The Imperial arms

Celestia pov

I sat in the throne room looking over the guest Troy asked for to act as a jury. I still didn’t know why but then again, we’d never held a trial like this.

“Queen Celestia, I’d like to ask you a question.”

I looked over and saw a large white bear dressed in chainmail with leather attached to all the edges of the chainmail.

I smiled and nodded as I looked down at him. “Yes, Mr?” He smiled and bowed as he spoke.

“Asher the brawler, I’m here as bodyguard to lady Urze, third daughter of queen Priscilla.”

I looked over and looked at a white she-bear. She was petite and slender with a coat on her shoulders. She had a shortcut with a short snout. She was wearing an orange shirt with a rose-colored skirt with knee-high boots.

“So, Mr. Asher, what would you like to ask me?”

He smiled as he punched his fit together over his chest as he looked at me.

“I’ve heard that the king is willing to take on all challengers for his strongest title. Do you think he’d give me a shot at that title?”

“Sure, I’ll let you try all you’d like.”

We all looked back to see Troy walking into the throne room with Claw on his right and Tempest the mare he has as the commander of the magic unit of his army. Troy walked up to him with a quiet smile on his face as he rested his arm on his swords. They were the same height, and they had near-identical builds.

Troy pov

”I've asked for perspiration from counties who were not involved in the fighting. The reason I did this is to ensure that there can't be any anger or prejudice. Now, I'd like to ask the lawyers to come forward. And will the rest of you please retire to your rooms until you are called for the trial? Beyond that, please feel free to move about the castle and town."

They left as two earth ponies walked forward, one mare and a stallion. The mare was slightly on the older side with a green coat and blonde mane up in a bun. She was dressed in a nice grey suit. The stallion has a light brown with a short mane of black hair. He was in a white suit, and he was smirking, and he seemed to think he'd already won. "Ok, I believe that I have to explain this before the trial starts. There is no getting off of a war crime. The minimum sentence is between thirdly to fifty years. The max is death which is left up to the judge presiding and the jury to decide the method used. All that aside, I know it is short. I'd ask that you two look over everything before Monday as the judge will arrive then." The smirk was wiped off his face, and the mare smiled as she crossed her arms as she looked at him.

"See Fineprint; I told you that you were going to have to fight instead of trying to get them off scot-free on a technicality. "

I laughed like a little sweat formed on his forehead. The mare looked up at me and smiled.

"My king, I'd like to ask what Fineprint job is if such a heavy sentence is the minimum?"

I smiled as I uncrossed my legs. "His job, in this case, is to argue why they shouldn’t get the death penalty. These are the two main charges but the second deary chargers related to the rape of prisoners and torture of said prisoners.” The brown had faded from his coat. “Mr. Fineprint, you’ll be taken to a secured room so you can speak with your new clients. Where you will be given the main charges.”

“Thank you, my king.”

He quickly walked out of the room, and I couldn’t help but smiled as I looked at him as he walked out. He was panicking, and I laughed as I looked at the door.

“He's finally going to get put in his place.”

I looked at the mare and saw a smile on her face. “I guess this guy is a problem for a while?” She nodded, then crossed her arms as she started to explain.

“Yes, FinePrint is the kind of stallion who has to win. His ego is a thing of wonder at times."

I nodded as I looked at her. "So, which are you going to push for?" She smirked as she looked up at me.

"Rapists need death."

I smiled and laughed with Celestia laughing a little as she looked at her.

“I like this mare.”

I nodded as I looked at her. “What’s your name?” She smiled as she bowed a little then stood back up.

“I’m Lawseeker, The head attorney of the law firm of Trottingham.”

I smirked under my scarf and stood. “Well, Miss Lawseeker. I’ll have the papers sent to your room. I’m sure you know that you would like to see the reports from the field.” She smiled and nodded before she headed for the door. I turned and looked at Celestia. “So, Faust still has the kids?” She nodded, and I smiled as I pulled down my scarf. “Want to go get some cake from the kitchen?” She laughed as she stood up from her throne, and I looked back at mine, still thinking it was missing something.

“Is everything ok, Troy?”

I nodded as I fixed my scarf. “Ya, just thinking about the throne. It feels like it is missing something, but I couldn't tell you what.” She looked at me for a second, then nodded as she looked back at my throne.

“Yes, you never did take to this throne, did you?”

We started to walk as I tried to explain it. “It’s not I’m taken to; it’s more like I’m sitting on something that isn’t mine. It feels like I’m sitting in someone else’s seat.”

“What do you mean, Troy?”

I rubbed my head, not sure how to explain it to her. “I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like it’s not me. It just doesn’t feel right to me, but I don’t know why.” We walked into the hall, and I sighed as I took off my cloak. I stuffed it into my supply bag and rolled my shoulders before putting my hands into my pockets. The shirt I had on clung to my skin, showing the abs and chest muscles that were growing out.

“Is it me, or have your shoulders grown again?”

I looked at her for a second, then looked down at my shoulders. “Maybe, I have been using the weights more. But that aside, Margo and her guards should be here soon. And we still need to find someone who didn’t take part in the fighting to act as jury members.” Celestia nodded as we walked into the kitchen.

“Well, maybe we could get some of the hippogriffs. They mostly keep to themselves but are a minor trade partner. We have a few ponies with the merchant guild in their city. If they agree, they could be here in twelve hours.”

I nodded, then looked over at one of the doe maids we hired. “Miss, can I please get a few slices of cake.” She smiled and moved some of her blonde hair out of her face letting us see two golden eyes.

“What kind would you like? We’d made a dozen different kinds of cake to make sure the guest could have anything you’d want.”

I smiled then looked back at Celestia. “So what kind do you want?”

“Lemon would be nice. I haven’t eaten lemon cake in a while.”

I nodded, and she looked back at her. “Can you please get them for us?” She smiled and nodded as she walked deeper into the kitchen. We waited for a few minutes until she was back with a tray with two small plates with two forks on the side of the tray. I smiled and reached out to grab the tray, but a gold aura then lifted it and teleported it away. We looked at Celestia, and she smiled before she spoke.

“I’ve sent it to my office, and we need to talk in private anyways.”

I nodded and thanked the doe. We walked out of the kitchen, and once we were walking down the hall, she leaned into my side as we walked. I laughed and wrapped my arm around her waist. I noticed she had gained a little weight, and I laughed to myself. She looked up at me but didn’t ask. We walked down her hall, and we stopped at the second biggest in the hall. When we walked in, I wasn’t surprised to see a whole white room. And there on her desk was the tray. She let me go and walked over to her chair. She moved her dress a little as she sat down. I closed and locked the door. It growled, and I knew the magic would keep anyone from listening in. I walked over and sat down across from her, and we both took a piece of cake. I took the other plate and fork and started to eat as she talked.

“Now, like I was saying. I’ll come to find out some of my elite guards are circulating letters about attacking your army barracks. “

She pulled a letter from her desk and handed it over. I took it and saw a typewriter wrote it.

To all the guards of our Queen Celestia

The so-called king has made an army of slaves and thieves. A group of upstart Muts and back ally cats and the left whorses of the deer kingdom. We can’t allow this to continue, and we must take a stand and destroy this madness. It is sad to say, but our so-called brother in arms of the night guard has refused to join us. They will not betray the ‘king’ who has brought back the ‘army’ of Equestria. The fools are blinded by chance to regain the lost honor of their race. But, no matter we the solar are more than enough to destroy this farce. Once the ‘army’ is gone, we march to the castle and unseat the false king on the throne.

I hummed as I set the cake down and looked at Celestia as she finished her cake. “Do we know when they’re going to try this?”

“I have my most loyal guards listening. But, from what I’ve been told, they’re not getting traction. Many guards from both mine and Luna’s guards have gained a lot from you and your army. When the army was formed, we started to mass-produced steel and refiled. They have better armor and weapons. The vast majority of the guards aren’t from noble families like mine and Luna’s elites. And it just so happens they’re not gaining much of anything seeing as everything you’ve set out to do helped the common ponies instead of them. There’s something else as well.”

She pulled out a file, and I grabbed it. I looked at it a saw it was from the group I had raid the holes Blueblood had. I opened it and saw they had a list of names and deceased stamped beside some of them. And a list of foals related to Blueblood by blood. “I can’t believe this.” I closed the folder, and she nodded as I looked at her.

“Yes, and unfortunately, it looks like we’re going to lose more mare and a few of the foals. The conditions they were kept in are beyond cruel.”

I nodded before throwing the fold back on her desk. “Why do nobles always have to be brats about everything?”

“I guess that is my fault; I’ve left them to do as they wish for far too long, and now that you’re pulling them back to where they should be, they don’t like it.”

I huffed and sighed as I started to eat the cake.

“I know what your thinking Troy. Please don’t directly attack them anymore. I’m sure you don’t want to have to fight a new revolution.”

I sighed then nodded as I leaned back into the chair. I set the fork back on the plate and sat it down on the desk. “No, those kinds of war real destructive.”

“So, do you want that cake?”

I looked at her, and she smiled as she looked at me. I rolled my eyes then pushed it to her. She smiled as she took the plate and grabbed the fork.

“So, beyond all that, I think we’ve covered everything I needed to talk to you about.”

I nodded as I stood from the chair. "If you need to talk about anything else. I will be in my room."

"Okay."

I leaned over the table and kissed her cheek, making her smile. I nodded and turned to face the door. I walked over and unlocked the door, then walked out. I sighed and put my hands into my pockets, already tired. 'How the hell did these two do this every day?' I walked out of her hall and started down the main hall in the castle.

"Hey, Troy."

I stopped and looked down the hall and saw Isa come out of her room. I stopped and noticed Eva was behind here. “I see that one of my wolves is keeping you company.” She laughed as she ran a hand over Eva’s head.

“Yes, she’s an adorable girl. To be honest, she gave me quite the scare when she ran into the room when I left the door open for a maid.”

I laughed and patted my thigh, and Eva lifted her head. She looked at me, and I patted my thigh again. She walked over, tail wagging as she looked up at me. She was growing again, and her shoulders reached my rips. I laughed as I grabbed her head then scratched behind both her ears. She started kicking her leg as she leaned back, some making me scratch her more on the side of her lower neck. I heard Isa laugh as she looked at us. I stopped my scratching, making Eva whine as she looked at me. I reached into my bag then pulled a ham, and her ears perked up as she looked at it. I waved it around, and she whined as she looked at it. I threw it, and she was off after it and jumped to catch it as it started to fall. We laughed, and I nodded for her to follow as Eva ripped into the ham. She followed me down my hall and into my room. I walked over to my couch and looked over at my fireplace. I snapped my finger and shot the wood stack in the center on the metal bars with lightning. It took a second, but flames came from the wood as Isa closed my door and walked over to the chair I had across from me.

“Can I ask you some questions?”

I crossed my arms and nodded as I looked at her. “Sure.”

“How many battles and Campaigns were you part of?”

I leaned my head back, doing some quick may since it was common knowledge I’d slaughtered many humans. “Thirty, Thirty-two campaigns? With maybe five or six hundred battles in all along the front. In my first campaign, I was sent in to help storm a well-enforced fortress they were sieging. I remember that day well. It was a bloody struggle uphill with bullets and cannons being fired down at us.” I frown and sigh then leaned forward and looked down at my boots and the bearskin rug. I lifted my right leg and started to take my boots off.

“So, how many battles?”

I got the boot off then started to get the left off as I answered. “Let’s see; I fought in some of the more destruction battles and sieges. So, maybe seven or eight hundred battles. I fight in a battle damn near every day. I think I killed twenty or more people a day.” Isa nodded and then crossed her legs. I leaned back into the couch, and I noticed she was slightly sweating as she looked at me, and I noticed her face turning red. “Hey, you okay?” She nodded and rubbed her throat as she looked at me.

“It’s nothing, just the heat from the fire is a little much. My fur is thought than normal cow’s fur is.”

I nodded, then stood up and walked over to the huge window I had across from my bed. I dressed the curtains and opened the window. It was nice and cool outside, and I looked back at her, and she was starting to huff as she looked at me. “Ya, that’s what I thought. You're in heat, right?” She blushed, and I nodded as I threw my arm out. The fire was out, and the wood was frozen, and the room got cooler quickly. I rested my back against the wall as I looked at her.

“Do you want me to get a maid to get you a heat suppressant?” I smiled then laughed. “Or a bull?” She blushed and snorted as she looked at me.

“I can keep myself in check. I'm not a brothel cow.”

I got a little pissed about the slight jab at Bertha, but I didn’t know if she knew that or not. “Well, I think it would be best if you head back to your room.” She nodded and went to stand; her face got even redder, and she sat back down, and her face screwed up. I laughed into my fist as I looked at her, pretty sure I heard the sound of wet fabric. “Want a maid now?” She nodded, and I laughed as I walked over to the door.

“Shut up!”

I gave up trying to laugh out loud and burst out laughing before shadow yelled for me to duck. I did, and the table smashed against the door. I was a little annoyed as that was a nice hardwood table. I glanced back over to her, and she was standing and huffing. I could smell the musky scent that must have been hidden when she was sitting. “Oh, so you're an angry woman when you're in heat. Maybe an ice bath would be better.” I opened the door and looked out and smiled when I saw Velvet.

“Velvet! Hey Velvet!”

She looked over at me and smiled as she set the rag down in the cart she had. She patted down the maid’s outfit as she walked over to me.

“Ye…”

She sniffed the air, and I nodded as I stood aside and she saw Isa. She was quietly standing there, not comfortable. I leaned down and spoke to her. “I’m going to go get something to get the smell out of here. Could you please go and get her a suppressant for her heat. Why she didn’t take one before now is beyond me. After you get her to take it, help her back to her room and come back here.”

“Okay, but that musk isn’t going to get out easily.”

I nodded, then with a smirk, I answered. “Fire fixes everything Velvet.” She snorted and tried not to laugh. She quickly walked off, and I looked back at Isa. “She’d be back soon. I need to go get something to clean the chair with.” She got angry again, and I slipped out the door, knowing Celestia would go mad if she knew Isa was in heat and my room. ‘Maybe I should do Velvet, a mare who I'm supposed to be using would be a much safer bet.’ I walked to the maid’s quarters, and a maid going about cleaning the chair. She quickly told me where I could find it, and I thanked her. I carried a bucket with hot water with some stain remover and some removable scrubs products. As I got to my room, I saw Velvet walking back into my room with a bucket. She smiled and nodded as she walked in. I walked in behind her, staring straight at her now bigger flanks. She was a nice-looking mare before, but now that she had put on some weight, she was starting to look like Shy. Nice and plump, but all her weight was in her thighs and ass with a little going to her stomach.

“Good Celestia, she must have been near the height of her heat.”

I was sure she was, but I let it go for now and looked at her ass as she got on her knees in front of the chair. I smiled as I closed the door and turned the handle to the left, activating the magic blocking circle under my room. Velvet will still be able to use her magic, but she couldn’t teleport out, and no one could use magic to force their way in. I got on my right knee and set my bucket down beside her, seeing that her bucket was steaming like mine was. She smiled and sprayed something on the chair, then dunk her rag into my bucket.

“We need to talk.”

I blinked, surprised as she scrubbed the chair. “Ya?” She stopped and looked at me, then left the rag on the chair and undid her top three buttons. She opened her top, and I saw the brand slightly glowing. “Oh, so you're near your heat season?”

“Yes, I know I have maybe seven or eight more years I could have my heats. I was thinking maybe we should talk about how this is going to play out.” I nodded and stood back up, and she closed her top before she started to scrub the stain again. I walked over and sat down on my bed, and I heard whining from the window. I looked back and saw Snowball standing there. I smiled and pointed to the door. Snowball ran off, and I knew he’d be here in a minute. I laughed a little, then looked back at Velvet as she cleaned. “So, I’ll be straight about this, Velvet. Do you want sex, or do you want me to get you enough suppressant to kill all that when it starts?” Not stopping as she cleaned.

“Well, I’d given that some thought, but the only stallion I’ve even been with was my husband. And he wasn't as big as many other stallions are.”

I laughed a little then nodded my head. “Well, if you ever want to give it a try before or after your heat. Just like my girls, everything we do or don’t do is all up to you.”