Across The Pond

Once Vallius had left Twilight turned to look at the nicely dressed Khajiit. The Khajiit waved his butler away with one hand and then turned to twilight.

"Alright now that you are here we can begin" the rich Khajiit, Ra'Sakhar said. "First things first, rules. I don't have many so I expect you to remember them all. Do you understand?"

Twilight nodded, a little confused but glad rules were being set. She didn't want to overstep her boundaries with her gracious host.

"Rule one, stay on the property. If I see you even across the street there will be consequences. Rule two, from here on out you will speak only when prompted. And when you speak you are to refer to me only as 'my Lord.' Is that clear?" Ra'Sakhar asked.

Twilight stared at him in confusion. Ra'Sakhar was starting to pace now. "Answer me!" he bellowed.

"I, uh" Twilight stammered. Ra'Sakhar sighed.

"Perhaps a few days in solitary confinement will give you time to reflect on the rules. I have only gone over two and you can't even seem to speak" an upset tone tainting Ra'Sakhar's voice.

Ra'Sakhar clapped twice in rapid succession and three large Khajiit came running from somewhere down one of the hallways behind the staircase.

"Our new friend needs a time out, see that she makes it there alright" Ra'Sakhar said as he gestured to Twilight. Twilight shrank back.

The three Khajiit began to walk over to Twilight. Twilight was so confused but what she did understand was that this place wasn't as friendly as it seemed. Twilight's horn began to glow and soon shot forth three, six inch, icy poles. Each one hit a Khajiit dead center in their chest. They were not expecting resistance and the sudden strike, while doing minimal damage to the large Khajiit, caused them stammer a nit.

They then ran for twilight, two ran up on either side of her and the third down the middle. Before Twilight could get a spell off Ra'Sakhar spoke up "Wait."

"Yes, my lord?" asked one of the Khajiit.

"Perhaps I will find better use for her out of my humble abode" Ra'Sakhar said stroking the fur on his chin. "Tomorrow morning I will see her personally transported to the Imperial City."

"If you don't mind me asking my lord, what for?" asked the Khajiit that was now holding Twilight still.

Ra'Sakhar smiled "isn't it obvious? Since she seems to have some fight in her, why not let her fight? In the Arena" Ra'Sakhar said, ending it with a dark chuckle.

"Alright all of you, I got some mixed signals about wanting to learn to fight. Don't deny it I saw it in your faces" the Blade known as Strillian said, strength behind his voice. "Don't feel like you are forced to fight, there are many ways you can help."

It was breakfast time and everybody was in the main hall save for two men who were sent to watch the gates. The ponies were enjoying their honeyed oats that was prepared for them and had just about every question they had answered last night. Strillian even managed to answer a few of Pinkie Pie's questions when he was able to register them.

"So if you don't want to fight, speak up now" Strillian said looking around. He looked in the face of the five mares, the unicorn that identified his rank as a captain, and to the four pegasi and three unicorn guards that made up the captain Rain Step's unit.

Rarity was the first to speak. "A lady doesn't resort to such barbaric activities, instead she uses her wit to gain the upper hoof." Applejack rolled her eyes and Rainbow started to snicker. Strillian ignored them.

"Very well, anyone else?" Strillian asked.

"I, um, that is to say" Fluttershy began meekly. "Speak up I can't quite hear you" Strillian told the yellow pegasus.

"I don't think that, um, I would make" Fluttershy's voice started out louder but slowly became inaudible. Everyone was staring at Fluttershy waiting for her to continue. Fluttershy shrank back and hid behind a curtain of pink hair. There was sound coming from behind Fluttershy's pink mane but not even Rarity, whom was sitting beside her, could make out what she was saying.

"I don't think she want's to fight either" Applejack said looking worriedly towards Fluttershy. Rarity was rubbing Fluttershy's back.

"Very well" Strillian said, clasping his hands together. "If there isn't anyone else then lets begin. Finish eating and meet me in the courtyard."

All of them finished quickly, regardless if they were planning of training or not.

They all filled out of the doors and into the courtyard were Strillian had a weapons rack set up. The thirteen ponies all came up and watched as Strillian began to talk.

"There are many ways to take down an opponent here. If you want to be as efficient as you can I need to know your strong points so we can give you proper weapons. So all of you line up and tell me what you are good at and we will test out a few weapons before we begin." Strillian told them. They all listened and made a single file line. The royal guards were first.

Two of the pegasi were given daggers, one was given a short sword, and the last pegasus guard was given an ax. The three unicorn guards were each given a simple steel blade and told they would be focusing on their magic but shouldn't be without basic sword training.

Captain Rain Step stepped up and Strillian asked him what he had been asking everypony "any strengths or weaknesses you need to tell me about?" Captain Rain Step responded with "I'm good with my magic, healing is my specialty."

"Hmm, that is good to hear, always good to have a healing mage in your group" Strillian told him with a nod as he handing Rain Step a steel sword.

Rainbow had stepped up now and before Strillian could ask her she said excitedly "I'm the fasted in all of Equestria and being a weather pony I can spot a cloud from all across town."

Strillian didn't know what she had meant by weather pony and was fairly certain that he didn't want to know, but a good pair of eyes was something they could work with. "So you have good eyes? That is, you can see over far distances?" Strillian asked.

"Yes, yes I can." Rainbow said, sounding rather smug.

"Is that arrogance or confidence?" Strillian asked with a raised eyebrow. Applejack chuckled but Strillian didn't seem to notice. "At any rate here, if you do have the eyes you boast then you could be an archer" Strillian said handing Rainbow a long bow and a sheath containing fifteen arrows. Rainbow took them and smiled, proud she had gotten something nopony else could get.

Applejack walked up and Strillian asked "do I really need to repeat myself?" Applejack shook her head to answer his question before speaking "to tell you the truth 'ah don't know what my strong points are. 'Ah mean i've been in a few fights here and there as a filly but nothing with weapons, sorry."

"No need to apologize, tell me, what do you do back home?" Strillian asked.

"Ah help run mah families farm" Applejack told him. "Why do ya ask?"

"Well you answer helps me determine what a few strong points might be. Most often farmers tend to be physically fit and generally strong. If this is true then I want you to use this" Strillian said picking up a very long and slender blade and offering it to Applejack. She grabbed it with her teeth, it was heavy but she was strong.

She trotted over to Rainbow Dash who was staring at the blade. "Would you look at that thing? It's nearly twice as long as me" Rainbow said without taking her eyes off of it. Applejack rolled her eyes and watched as Pinkie Pie bounced up to Strillian.

"Though I must admit I am afraid to ask, what is your profession?" Strillian said.

"I'm a baker!" Pinkie Pie said with much enthusiasm.

"Really?" Strillian asked. "I was expecting something like court jester or some such thing."

Pinkie laughed. "Nope, just a baker."

"Well then you can put your skills to use at the alchemy table. Though you should have basic blade training as well" Strillian said handing her a steel sword.

"Alright everyone there is someone here to help you with training, those with the more unique weapons will be separated and trained individually. If there aren't any questions, lets begin" Strillian said, clapping his hands together.