The Elder Scrolls: Equestria

“...true friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation...”

“How long until the shift change?” a tall ram with curved horns and wearing Legionnaire armor asked the ram next to him. He never did care for guard duty; the eastern road was so desolate that almost no one ever traveled on it. And if they did, they were trying to leave the city.

It made this post particularly boring.

“Another hour.” the other ram said, watching a flock of birds above them. His attention shifted from the sky and back to the road. “Look, somepony's coming.” he said pointing a cloven hoof down the dirt road.

“I think it's a trader.” the other Legionnaire added, taking in the sight of a white coated unicorn mare pulling a wagon. His gaze shifted from the young filly on her left to the griffon in black, spiked armor on her right.

“Identification is required to pass this point. Present your papers.” the two of them declared in unison. The unicorn brushed a lock of silver curls from her eyes and flushed with embarrassment.

“Oh, dear. I'm so embarrassed. You see my daughter, my servant and I were attacked several miles down the road by Nightstalkers and a good deal of our supplies were lost,” she moved closer to him and batted her eyelashes. “including my identification and trading permit.”

“I...I see.” he said, his expression turning suspicious. “If you were attacked how come you look so...perfect.” he finished rather awkwardly. She giggled and stroked his right cheek.

“How kind of you to say, darling. I do try to keep myself presentable. As to your question the reason I am unharmed and gorgeous is solely thanks to my strapping young servant.” she pointed to the griffon who bowed slightly. “Gunther is ever so proficient at protecting my daughter and I.” the ram blushed and gulped.

“I...am glad to see you have such capable protection, but we can't allow you to enter the city without...” she moved even closer and batted her eyelashes again.

“You are such a strapping young ram. So strong, so brave,” he shuddered as she pressed in closer. “risking your life everyday to dethrone that pretender in Canterlot. So many ponies owe you so much. I could repay you in so many ways. But I have some very important business to take care of in the city. I would be very happy to service you and your friend if you were to let us through.” the other ram looked her over then turned his gaze to Grover.

“I think we can make an exception. If your servant would care to participate...” the griffon turned to her and she was sure if his face wasn't entirely covered, he would have been scowling.

“Gunther will do whatever I tell him to. And if I might add he is quite educated in the art of pleasure.” she winked and licked her lips at the griffon and the filly nearby turned bright red. The shorter ram smiled and licked his own lips while the taller of the two nodded.

“Alright Miss. You can pass.” she kissed him and used her tongue for good measure.

“Where can the four of us meet later?” she asked seductively after removing her tongue from his mouth. The ram stammered for over a minute before the shorter of the two answered.

“There's a tavern in the city called the Drunken Cockatrice. We'll be there an hour after dark,” he smiled unpleasantly. “and if you don't show up I'll have you know we will arrest you and have some fun with you both anyway.”

“Don't worry darling! I'm in town for business and pleasure. Now if you would be so kind as to tell me where I could get replacement identification?”

                       …...........…..........

“If you think for one second that I'm going to participate then you're delusional.” Grover said, his voice muffled by his masked helmet.

“You also said I was delusional when I said I was going to get you into that suit.” I said pointedly. Getting him into that suit of pony armor was a pain the the flank, but I did it. “Besides, he isn't participating in anything. It'll just be you and me you sexy drake you.” he slapped his helmet with an armored foreleg and shook his head. Rose giggled and trotted faster to catch up to me.

“They didn't seem too bad. Everypony always told me that the Legion was full of bad ponies er, rams. They seemed alright.” Oh the innocence of youth.

“Remember Rose, the Legion is not our friend. We're going to get out of this hell hole as soon as possible...and keep that knife hidden.” I added, she had my dagger hidden in the folds of her dress.

“Did you really need the wagon though?” Grover asked, lifting the mask on his helmet. “It seems like we could have just carried our supplies through the check point like we were before.” he frowned. Ugh, this again?

“He didn't need the wagon!” I almost shouted. “I mean, it's not like we took his stuff too. Just the wagon.”

“And the dresses.” he said pointing at the silk skirt I was wearing in Lou of my Guild armor.

“And the dresses.” I relented. “But we needed them! And the wagon. The more we look the part the better.” I don't know why Grover was so slow to understand this. This was infiltration, not going in flashing our weapons.

“Tell me this; what happens when those idiots go to that tavern and we don't show up?” he asked pointing a talon over his shoulder.

“Put your mask down!” I hissed as two more Legionnaires trotted past us towards the checkpoint. Fuckers are all over the place. The checkpoint was built on the eastern road connecting Trot, Whitetail and Arcadia. Just forty miles to the east was the front lines, where more than a dozen Legions were carving their way towards Arcadia. When I was sure the cost was clear I said,

“They won't do anything, because we're going to be there.” Grover immediately began to protest but I spoke over him. “We're not going to fuck them. We'll follow them up the rooms and knock them out. Then we'll take their stuff and head to the treasury.” my mouth began to water at the thought. Sweet, sweet gold! I had the whole thing figured out too; once we got the missives, the red chest and all the gold I could carry I'll leave the missives and the chest with Grover and take Rose to Trottingham. I was really going to miss him, but it didn't feel right asking him to come with us. He had a mission and I didn't think there was anything I could do to stop him.

“And what exactly do you intend to do if they wake up before we're out of the city?” he asked. “Then are you going to pleasure them?” Rose and I snorted and I shook my head.

“Grover, it's simple. We'll knock them out, I'll slap some makeup on them, pour a bunch of whiskey everywhere, leave the bottles on the floor and pull the blankets off the bed. They'll wake up, think they had a great night but couldn't remember because of the booze.” I'm not proud to admit that this wasn't the first time I had done something like this. I'm not ashamed, but I'm not proud either.

“That's devious.” he said with a small laugh. There it was again! He sounded impressed.

Whitetail was only a mile or two from the checkpoint, so it wasn't long before we could see the city and all it's brilliance. Or, remains of brilliance.

“Wow...” Rose said, awestruck. Whitetail was made entirely of light grey (almost white) stone. Several farms surrounded the city's tall stone walls, and between them were massive fields of corn stalks, colorful flowers and wheat. The crops were smashed down in many places from the Legionnaires that were traveling back and forth from the front. Where the crops were standing dozens of ponies toiled, surrounded by Legionnaires spread out between them.

As we got closer to the city I began to see spots in the walls and some of the taller buildings (like the palace) where they had been damaged. In most places the damage was severe, in others they were either undergoing repairs or the damage was so minor that they hadn't bothered.

“We're on the eastern side. Why is there damage on this side of the city?” I wondered aloud.

“The Legion surrounded the city from all sides and forced us inside the walls.” Grover explained, his voice turning somber. “We held out for three months, the last week without food and very little water. The lives of many brave ponies were lost. Mostly from the Legions trebuchet.” Wait, he was there? It shouldn't have surprised me in hindsight, I read his journals and I knew how long he fought the Legion before being sent to Canterlot. I stopped, unhooked myself from the wagon and walked towards him.

“What are you...?” he stopped as I hugged him. He probably didn't feel it through the armor but I didn't care. Rose hopped onto his back and hugged the back of his head too. Good job, Rose.

“Sorry Grover. I can't even imagine what that was like.” It might not have been able to entirely make up for what I planned to do to him, but this was a start.

I thought it was anyway.

“Okay, thank you.” he said awkwardly. “That's enough" we continued to hug him. "Please let go of me.” I released him and strapped myself back into my wagon but Rose held onto him for a few moments longer before returning to my side.

From there we went through the city's gate without incident. The Legionnaires payed little attention to us, with the exception of looking at my flanks as I trotted by. They wish

I couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief as we passed by the rams without any problems. Before heading into the city Grover expressed his concern about being recognized by members of the Legion.

“I'm the only griffon fighting for Celestia and I'm not trying to boast or anything but I have quite the reputation with the soldiers of Grogar's Legions” he had told me, and I had no doubt he was being truthful. If his journals were anything to go by... But thankfully no one seemed to recognize him. A suit of pony armor that was two sizes two small seemed to help a lot.

The city inside the walls wasn't much different from the outer walls. Most buildings were damaged or in the process of being repaired. A few were destroyed entirely, crushed by boulders almost the size of the buildings themselves. But the thing that disturbed me was the citizens of Whitetail. There were few ponies in the streets; one buck at a stand with spoiled fruit and several ponies with sunken eyes lying against the buildings and in the gutters holding out tin cans. All of them looked malnourished.

“Damn.” I said as we passed by the beggars one by one. Looking around, I could see the Legionnaires walking by the gate, and those on the walls far above the streets. Many held spears in their fetlocks, and swords on their belts. Some ever sat in the seats of massive crossbows that pointed inward at the city.

“Do you know where the general store is?” I asked the buck at the fruit stand. We needed to get rid of our extra stuff and the wagon. I was sick of pulling it.

“Depends, how much is that info worth to ya?” he asked tiredly. Grover stepped forward but I blocked him with my foreleg and floated a fifty coins from my bags and stacked them in five neat towers on the counter. “Three blocks down the main road towards the palace. Place called Bits and Pieces. Right next to the Drunken Cockatrice.” He swept the coins and fruit into a large sack and left his stand without another word.

“I could have saved you a few coins you know.” Grover told me.

“No. That would have caused a scene.” Why do I have to keep explaining this? “We're trying to be subtle.” I whispered, not wanting the bums to overhear...wait. Idea! “Grover, take the wagon to the shop, wait for me, and keep an eye on Rose.”

“Why?” He asked as I unstrapped myself.

“Because my feathered friend,” I smiled slyly. “I've got some ponies to talk to.”

Half an hour later I followed the main street to where the fruit said Bits and Pieces was. And just as I thought Grover and Rose were waiting by the door with our wagon.

“What were you doing?” he asked.

“Just making some new friends, don't worry about it, I'll fill you in later. Now load up bags with everything we're not selling.” I instructed as I removed my saddlebags and carefully stored my Guild armor inside them with my other possessions. I also pocketed Grover's armor, I could probably buy a house in Canterlot with the gold I'd make from selling the set but I didn't think Grover would be very forgiving. I'd end up like Gilgamesh.

Before going inside the store I cast a spell to detect any security spell, Or any spells that allowed somepony to eavesdrop. And only entered once I was satisfied that it was clear. Rose and I went through the door and started for the counter where a petite cyan earth pony mare with dark blue hair was writing in an old weathered book with a quill. Grover however had turned still as a statue.

“What are you doing? Come on.” I said. If he stood there like an idiot somepony, or more importantly some ram would get suspicious.

“I-I-I think I should wait out here.” he stammered, then tried to back out of the store but I wasn't having it. I surrounded him in a field of levitation and floated him in after me. The mare watched us with a bewildered expression while I half floated half dragged Grover inside.

“Is he alright?” she asked, watching him struggle against my magic.

“Yeah, he's just nervous around ponies he doesn't... Grover stop!!” Grover unfurled his wings and flapped them hard, sending a gust of wind that knocked Rose and I to the floor. My magic exploded around him and the strength of his beating wings sent him flying like a spear into the opposite wall and knocking his helmet clean off.

“Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!” I said quickly, first helping Rose off the floor and turning to the mare. “He just gets really nervous around...” she wasn't even looking at me, her gaze was focused entirely on Grover. The mare left her counter and went to Grover's side, her eyes wide.

“It's you.” she said, her voice wavering and tears building in her eyes. “It's really you....You're Grover! You saved my children!” just as I had not an hour earlier she wrapped Grover in a hug. Except hers was a little more forceful. She squeezed Grover until his face turned red under his feathers.

“Yes...it's me. Please let go, I can't breath.” he said, starting to gasp for air. She quickly let go and helped him to his feet.

“I'm so sorry! I was just excited as all.” she explained sheepishly, her hair falling over her right eye. “If you're here that means the Royal Guard is here right? We're free right?” she looked and sounded so desperate that it made my heart drop in my chest.

“I'm sorry but the Guard isn't here,” Grover told her, his voice stoically neutral. “It is only myself and her.” he finished with nod to me.

“And me too!” Rose said indignantly. At first the mare looked confused but then her face brightened immeasurably.

“If it's just you two, you must be here to kill Grogar.” she said quietly, her voice filled hope. “You're here to kill that bastard aren't you? This is great! Oh yes, yes, yes! Finally, we'll be rid of him!” she ran lunged at me and wrapped me in a rib cracking embrace.

I looked to Grover for help but he had frozen again. His  eyes had gone wide and his pupils were the size of pin pricks. He went to the mare, pulled her off me and looked her straight in the eye.

“Do you know where he is?” he asked, his voice deadly serious. He couldn't actually be thinking...

“He lives at the palace. That, monster, has been staying there since he had Pureblood executed. You're going to kill him right? That's why you're here, to set us free?” I couldn't think of any way of telling her the truth without crushing her. She sounded so hopeful, so sure that we were going to help. But Grover spoke for me.

“I will do everything in my power to remove that bastard's head and put it on a pike. I swear it.” tears spilled from her eyes and she broke down sobbing. He is thinking it.... Fuck!!!

“First you save my children, now you'll save us all. Thank you so much.” she turned away from us and yelled out, “Bluebell, Riverwind. Come down here please.” a minute of two later a green coated Pegasus colt flew down a set of stairs in the back of the room. Followed closely by a sky blue filly.

“What is it mamma?” they asked in unison. Their gaze shifted from me, to Rose and finally landed on Grover. Their eyes widened and wide grins spread across their muzzles.

“We have a visitor.” she said as her children rushed to Grover asking questions a mile a minute, the colt buzzing around his head like a hummingbird and the filly bouncing around his legs.

“Where have you been?”

“Are you here to help us?”

“If you're here does that mean the Royal Guard is too?”

“Who is she?” they pointed at me.

“And who is she?" They pointed at Rose.

“Is she your marefriend?” the filly asked Grover with a giggle. The colt blew a raspberry at his sister and flew over to Rose.

“My name is Riverwind. What's yours?” he asked, holding out a hoof.

“I-I'm Rose.” she said, blushing slightly as she took his hoof.

“I like your name. It's pretty.” he told her, kissing her hoof. Rose's face turned scarlet. Isn't he a smooth operator.

“Bluebell, Riverwind, please. Sorry,” she added to Grover. “They're just so excited. Oh, and look at me! Here you are in my home and I haven't gotten you anything to eat. How rude of me. Please come up stairs, and you can leave your things behind the counter.” she said trotting to the door, turning the sign to 'closed' and then locked it.

“Please follow me.” she said kindly, waving for us to follow. Grover looked at me nervously but I just shrugged. I'm not saying 'no' to a hot meal. I  pulled my wagon behind the counter and followed...shit, I hadn't asked for her name.

“What's your name again?” I asked, the three of us following her up the stairs.

“My name is Quill&Ink. But you can just call me Quill.” she looked over her shoulder and smiled. “What's your name?”

“Silver Scroll.”

Quill&Ink showed us to a small living room above her store told us to make ourselves comfortable while she fixed us a meal.

“Can I play with Riverwind and Bluebell?” Rose asked me. Holy shit. I remembered when I was just a filly asking Miss Strudel if I could play with the other kids.

“You are welcome to go play, as long as you are aware that in doing so you are wasting your parents money and my time. I am here to teach you magic, not watch you run around like an animal!” I will never treat her like that!

“Of course. Just promise to have fun, okay?” she smiled brightly and hugged me before following Quill's kids to their room down the hall.

I looked around the room to pass the time while Grover sat on the couch rubbing his beak in his talons. There were several shelves covered with scrolls and a few books but other than that the room was bare, except for a single picture of a buck in golden armor on the wall.

“She said you saved her kids, is that true?” I asked. Grover nodded sharply in response.

“Mind giving me some details?” again, he nodded. “Yes you mind or yes you'll tell me?”

“Yes, I mind.”he said coolly.

“Damn it Grover, spit it out! Please?” he shook his head “Please? Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!”

“No.” he said, crossing his forelegs.

“As you wish,” I said, getting off the couch. “I'll just ask her.” Grover's eyes widened before scowling darkly.

“Don't. I'll tell you.” I sat back down and leaned back on the couch, crossing my hind legs. He sighed and pointed at the one picture on the wall.

“That was Whitewind, he and I fought together during the siege on the city. The Legion had just destroyed one of our battalions that tried to break their lines surrounding us. When we first retreated into the walls there was about...seventeen or eighteen hundred of us. Not counting the civilians that didn't escape before the evacuation and Whitetail's guards. In total, maybe another four hundred ponies.

“General Secretariat and his forces were battling a half dozen legions that advanced towards Hoover Valley. That left Captain Smelter in charge of recovering Whitetail.” he pointed at the buck on the wall again and said in a low, somber tone, “ we fought together everyday of the siege. He and I served under Captain Cutter, who was commanding the troops inside Whitetail. Smelter lead the troops outside the city...it was a long, bloody conflict. The second most terrible battle I've ever taken part in.

“On the last day of the siege Cutter and Smelter figured out a plan to get the civilians out. Smelter's troops would attack from the east, north and south spreading out the Legion's defenses. While Cutter would lead the troops inside the city against their western side. The plan was to crush them from both sides and break the line. At that point we didn't care about the city, we just wanted to get the civilians out” judging by the fact that Quill&Ink and her kids were here that didn't work out too well, but I didn't say anything. From his expression it seemed to be really painful for him to talk about.

“Three hours before our attack the Legion pressed in from all sides. They struck without warning and they showed no mercy. By the last day of the siege there were less than eight hundred of us, including the civilians...” then I heard a sound I never thought I would hear from the stoic warrior I'd come to know. It was a sob.

“We...I...I-I tried to save him. But there were so many. They were everywhere. I killed...I killed... I don't even know how many of them. There was so much blood.” he breathed deeply a few times to steady himself before continuing. The very sight of Grover on the verge of tears made something snap in my brain.

“Whitewind took a crossbow bolt in the heart... he died so quickly. The last thing he said was, 'My family'. I abandoned my squad and brought his body back here.” he waved around the room. “Quill was beside herself, hysterical. But she held it together enough to tell me that Riverwind and Bluebell were with their aunt on the other side of town.

“I don't remember much after that. Just a lot of blood, and screams. The ponies from my squad told me later that I fought my way through hundreds of rams to get to the children. I don't know if it was that many but I was coated in blood from head to toe when I reached the store. I tried to get Quill to leave but she wouldn't go. She had to bury her husband. I told a few other Guards to get her and the children while I returned to the fight. Less than an hour later I was on Peace Corps medical wagon heading to Arcadia. I hadn't heard from Quill since.”

“What happened?” I asked. From the way he was telling it seemed that the Legion needed the medical wagons. Note to self; Do. Not. Piss. Off. Grover.

“The Guards I charged with getting Quill and her kids out were killed. The Healers told me I got on the wrong end of a Minotaur's war-hammer. ” A Minotaur? He got hit by a fucking Minotaur!? But what surprised me more was the fact that Grover had tears streaming down his face. He had always been so strong. Such much stronger than I could ever be. I watched him cut down a dozen changelings by himself. I stood idly by while he brought down a full grown Manticore by himself. Grover, who was strong enough to kill a savage Bug Bear that I led to us, was crying. Damn it, Silver! What the fuck is wrong with you?

If I hadn't read his journals and found Rose, I would have assumed he was faking it. A way to lure me into a false sense of security. Surely, he who had ended so many lives so easily couldn't possibly feel bad about killing?

It was kind of like stealing in retrospect. When I first joined up with the Guild, I felt bad about it. But after a while, I felt less bad, and soon, I didn't feel anything at all. I've robbed royalty and framed priests for murder without a second thought. But when I saw Rose for the first time a different part of me seemed to awaken. It seemed that it was the same for Grover. Except he didn't grow immune to guilt or become totally sociopathic like I thought he was. He just held all the guilt inside; never telling anypony. Except his journals.

And now, me.

For the second time that day I hugged Grover. The only differences were that he wasn't wearing the armor anymore and he didn't recoil. He didn't return my embrace and he wasn't weeping. He just sat there, silent tears running down his cheeks.

At some point Quill entered the room with a tray of plain baked apples and cups of water. Definitely not the worst thing I've ever eaten. Once she returned Grover wiped  his face with a wing. It didn't stop his eyes from being puffy but Quill either didn't notice it or thought better of pointing it out.

“Sorry about the portions,” she said, hoofing a plate to each of us. “and the taste. The Legion isn't very generous with ration tickets.”

“Ration tickets?”

“When Grogar took over the city he tried to press most of the ponies into the Legion but there weren't enough of us left to fill the holes in his ranks and keep the city working. He put us all to work. Took our possessions and whatever food we had squirreled away.” she took a bite of apple and chewed it slowly. Savoring it.

“I only got to keep the shop and trade goods because Grogar wants to bring commerce back to the city. Even with the war there are still some traders willing to trade here. Mostly the Zebra caravans; one came through here earlier actually. Ninety percent goes right to the Legion, I keep five percent for buying goods and I get five percent back in ration tickets and water vouchers.” I looked at the baked apple floating in my magic's grasp and felt a powerful wave of guilt pass over me. They are starving here. Why am I eating her food? I came to the shop hoping to make some money, but I couldn't take a coin from her if it meant Quill and her children starved.

“I'm so sorry Quill. Why don't you just leave? Grover and I got in no problem, can't you just go?” she smiled sadly. The kind of smile your mother gave you when your pet died.

“That's only for traders and ponies wanting to defect.” she said with disgust. “My children and I are subjects of Emperor Grogar, and until he's dead and his corpse incinerated it will stay that way.” it was weird to see such a sweet mare speak so venomously, but I understood...or, I guess I didn't. I'd never been in her situation before. How can she stand it?

She floated an apple slice to her muzzle and ate it whole before speaking.

“So, what's your plan?” she asked. “I don't have much here but I'll help however I can...” she was interrupted by a deep, almost demonic voice that seemed to come right out of the walls.

“Good afternoon subjects. This is your humble ruler.” Quill turned pale under her coat and began to shake violently. Rose rushed into the room followed closely by Riverbed and Bluebell. The latter rushed to their mother's side while Rose jumped into my forelegs. She was shaking worse than Quill. And I'm not going to lie; I was too.

“I am pleased to tell you all that your faithful servants in the Legion have once again thwarted the Pretender's attack on our borders. Soon all of Equestria shall be free of the tyranny of the Princess of the sun.” I hugged Rose close to me and looked at Grover. His eyes burned with pure rage, his wings and muscled limbs twitched just like a cat's before it pounced. (Minus the wings) Between Grover and the voice, I didn't know what was scaring me more.

“In addition to this wondrous news I would like to inform you all that the trial of seventeen traitors to the Empire has concluded. In one hour the executions will take place. As always I expect all ponies who are able to attend will do so. Those who are able and don't attend, know the penalty.

“Good evening, my loyal subjects. I look forward to seeing you all at the palace.” Just as suddenly as it came the voice disappeared, but it left a palpable fear in it's place.

“W-what was that?” Rose asked, pushing her head out between my forelegs. She was still shaking.

“Don't worry, Rose.” I said reassuringly. “That was just somepony using a voice amplification spell in addition to a voice modifier.” Perhaps even a reverberation component as well.

“That was Grogar,” Quill explained, hugging her children close. “He does that every few days to remind us he's here, and that he's...powerful.” Grover slowly got off the couch and walked to a shelf in the corner.

“Are you still writing your poems?” he asked gesturing at the scrolls. I thought it was an odd question considering, but it seemed to calm her nerves a bit.

“Yes, but I only get so much parchment from the Legion for my records. I've had to write everything a lot smaller so I have enough left over. If they ever found out...” she trembled again but only for a moment. “What about you Silver dear, do you write?” she asked, turning to me.

“Uh, n-no.” I said, taken aback by the question. “Not in a long time anyway.” she smiled and pointed at my flank.

“I thought you had that look about you. I noticed your cutie mark,” she said, her cheeks turning red. “N-not that I was looking, or anything.” I stifled a laugh and looked at the scroll on my flanks.

“Don't worry about it, Quill. You can ask me anything. Just like my ass says, I'm an open scroll.” I said, giving her a wink. Rose giggled and crawled back out from under me. Seeing her, Riverwind and Bluebell did the same.

“We should go to the execution.” Grover said gravely, turning towards the shuddered windows in the kitchen.

“It would be a good opportunity to case the joint.” I agreed. Everypony (and griffon) looked at me curiously. “I mean it's a good idea. So I can inspect the castle's arcane security, check the positions of the guards and their patrol routes. Look at the layout of the place. You know, casing a joint?” Grover shook his head and the others shrugged, with the exception of Rose, who nodded in understanding. She's got my back...and my flanks apparently. Rose was looking right at my flank.

“You okay, Rose?” I asked, waving my foreleg in front of her.

“How did you get your cutie mark?” she asked. “I thought your mark was a lock or something, but it's a scroll. How did you get it?” Wow, going for the throat huh? All at once everypony was looking at me expectantly. Even Grover was watching me out of the corner of his eye.

“If you're uncomfortable...” Quill began, casting a stern look at her children.

“No, no. It's alright.” I told her, smiling at Riverwind and Bluebell. “It's just not very exciting.”

“I don't mind,” Rose said cheerfully. “I always love your stories.” Little shit.

“The thing is, I know you're playing me.” I told her. “But I don't mind. Everypony listen up, because I'm only telling it once.” Riverwind and Bluebell scooted closer to me and sat on either side of Rose. Grover turned from the window to show he was listening, and Quill nodded for me to start.

“When I was just a filly, like you three,” I pointed at them. Riverwind pouted and said,

“I'm not a filly!”

“Shh, don't interrupt son.” Quill scolded.

“No, you're not a filly. You're a strapping young stallion.” I told him and he smiled smugly, crossing his forelegs. “But I was a filly, and when I was a filly my parents wanted me to go to the best school in the country. Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. So when I was little they hired a tutor to teach me about magic.” And she was a bitch.

“I think it was two years after my tutor started teaching me when she gave me a surprise test.” Bluebell booed and Riverwind blew a raspberry. “That was what I thought.” I told them before their mother could scold them any further. “But it wasn't that bad. She wanted me to write a new spell.”

“You used to write spells?” Rose asked, her eyes going wide as she scooted closer to me.

“A few, but I haven't done it in a very long time. My tutor, Miss Strudel, wanted me to write a spell. Which isn't that difficult if you understand magical frame works and spell structure, and she made sure that I knew.” I admit that I thought about lying to them about how I got my cutie mark, but with Rose there I felt a little more comfortable telling them.

“I stayed up all night trying to write a spell. The tricky part about writing spells is that you're trying to make a spell that doesn't exist,” I rubbed my chin. “or that you don't know.” I amended. “I tried thinking about what I didn't know and how I could put a spell together to fix that. After a few hours and thirty rolls of parchment I was frustrated, and I couldn't think of anything. So I took a break for a while and tried writing something else.”

“What was it?” Bluebell asked, her mother simply rolling her eyes.

“Just a story.” I said evasively.

“It seems important to the story,” Grover said with a sly little smile. “What did you write?”

“You'll laugh at me.” I said. In response Rose, Riverwind and Bluebell moved so close to me that they were mere inches away.

“Please.” the three of them said together. Damn it.

“Fine. It was a lfff story.” I mumbled.

“Didn't quite hear you,” Grover said sarcastically. “Could you say again?” Lying mother fucker!

“It was a lfff story.” I said again. Come on Grover, don't be a dick.

“There must be something in my ear,” the griffon said sticking a talon in his ear. “Could you say that a little louder please?”

“Fine! It was a love story alright?” said, starting to get annoyed. Riverwind gagged while Rose and Bluebell awed in unison. Quill smiled politely and Grover had the good sense not to laugh, just stand by the doorway to the kitchen with a satisfied smile on his face.

“Anyway, by the time I finished the story my mind had cleared. It was like the sun was rising; I knew exactly what do to and went to work right away.” I sighed. “I finished the spell just when the sun was coming up, then brought it right to my teacher. It was the first time she ever told me I did a good job.” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “She got my parents, told them what a good job I had done and told them that I got my cutie mark in magic. I was so surprised that I almost fell over spinning to look at my flanks.”

“Didn't you notice?” Riverwind asked ruffling his wings and stifling a snicker. Earning him another scowl from Quill.

“Nope. My brain was too busy processing what Miss Strudel said.” Bluebell raised her hoof politely and received an approving smile from her mother and a scowl from her brother.

“Yes, Bluebell?”

“Why didn't Miss Strudel tell you about your cutie mark?” Grover snickered and clamped his beak shut when we looked at him.

“She was too busy telling me how good I did.” this time Rose raised her hoof.

“Yes, Rose?”

“What was the spell?”

“A light spell.” I said a little too quickly. Grover raised an eyebrow and stepped closer to me.

“You're lying.” Damn it.

“Fine! It was a love spell, okay!?”

                      …...........................

I tried not to bump into anypony as I followed Quill down the main road towards the palace. It probably wouldn't look very good if I walked into a pony and caused a panic. If I walked into something invisible I'd probably panic too.

The sky above was covered in dark grey clouds spanning out for miles in every direction. The buildings above us had Legionnaires on the roof, pointing mounted crossbows at the ponies milling towards the city center. Quill shook nervously as she walked and looked over her shoulder every few seconds.

“Quill, you have to stop that. They'll get suspicious.” I told her. “Just take a deep breath and calm down. I'm right behind you.”

“What about the children?” she asked, on the verge of panic. “They're able bodied. I have to check in with them or the Legion will come for them. We go by the same Legionnaire every time he knows I have children!”

“I'll take care of it, just calm down.”

“But...”

“Quill, trust me.” I hated putting her on the spot like this, but I needed to see the security and I didn't trust Grover coming with me. He'd probably go after Grogar the second her saw him. That, and I didn't want Rose anywhere the palace. She was far safer with Grover than she was with me.

We followed the line of ponies through an open gate that led into a massive courtyard in front of the palace. As ponies stepped through they showed a short, plump Legionnaire their papers before he waved them through.

“Papers Quill.” he said lazily. “Hey, where are the kids?” he asked looking around her hooves. “You know the rules Quill I'll have to call...” his eyes widened and went in different directions. He reached for Rose's papers looked at them for half a second and hoofed them back to her.

“Go ahead, pretty pony.” he said stupidly.

“Go!” I urged her forward. Persuadari. Works like a charm.

The Legion corralled everypony in the center front of the courtyard before the castle's tall wooden doors. High above the doors and built into the castle itself was a large platform supported by several metal beams. There were several Royal Guard chariots resting on the platform with Celestia's symbol crossed out and the black horns of Grogar painted on the sides.

They packed us together so tightly that I had to climb on Quill's back to avoid bumping into anypony. No wonder Rose likes riding on my back. It was a bit different since I was taller than Quill by an inch and was wearing my Guild armor and saddlebags. I told Quill she could keep the weapons, armor and food that I'd scavenged from Trot but I kept most of the potions. If things went sour we'd probably need every single one to get out alive.

Quill didn't find the arrangement as pleasant as I did. She strained under my weight, barely able to hold herself up.

“You alright, Quill?” a brown buck to our right asked, seeing her discomfort.

“Say what I say.” I whispered into her ear.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” she said nervously. “Just strained my back moving supplies last night.”

“You really ought to ask for help, my break is scheduled for tomorrow if ya need help with anything.” he said with a smile.

“I appreciate it, thanks.” a collective hush poured over the crowd as two doors on the platform above opened to the city. Everypony bowed low to the ground. Even the Legionnaires brought their chins to the ground in respect. A lone figure left the doors and walked onto the platform with a slight strut.

He was tall, very tall. Almost as tall as Celestia. His long, curved horns looked like a sinister crown on his head. His coat was light gray and he wore a red gold necklace with a glowing ruby in the center. The ruby's glow paled in comparison to the bright crimson orbs that rested where his eyes should have been. He reached the edge of the platform and smiled heinously down on the crowd, revealing razor sharp teeth.

“Good evening, my little ponies.” his voice reverberating throughout the yard, everypony's ears flattening against their heads. “You may rise.” Quill couldn't stand back up on her own with me weighing her down.

“You really did hurt your back.” the buck said, helping her up. “You should have asked for a waiver.”

“I'm fine. Shh.” Quill said tiredly. Sorry Quill.

“As you well know, two weeks ago today two dozen ponies attempted to assassinate their rightful ruler. These foolish ponies sought to restore Celestia's rule in Whitetail. Seven of the perpetrators will killed, the rest,” a sphere of black and red energy formed between his horns and in a red flash a dozen and a half ponies appeared in front of the crowd. Their legs were chained, their eyes blindfolded, and their mouths gagged. How is that possible! When I read Grover's journal I thought he was exaggerating about the zombies but if Grogar could teleport...

“These traitors sought to destroy me. And in doing so they threatened the peace and equality that I have been fostering since you became my subjects.” He scowled darkly, causing everypony and many of the Legionnaires to recoil a bit. “These cowards tried to destroy what I am trying to create, and in doing so they have sealed their fate. To die as enemies of the Empire I have spent decades building. Equestria will no longer stand as the super power it once was, it will bow to the Empire. As will the Yaks, the griffons and even the Zebra!” many of the soldiers gasped in surprise and some of the ponies in the crowd whispered among themselves.

“It is true, my subjects! Today a half dozen Legions were deployed into the South Luna Ocean. They will land in the Zebra Empire in two days time. Soon, very soon, all the world will fall under the banner of Grogar!” all the Legionnaires cheered loudly at this news, but I couldn't help but think that he was being stupid.

With a flourish he teleported to the ground behind the chained ponies, his horns bathing the prisoners in green flames. The ponies screamed through their gags and fell to the ground kicking and struggling with their restraints as the flames spread through their flesh and all the way to the bone. After two agonizing minutes, they finally died.

“There will be peace and prosperity in my Empire. Do I make myself clear?” everypony bowed in response and Grogar smiled his terrible smile that was so much worse than his scowl.

“You are dismissed.” Everypony stood, turned around and trotted away from the palace without another word. Even the kind buck who helped Quill to her hooves was utterly silent. Before we reached the gate I jumped off Quill's back and whispered,

“I'm going to look around. Don't worry, I'll be back.” she nodded and followed the flow of traffic back to her shop. That pony is dedicated. I couldn't help thinking. She was helping me get into the palace despite the consequences. Or maybe she's just desperate. I looked at the sky and from the light coming through some of the clouds it was getting late. It would start to get dark in less than an hour.

Time to see if I still got it.

                    …............................

“This will be difficult.” I told Grover once I was done casing the palace. “The security spells shouldn't be a problem but there's more guards inside the palace than in the rest of the city.” I planned on making a map of the various corridors and rooms in the palace but I got lucky. They had several maps with 'You are here' next to dots at various points on the map posted on the walls. One copy spell later I was golden.

“No doubt,” the griffon agreed. “but I take it you have a plan?” I smiled.

“Of course I do. What do you take me for?” he smirked. Rose came out of the backroom, having taken off her dress and dagger.

“Why did you take so long?” she said giving me a hug. “When Quill came back and you didn't I was so worried.”

“It's alright, Rose.” I said reassuringly, stroking her mane. “I was just looking around as all. You didn't have to worry” she had tears in her eyes, and...there was something different about her but I couldn't put my hoof on it. Maybe bringing her along wasn't the best idea. But what else could I have done? I couldn't give her to Celestia, she'd just send her to an orphanage... Maybe...

I had been thinking about finding her a safe place to stay but the only one I could think of was too far away.

“Are you sure it'll be okay? You and mister Grover are going out again aren't you? You sure it'll be okay?”

“Of course it will. This is me we're talking about!” Grover snorted. “And you know how strong Grover is. Oh, that's right. I met with the Legionnaires at the bar, talked them into waiting for another hour. Get your stuff together.” Grover nodded, and Rose hugged me tighter.

“You know, it has been a long time since you've slept in a bed.” she looked tired. Not surprising since it took us five days to get here from Trot. Fucking Nightstalkers! “What do you say I tell you a bed time story, and tuck you into bed, huh?”

“You promise you'll be okay?”

“Promise.” I said, crossing an 'x' over my heart. I noticed Quill watching me out of the corner of my. She wore a sad smile on her face.

“Everything alright, Quill?”

“Yeah, yeah...” she replied a little awkwardly. “I-I just had a question.”

“Fire away.”

“Why would you bring your daughter here?” she said, scowling darkly. “Could you not afford a foalsitter? What the hell is wrong with you?” her words cut me worse than any knife ever could, and it must have shown on my face because the hard glint in her eyes softened a bit.

“She...she's not my daughter. And I would have taken her somewhere else but we didn't have time.” I said, with more venom than I intended.

“Oh...I see.” she said, blushing a little. “If she's not your daughter, why is she with you? Younger sister or...” I watched the filly until she disappeared into one of the back rooms before answering.

“Almost two weeks ago we came through a village called Applewood.” I told her about the changelings and finding Rose's parents; keeping my voice low and my eyes on the door Rose disappeared into. By the time I was done explaining Quill looked mortified.

“I'm sorry. I just...I've wanted to get my children out of here for so long. Everyday I fear that they'll say the wrong word or do something the Legion doesn't like and that bastard will have them killed.” I almost asked if Grogar had done this before, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes. He had killed children before. Perhaps in the same manner he had executed the ponies in the square, and I brought Rose close enough for this monster to harm. Over my dead body.

“Quill?”

“Yes, Silver Scroll?”

“When Grover and I go. Please keep her safe. I know I have no right to ask,” she had her own children to protect after all. “but I beg you. Please keep her safe.”

“I'll do what I can.” she said, her eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and annoyance. I'll have to find a way to get her out of here. She didn't deserve to raise her foals here. You can bet even if Celestia retook the city, Grogar would kill everypony before running.

“I'm ready.” Grover said. He was wearing his armor, minus the helmet and a long black cloak over it; hiding the armor and his swords rather well.

“Hold on, I gotta tuck Rose in.” I went into the room that where Rose and Quill's children were sleeping. Bluebell and Riverwind shared a bed while Rose had a smaller one to herself.

“You ready for your story?” she nodded, while I used my magic to tuck her in.

“There once lived a beautiful princess, who wanted noting more than the stallion she loved to love her. One night she asked the sky 'oh how can I get him to love me?' For the stallion loved another mare and would not court with the princess.”

“Was she pretty?”

“Yes she was, but he still wouldn't court with her. When the princess talked to the sky she wasn't expecting an answer, she was just more frustrated than anything. So when she did get an answer, she was delighted and terrified all at once. For the one who answered her was none other than Discord! The spirit of chaos and disharmony took pity on her plight and gave her the recipe to a powerful love potion. One so strong that the stallion would have to love her. Little did she know that Discord had other plans.

“The princess followed Discord's instructions and gave the potion to the stallion, and at once it worked! He loved her more than anything else in the world, and she him. They loved each other so much that they never left each other's side. But there was a problem.”

“What was it?” she asked, curiously.

“The love potion wasn't a love potion...it was a love poison!” she gasped. “the poison made the princess and her new prince so in love, so lost in each other's eyes that they neglected their duties and the kingdom collapsed. After the kingdom fell, there was nopony who could stop Discord from taking over the world. Except for Celestia and Luna.”

“I knew it!” she said, with a smile.

“Celestia and Luna used their alicorn magic to defeat Discord, and from that moment on...they have ruled us as the Princess of the Sun and Moon.” she pulled herself out of her blanket and hugged me tightly.

“Thanks for the story...hey uh, Silver?”

“Yeah?”

“Can...d-do you...” she muttered.

“What is it?”

"I...I was wondering...never mind" she said sheepishly.

"It's okay Rose. Whatever it is you can tell me." I said, growing worried. Maybe she's just scared of Grogar Hell I was scared of him.

“Will you be my new mommy?” she blurted out. My heart skipped a beat. Hubbazawa? It felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. I had no idea what to say.

“It's okay if you don't...” Rose began but I cut her off, hugging her tight.

“Of course I will, Rose. Of course I will.” I said, tearing up a little.

“I love you, mommy. Stay safe, okay?” she said, smiling so sweetly I thought one of my heartstrings broke.

“Love you too. Don't worry, I have Grover, I'll be safe. Get some rest now okay?” I said, barely holding it together. Sweet fucking Celestia.

She nodded and crawled back under the covers. I tucked her back in, kissed her on the forehead and went back towards the living room. I stopped in the doorway and looked over my shoulder at the little filly. Her eyes were closed, her breathing was steady and she had a smile on her muzzle.

Then why do I feel like crying? It was then that I noticed what was different about her. She had curled her mane in several places. Just like mine.

“You ready?” Grover asked. He was standing by the door to the stairs.

“Yeah,” I said resolutely, tears pouring down my cheeks. Grover either didn't notice (unlikely given his eyesight) or he thought better of saying anything. “Let's do this”

Level Up! Stealth 100 Speech 75 New Perk added: Maternal Instinct. You inflict 20 additional damage against opponents and resist 20 additional points of damage from enemies when in the presence of children.