that window."

"She's so beautiful," I said, "Even just her outline in that window."

"Her Majesty is possibly one of the most beautiful creatures in this world, just don't think of her as anything but somepony you need to serve and protect."

"Of course sir." I replied, with what I hoped sounded like conviction.

Ruckus slid a sheet of paper across his desk with a small key, "Okay, you're in dorm 34, and here's your duty schedule."

I looked at the key Puzzled, "Why does my Dorm have a locking door?" I asked. "Isn't it the dorm Cheif that has the keys for everyone?"

Ruckus laughed, "Windjammer, this isn't the infantry, we all get our own rooms. No head upstairs, drop your gear, you're still on duty."

"Yes sir," I said with a salute.

It took me a few tries to find my room, as a couple of the numbers were obscured by name plates some of the guards had hung on their doors. To my surprise I noticed Obsidian's name on one of the doors, just down the hall from mine. I finally found my new room, It was sizable and fairly roomy. It probably felt more roomy than it was, due to no furnishings inside but a rough wooden crate under a simple bed and a rough table. In every other station I'd been in in my military career, a room like this would be quarters for four men at the least. In the mountains of the bridle range I was lucky to have a soft spot on the ground, devoid of rocks. Here I was now, with a room with two tall windows overlooking the Palace courtyard and to my astonishment my own small bathroom with showers. I've honestly paid for hotel rooms that were not as nice as that room.

I pulled out a picture of my father from the saddlebag, a weathered, yellowing pic of him with me mother and me, just a foal at the time. We had just stepped off the train in Kaleel, ready to start a new life together in Saddle Arabia. My father had just gotten a new job with the Tajir, running pipe in an oil field. It was going to be a new life for us all, and even though it all went terribly wrong with 12 hours of working for cruel overseers. Hovels of wood and cardboard that were to cold and night and too hot during the day, little food, little water, but my father and mother always made me feel loved and wanted. Life wasn't easy down there, It still wasn't. With any luck I would help be able to pay off their debts, and set them free as I was now. I set the picture in the window sill, thinking I'd have to get a frame for it not that there was a place to display it.

Through the window I could see the palace, it's towers and ramparts lifting into the sky, agains the setting sun. Tomorrow, as was tradition, I was going to be presented to her. I was going to stand in her presence, and swear my fealty. Every guard did it, but I knew it would be different for me. The princes was more than a princess to me, and I would not just be swearing an oath, I would be declaring my love. So many years I spent in the desert, so much time being treated as an animal in the oilfields, on the battlefield, now I would be more than that. I would be a stallion, in the service of a Goddess.

"Hi, Neighbor." A small, quiet voice said from the door.

I turned, seeing Obsidian shyly peeking in my door, her face as dark a the shadows around it but her Icy blue eyes standing out.

"Hey, How's your jaw?" I asked.

Obsidian grinned shyly. "Still aches," She said rubbing it. "How is your. . .everything?"

I couldn't help but laugh at that, "Nothing's broken,"

"Good," Obsidian said, smiling.

I felt as if the mare had run out of things to say, as she just stood and smiled shyly. I decided to help her out and break the silence.

"So, any tips for meeting the princess tomorrow?" I asked,

Obsidian tapped her hoof to her chin, really contemplating the question, then her eyes widened as she came up with something.

"Don't kiss her hoof," She stated. "Really, don't. She doesn't like that,"

"Do ponies really do that? With the princess?!"

Obsidian laughed and nodded, her laugh was light and quiet, I found I liked it.

"Wow, Talk about forward,"

We shared a laugh, and she touched a hoof to my shoulder and without another word trotted back down the hall to the stairs.

----*----

"Chest out! Eyes forward! Chin up! Back strait!" Sonambula shouted, the unicorn slamming the butt of his spear into the ground with each work.

The Trim brown unicorn marched up and down the line, inspecting a row of Pegasus and Earth pony guards stood in a perfect line behind me.

"Morning Blast!" Sonambula shouted, "Your tail is twitching,"

"Sorry sir," the blue Pegasus replied.

"You Stand stoic, Silent, motionless a possible!" Sonambula said, "Fillies and Colts, this is a royal presentation! Are we going to be sloppy on Windjammer's big day?"

"NO SERGEANT!" The guards chorused in unison.

"You are going to be Stoic, Silent, March in perfect Lock step, is that correct?"

"YES SERGEANT!"

Sonambula smiled and nodded. "Okay, Windjammer. Now, we've marched in. What now?"

I thought, "I. . .bow and present my sword?" I ventured.

Sonambula shook his head, "So, you skip greeting her majesty?"

"Oh, so I bow, address her majesty then present my sword."

Sonambula nodded, "Correct. Now let's see it!"

I bowed as gracefully as I knew how, holding my sword high and saying, "Your Majesty,"

Sonambula made a face like he smelled something rotten, "Guard, how was that?"

"WEAK! WEAK! WEAK!" They chanted.

Sonambula sighed, "First, bow faster. You're not a figure skater. Second, don't hold your sword like it's dead fish, and the Princess is NOT
hard of hearing, address her a bit quieter. Try it Again!"

I complied, taking that into consideration, this time Sonambula giving me a smirk.

"Guards! How was that!"

"SOLID!" The guards shouted, all giving a fist pump in perfect unison.

"Better Windjammer. Have to memorized the Oath?"

Little did he know I had this oath memorized when I was a Colt. "My Princess, Monarch of the sun, ruler of Equestria, I offer you my sword and my life to you, to serve you and protect you, to stand by you, to speak of you with reverence, and to stand against all your enemies until I meet a glorious end in your service."

"Obsidian!!" Sonambula shouted as I finished, "Eyes forward young filly!"

I turned to See Obsidian turn her head forward forward, a shallow smile on her lips. Sonambula approached her,

"Line Breaker Obsidian is there something here that amuses you?"

Obsidian shook her head.

"Eyes forward, face neutral, is that clear Line Breaker?"

Obsidian Nodded.

"Good! If You and Blast mess up this presentation you are going to be on dish washing duty until your hooves get pruned. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sergeant!" Blast said,

We practiced the short ceremony twice more. I marched at the forefront of the armored ponies, bowed and said the oath. Sonambula only correcting a few more minor infractions, Four-speed was twitching his nose, Starshine almost dropped her spear, but by the end we seemed to Satisfy Sonambula.

"Good work guard, we'll go though this one more time tomorrow morning." Sonambula shouted,"No stow your gear and get some chow."

I wasn't wearing full armor, but my dress uniform, the showy red and blue outfit worn only on formal occasions. I removed the shirt and slipped it onto the hangar, trotting toward my locker in the day room, the other ponies were removing their armor and stowing it I their lockers.

"Put the hangar under the seam or it'll wrinkle," I heard a meek voice say in my ear. I realized it was Obsidian, stooping to speak softly into my ear.

"Thanks," I said, adjusting the shirt on the Hangar.

Again Obsidian left before I could ask a follow up, heading to her room for reasons unknown to me. I slipped by the day room before I headed to lunch, walking to the window, seeing Albedo still working at his typewriter in his crowded office, pausing to take a bite a leafy salad.

"Al?" I asked.

"Yes Sergeant?" He said around a mouthful of fresh spinach.

"I heard I can have some of my pay sent to a family,"

"Sure," Albedo said, floating a new sheet into the typewriter "Form A-13, Third party pay transfer. Who are you sending it to?"

"He's my father, named Mainsail,"

"Location?" Albedo said as he typed,

"Kaleel in Saddle Arabia, send it to the Post office in Mariposa."

Al Stopped typing, "Isn't that a Ghetto?"

"It's were I grew up," I said without emotion.

"It's a dangerous area, are you sure he'll get it?"

"My Parents know how to deal with pickpockets and gangs." I said,

Albedo nodded, typing in the address. "How much do you want to send them? I can make it a percentage or a flat amount."

"Send all of it." I said.

"What?" Albedo said, eyes wide.

"I get three meals a day and a place to sleep, I got a little savings for anything else I might need."

"Are you sure you don't want to keep a few bits?"

"My parents need this money a lot more than me."

Albedo Shrugged, "They're your bits."

He held the form in the window, and not knowing how to sign my name I stamped my hoof on it, which Albedo was satisfied with. He nodded to me unceremoniously and returned to his work and I mad my way to the mess hall.

The Mess hall was shared with all the barracks, it was in the North wing of the palace proper, and connected to the castle's kitchen and food stores. It wasn't opulent but was modestly decorated with banners and flags, the tables weren't the long banquet tables with bench seats I expended, but small round tables with room enough for four. Also, instead of a long lines with soldiers waiting for bowls of gruel I was surprised to find servant ponies carrying trays of food as if we were in a restaurant instead of a mess hall. There was even a few musicians, two ponies playing guitars, filling the hall with gentle unobtrusive music. It was almost absurd how well treated the Royal guard was, it was no surprise there were literally thousands of ponies vying for 160 spots, only a tiny fraction ever making it in.

I trotted through the room, trying to find a place to sit, being that It was late there seemed to be no tables available, until I saw Obsidian siting alone a table near the back of the room, in a dark corner where the torches on the wall cast little light. in the shadows the white of her eyes and he icy blue stood out against the rest of her fur she poked at a plate of pasta, oblivious to my presence. Aside from Blast and Four speed I hadn't spoken to anypony but her. Made sense to sit with Obsidian, so I did.

Before my rump hit the chair a turquoise mare in a servant's robe approached, silently setting down a plate of pasta identical to Obsidian's, and a wooden mug of something, that I soon found to be blackberry juice. I wondered if the servant had been following me through the room waiting for me to sit, she would have made a good scout because I had no idea she was there.

Obsidian looked at me, as if surprised Anypony would be willing to sit with her.

"Wouldn't you like to sit with your friends?" She asked quietly, wiping sauce from her mouth with a cloth napkin.

"I'd Like to think I am," I said with a smile.

"No pony every sits with me," Obsidian said,

"I'm sorry, if I don't mean to impose. . ."

"No, not at all." Obsidian said nervously, "It's okay,"

"How's the pasta?" I asked.

Obsidian shrugged, "Dinner on Thursday is always Pasta. . .I like Mondays, potato salad with butter bread."

I tried the Pasta, it wasn't terrible but fairly bland.

"So you were in the Legion," She asked.

"Yep."

"I heard you had to win a hundred battled before they let you leave."

I grinned, "No, that's just a rumor. In truth you just have to win enough battles to Impress the Tajir. I've only been in a few myself. Were you in the Militia?"

"No, ROTC." Obsidian said. "I went to college on a buck ball scholarship, that didn't work out but I did well enough in drill school to get into the guard. I mean. . .it also helped I'm big for a mare."

"Well you are a natural, I've never fought anyone as skilled as you."

Obsidian blushed, meekly turning her face aside, smiling meekly. I felt myself smile, and I wasn't sure why. The Musicians had changed their song, and my ears twitched as I recognized the song.

"Las Pegasus Serenade," I said to myself,

Obsidian's eyes widened, "You know Raindog?"

I grinned, "Yeah,"

Obsidian gigged, "I taught the servants this song. I love Raindog, he's one of the best jazz ponies of all time,"

"Well, some credit should go to Clydesdale Davis." I stated, "But yes. I used to have a little travel record player that I took with me everywhere, whenever we stopped I'd play whatever I could get my hooves on. I had two, very old, very scratched up Raindog albums, but I eventually had to trade them for food. In the Legion you have to fee yourself most of the time."

"I have everything he ever recorded," Obsidian said in a harsh whisper, as if she were telling me a great secret. "I even found the bootleg
album he recorded, Warm Cider and Cold Mares,"

"I only heard Rumors about that," I said, "They didn't press a lot of those,"

Obsidian said up proudly, "It was not easy to find."

"Man, All I had was 'Trotting with the Blues' and 'Bit and Bridle," I said "I'd LOVE to hear the rest."
"You should come by my room!" Obsidian offered a bit more loudly than she intended, juggling by how she shrank back, as if she'd just said something terrible. "I mean, if you want to listen to a few songs, but I'm sure your probably planning to hit the NCO club with the guys,"

"No, that would be great," I said, "I don't like to drink, and I'd rather see you."

I had no idea why I said that, It was as if my mouth shot the words out without even consideration. I realized Obsidian was just as surprised as I was, the offer was made and accepted and now it seemed neither of us had much of a choice. I figured spending time with a new friend, would be better than staring at the blank walls in my bare quarters.

----*----

The last thing the Helios guard does in a day is pass the guard duties of the castle to the Nocturne guard, Princess Luna's force of Bat-ponies and battle mages. All on-duty personnel were expected to at least observe, but I knew on some evenings I would be expected to participate in this hallowed ceremony. It was simple, there was a trumpet blast and Shining Armor handed over a banner to Captain Willow, captain of the Nocturne guard. A few members of the public watched the ceremony, mostly tourists who snapped pictures and cheered. When the sun was below the horizon now and all members of the Helios guard were done for the night. As I headed back to the barracks Morning Bast and Four-speed trotted up behind me.

"Hey my man, we're headed to the NCO Club, get a few drinks," Four speed said.

"We can play a few rounds of pool," Blast offered.

"Thanks, but I was going to Hang out with Obsidian and listen to some records."

"Obsidian?" Blast asked.

"Yeah, turns out she has some Raindog records I always wanted to hear,"

The two Pegasi glanced at each other with curios looks,

"Where did you hear that?" Four Speed asked.

I wrinkled a brow, "She told me, how else would I hear it?"

The two seemed dumbfounded, Blast was the first to manage to speak.

"Dude, Obsidian never talks. . ."

"To anypony," Four Speed added.

"She talked to me," I stated plainly.

The two were still confused, but shrugged it off.

"Well, you'll have to let us buy you a drink sometime," Blast said, giving me a hoof bump.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't Do," Four speed said with a grin,

"You'd do just about anything," Blast shot back, prompting the pair to laugh as they left.

I ran by the quartermaster exchange, using a few bits from my savings to buy a jug of Ginger ale and a box of bonbons, having promised myself that once I was free of the legion I'd celebrate with some sweets. The idea of sharing them with Obsidian that night made far more sense than enjoying them alone. I made my way back to the barracks, stowed my weapons and armor and showered briefly, washing the powder out of coat, returning it to its normal shade of deep rusty red. I crossed the hall to Obsidian's room where she answered the door, welcoming me with a nod.

Obsidian's room was identical to mine, but with no windows since it was on the other side of the hall and faced into the palace's outer wall. Unlike my room, which was bare, Obsidian had hung banners and lanterns on the wall, a few framed pictures of what I assumed to be her family, and large wooden shelf filled with books and old records that gave the room the pleasant, musty smell of a an old library. Obsidian herself, who had been wearing partial armor and a tunic since I first met her, now was just wearing a ribbon in her shadowy black tail. She didn't carry herself like a solder while at home, and despite still be taller than me, looked just like the girl next door with her long styled mane and shapely form. I felt odd that I neglected to take off my own tunic when off duty, so I hung it on a hook near the door as I entered.

"You're red," Obsidian observed, realizing I'd washed the white from my coat.

"Yeah, that powder is kind of itchy."

"I hear you get used to it." She said.

I set down the ginger ale of chocolates on an coffee table near her old sofa.

"You. . .didn't have to bring anything," Obsidian said as she selected a record off the shelf.

"These? " I said, holding up the chocolates and ginger ale. "I just didn't get any sweets in the legion so I'm just spoiling myself a bit. I'd love to share them with you."

Obsidian grabbed a mismatched pair of wooden cups, and I poured the ginger ale. She winded her record player, and soon the soft sound of jazz music filled the small room. Obsidian sat on her well-worn leather sofa, and finding no other place to sit I joined her. For a time we just quietly listened, the sound of music so familiar but brand new almost bringing tears to my eyes. We drank the ginger ale, munched on the sweet candies, saying nothing for a time.

"I talked with a few of the others," I said finally, in between songs. "They said you never talk to anypony,"

Obsidian shrugged, "Nothing to say most of the time." She said. "I like the quiet, my voice is just more noise."

"I like your voice," I said, matter of factly.

The big mare blushed, shifting to lean her big head against my chest. I felt my heart start to beat harder, a warmth build up inside me. She was big compared to me, compared to anyone really, but with Obsidian resting against me I felt comfortable, not crushed as I did when she sat on me that morning. Her mane was soft and layed across her shoulders like shimmering black silk. I was surprised a battle-hardened warrior like her was wearing some kind of perfume that was one of the sweetest things I ever smelled. I could see the value in silence now, and I held her as we joyfully said nothing for another song or two. I don't know exactly why, but it felt right. Strangely, it was Obsidian who finally spoke.

"Fact is, I never was good at making friends." Obsidian said quietly. "I've always been bigger than other ponies."

"Same with me." I admitted.

She turned to give me smirk.

"I don't mean, big." I explained "I mean, I'm half saddle-Arabian. I never really belonged anywhere, not there not here. We're both. . .different. I made a few friends but . . ."

"They never really understand you." Obsidian said.

"They just go though the motions, always move on in the end. They. . ."

"Just can't ignore that you're different." Obsidian said finishing my thought.

"Exactly." I agreed.

"I guess this kind of music just appeals to ponies like us."

"When I was in the Legion, this music kept me sane." I admitted. "I would be camped out in a fetid swamp surrounded by bugs, or in a burned out city with the fires still burning. . .starving, in pain, too tired to sleep. This music told stories about ponies going out on Saturday nights to bars, drinking bad beer and smoking cheap cigarettes, falling in love and having their hearts broken. It was like hearing about another world, where I could really live, not just . . .exist. I knew that if I could just get through one more day, eventually I'd get there."

I felt Obsidian shift her weight, turning her head to look up at me, and she blessed me with a gentle smile, her almond eyes bright against her deep black face.

"Well you're here now." She whispered, just loud enough to be heard over the music. "You made it Windjammer. Welcome to your happy ending."

I felt tears forming in my eyes, and I stroked Obsidian's mane as she gave out a contented sigh. It was strange, I had just met her that day but I felt as if I always knew her. Like we were two souls wandering the world only wanting for each other. Feeling her in my arms, being in this place, pledging my life to my princess . . .nothing in my life had ever felt so right. Lost in the moment, I ventured to sing along with a familiar song, as it came on the record player.

"I word nine to five, now it's Saturday night," I sang.

"Watch the carts go by, under he new moon's light," Obsidian continued.

"I caught the eye of a mare, too pretty to stand,"

We sung the next line together, in a perfect lack of harmony.

"If I had a bit for every broken heart, I'd be a rich man,"

We Laughed, neither of us could carry a tune to save our lives.

"We should probably leave that to Raindog," I said in a quiet voice.

"Yeah," Obsidian agreed.

Then, for no reason, and every reason at once . . I kissed her. She kissed me back. Her lips were soft, warm, and surprisingly gentle. It wasn't a long, passionate kiss, but there was more truth in that one tiny show of affection than any other before that, even the mares or stallions I had made love to in the past. Our time together wouldn't last, eventually the sun would rise and we'd be back on duty, but that was tomorrow. We still had half a jug of Ginger Ale, plenty of sweets and the record was still playing. For that night we just held one another, and all was well.

Author's Note

Morning Blast Created by Andrzej Wojcik