Across The Pond

Pinkie Pie bounced close behind the Blade as they walked up the steep incline to Cloud Ruler Temple. The few hours they had walked was mostly in silence. Only broken when Applejack or Rarity would comment on the scenery. The trip had taken longer than expected. Fluttershy had made them all stop whenever they would happen across some creatures along the trail. The only time the Blade had spoken was when he had mentioned he was glad none of the animals attacked them on the trip.

The steep trail was a little long and seemed to get radically colder as they moved towards the temple. Once they had reached the top everypony was starting to feel it, though none of the Canterlot guards that remained were shivering it was apparent on their faces.

When they reached the top two large iron gates blocked their path. The Blade stopped a about twelve feet from the doors and Pinkie bounced right into him and fell back.

"Oops, sorry" Pinkie said with a smile.

The Blade ignored Pinkie Pie. Instead he looked up to the top of the wall and shouted "open the gates Strillian!"

A few moments passed an everypony began to look around at each other, but before one could ask the Blade that guided them the iron doors sprang to life. Slowly opening to them. They all walked though to see a few flights of stairs ahead. Pinkie bounced up them excitedly, ready to meet whomever this new friend Strillian was. The others followed behind her.

Just then Pinkie's tail began to spasm, Pinkie gasped. As a Blade walked up to them wearing the same armor the one that guided them did, arms extended in a welcoming gesture, Pinkie Pie tackled the man. A few of the Blades saw this and rushed over, their hands on the hilt's of their blades.

But before they could reach the two a few shingles fell from the roof, landing in front of the Blades that were rushing over, narrowly missing their heads.

"You should be more careful" Pinkie said cheerfully as she bounced away.

"Well you quick reaction time might have saved me an unnecessary trip to the hospital section of our temple, so thank you." said the Blade, looking up at the roof rubbing his head and silently wondering what had caused it.

He didn't dwell on it for long though. He soon got up and dusted himself off. Then, making the same gesture as he did before he said "Welcome, to Cloud Ruler Temple. We are the Blades, we are the hidden eyes and ears of the Emperors throughout the ages. My name is Strillian."

"well howdy there Strillian, mah name is Applejack and these are mah friends, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, an' Rainbow Dash" Applejack said, pointing to each of her friends in turn. "Charmed" Rarity said giving a lady like curtsy .

"Hello everyone, I received word you all would be coming but I wasn't told for what purpose. Care to fill me in?" Strillian said.

It was Pinkie Pie who answered his question, as well as many he didn't ask. "Well you see we have this friend her name is Twilight Sparkle she is a unicorn and she is purple. She is a good friend of our and our princess said she was here, well not here here but here as in this whole place" Pinkie said rolling backwards until she fell.

She got up again in an instant before continuing "Anyway she was born in Equestria and never has been here before, at least I don't think she had been here before. Anyway she came here, probably, and since everypony here is so violent and grumpy we decided to learn to defend ourselves from evil doers across the land" Pinkie said with finality in her voice, raising a hoof to the level of her face and looking slightly upwards.

"What?" Strillian asked.

"We wan't to learn to fight so we can find our friend without getting ourselves hurt" Rainbow Dash told Strillian.

"Well all right then, that can be arranged. We can start tomorrow, but for now why don't go you inside and warm up" Strillian told them. Everypony went inside, excited to get out of the nippy air.

Once everypony had gone inside the Blade that had escorted them walked over and asked "So what do you think?"

"About what?" Strillian asked.

"The pink one."

Strillian chuckled a little before saying "she just kept talking and talking in one incredibly unbroken sentence so that no one had a chance to interrupt her. It was really quite hypnotic."

Strillian and the other Blade walked towards the double doors that lead to the eating hall where their unique guest were now getting settled.

Shotherra followed Vallius as he walked away. She kept him in eyesight but she kept her distance. She followed Vallius until he had reached the cities limits then began walking on the trail. This was her chance.

Shotherra ran up to Vallius, not bothering with stealth on the open trail in broad daylight. Vallius turned to see the female Khajiit running towards him.

"Hello?" Vallius asked.

"Greetings Imperial. I wish to have a word with you, in private" Shotherra said.

"Actually I am married, but thanks for the offer" Vallius said as he began to walk away.

"That's not what I meant" Shotherra said through her teeth as she pulled out her short sword.

Vallius turned back around and looked at the short sword before saying "Anyplace you had in mind?"

They walked for about ten minutes before reaching a small indentation within a few rocks. Vallius looked around, expecting some large animal to have made this a den. Seeing none he focused his attention on Shotherra.

"So who are you and why have you brought me here?" Vallius demanded.

"I just need to know something" Shotherra told Vallius.

"And that would be, what exactly?" asked Vallius.

"Are you working with Lord Aramoth?" Shotherra asked.

"The Khajiit at the mansion said something about an Aramoth fellow" Vallius told her. "I didn't know who he was then and I don't know now."

"Well that was easier than expected" Shotherra said swiping her bladed at Vallius. Vallius was keeping a mindful eye on the Khajiit woman so when she started making the motions to strike Vallius got out of the way.

Vallius drew his own sword as he did so and turned around. Raising his sword just in time to meet Shotherra's blade.

Shotherra cursed herself for not taking his weapon when she had the chance. This was no fool legionnaire, this Imperial clearly knew his way around a blade.

Shotherra jumped back then raised her left hand, extending her claws.

"Are you going to hiss too?" Vallius taunted with a grin.

Shotherra ran up and swung her claws and Vallius who moved out of the way with ease. Then came her short sword from the other direction, Vallius brought up his blade to block but found his strength failing him after he felt a claw slide up his arm.

Vallius backed up, breathing heavily. "Who are you, and what do you want with me?" Vallius asked.

"My name is Shotherra, I am a member of the Dark Brotherhood and someone wants you dead. That is all you need to know" Shotherra said in a dark monotone.

Shotherra ran at Vallius, raising her sword. Vallius stood there, clutching his sword but allowing it to stay at his side.

And then, Vallius smiled his dopey grin.