Across The Pond

Strillian and his small squad of Blades made it to Imperial City before nightfall, once there each were assigned a different district to keep calm. Strillian talked at the market district and the other Blades were split up throughout the rest of the districts.

Strillian had been preparing what he would say during their swift trip there and now it seems he was unneeded. The people walked around as if everything was normal. Strillian was about to cry out in frustration when he realized they had probably yet to hear the news. Strillian shook his head, all this talk of war, and so sudden was driving him mad.

It was dusk now, and Strillian was on his way to the Imperial Palace at the center of the city to speak with Emperor Mede. He was making his way though the Market District when he saw a shrouded man running though an alleyway, clutching some long object Strillian couldn't make out. Strillian stood there for a moment, wondering if it was anything he should bother himself with, after all he wasn't a city guard.

Strillian decided to chase the figure down, figuring since he considered this a time of war any suspicious activity in the city. Strillian moved quickly to catch up but was careful and as quite as he could be. He had reached the end of the alleyway but stopped before he turned when he heard talking.

"Do you really think it's safe for us to meet here?" asked the first voice. It was a male, though the voice was raspy, as if coming from an old man.

"It's safe enough, anyone happens by we just kill them. I am starting to draw unwanted attention and with that damned letter the Thalmor sent the city is on high alert. besides I prefer it to those damned sewers that's for sure" responded the second voice. This time the man speaking had a strong, deep voice. Even as they whispered it was clear that this man's voice was strong.

'Where do I know that voice? It's so familiar but I can't place it.' Strillian thought.

"Well our Lord has decided the Thalmor are becoming quite the nuisance. So you are being reassigned, your history with the Thief's Guild should prove useful. Your orders are outlined on this note, once you've memorized them, burn it" the first voice told him.

"A bit unusual isn't it? What will I be doing that my time in the Thief's Guild will be useful?" asked the second voice.

'Wait, I think I know him, it can't be.' Strillian thought, waiting to hear more to verify his suspicion.

"That's not even the start of it, word is you'll be working along side the Dark Brotherhood" said the first voice, surprise showing itself even in the raspy words of the man.

"The Dark Brotherhood? Interesting, I will read these orders and follow them to the letter. Hail Lord Aramoth" came the second man.

"Hail Lord Aramoth" responded the raspy voice. "Oh and Scelian, try not to disappoint, since you are leaving this city you might as well go out in style" the first voice said.

'Scelian? The Captain of Imperial City's Guard Scelian? No this can't be right. Scelian is one of the Emperor's best men.' Strillian began to back out of the alley. Once he was in the street he ran for the Imperial Palace as fast as he legs would carry him.

It was the second official day of training and Applejack and Rainbow were in the courtyard. They were being taught to fight without their weapons in the event they were not able to use them for one reason or another. The Blades who were explaining it to them had Rainbow Dash and Applejack sparring each other for practice after a few hours of explaining different techniques. The idea behind this was since they are both inexperienced fighters and have the same anatomy it would be less of a stretch for the beginners.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack spared as they were told. Each won about half the time. Applejack was strong due to all the apple trees she had bucked growing up, but what Rainbow lacked in strength she made up for in speed. Applejack wasn't slow and Rainbow Dash sure wasn't weak but those were the best things they had going for them.

The two friends had another long, drawn out sparring match that ended up more as a test of endurance than skill, leaving both mares completely exhausted. Both were laying on their backs resting. The sun was starting to set and they hadn't seen their friends all day. They laid there for a moment, allowing their heart rates to return to normal after the extraneous work out.

Applejack was the one to break the silence "What do ya suppose Pinkie has been up to? 'Ah mean she didn't have a weapon or nothin' and we haven't heard an explosion all day so she couldn't have gone back to alchemy."

"I dunno, I'm sure Pinkie has something keeping her occupied right now. It's weird though, being this close to her and having this silence, well almost silence" as Rainbow said this she motioned to three groups two of Canterlot Royal Guards sparing with each other.

"I heard Kolfinna took her a little higher into the mountain for special training. Well not special training more of a, 'I don't wanna fix another hole in the roof so we train out here,' training" said their instructor with a chuckle.

"What is she training with that they think she'll make another hole in your temple?" Rainbow Dash asked as she sat up.

"I have no clue, but I bet if you ask around someone is bound to know" said the Blade.

Rainbow Dash started rubbing her chin in thought but being unable to think of any better idea's she decided asking around was the best option in trying to figure out why they had separated Pinkie Pie. They had finished training for the day and since they had nothing better to do so she stood up and turned to Applejack, who was still laying on her back. "You coming?" she asked, a bit annoyed that the orange mare had yet to get on her hoofs.

"Nope, I figure we can just ask Pinkie when she gets back. What's the rush anyhow?" asked Applejack.

"No rush I guess we can wait. Have anything in mind to pass the time while we wait?" asked Rainbow Dash?

Applejack rolled over onto her hoofs and stood up before saying "why don't we go an' see how Fluttershy's and Rarity's day was went."

"Fine" Rainbow Dash said in defeat. "But the second Pinkie gets back I'm gonna find out what she got, I bet it's some kind of super awesome, amazing one."

Applejack chuckled and said "well we'll just have to wait and see. Now come on Dash, 'ah bet they're waiting for us."