There was no question about it, this place was a wreck. While the building might, at one time, have been majestic and imposing, today it stood as little more than a shadow of what it once was. Perhaps, in another life, it may have been the dwelling of a powerful and wealthy Griffon, with evidence of tapestries and other works of art littered about the place. But today? Today, it stood defiled, with those tapestries torn and spoiled by centuries of neglect and damage. The stone walls around them all bore the scratch marks of decades worth of Bugbear dwelling, and all around was layer upon layer of dust, showing just how old the place truly was. But, in the midst of all of this, Griffons were here once more, scouring the place alongside a few Lunar soldiers. Their people had not set foot inside these halls for generations, and now, here they were, once more the masters of this place.
"Alright, time to move on!" a Griffon Captain commanded.
Several of his troops all saluted, making their way out of the room once the place had been secured. But, as they left, the Captain raised a single clawed hand, stopping one troop, a female.
"I need someone to stay here and keep an eye on things while we move further in."
To her credit, the female in no way seemed put off by this, and gave another salute.
"Sir!"
The Captain nodded, then began to head off with the rest of the Griffon and Lunar soldiers, leaving that one Griffon behind, along with another, a single Lunar who had remained under similar orders. For a time, neither of them said anything, simply walking around the room glancing at anything that might have gained their interest. But, as time went on, the Griffon's eyes drifted to one item in particular. A statue, depicting some long-forgotten Griffon King, which stood in the corner, bearing a number of cracks and chips to it. She walked over to it, looking upon it with awe and respect, which earned her the attention of the Lunar soldier. The latter, a unicorn stallion, made his way towards her, and he too glanced at the statue, saying nothing as his Griffon companion finally said something.
"Ever since I saw pictures of this statue in books at school, I've always admired it."
A smirk formed on her face.
"And now it's ours again."
She chuckled.
"My fellow Griffons may be satisfied with reclaiming gold, jewels and other treasures of our past with these conquests, but me? To me...reclaiming this...reclaiming our lost culture...that is the real prize."
The stallion nodded, his eyes never leaving the statue.
"It is a fine trophy."
Slowly, he turned to her.
"But do you really think you've earned this?"
Hearing that, she looked back to him, raising an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?"
The stallion began to explain himself.
"When we entered this territory, we did so with a larger and organized military force. And our opponents? They were nothing more that a few packs of savage Bugbears. Do you really think you deserve..."
He gestured to the statue.
"...a prize like this?"
The Griffon narrowed her eyes at him.
"We're Griffons. We deserve these Eastern lands and everything in them."
In response, the Lunar frowned right back.
"Why?"
Staring at him, the female seemed almost offended at the remark.
"Are you questioning my people's right to these lands?"
The stallion shook his head.
"No. But I want to know, from you, in your words, why you feel your people are entitled to them."
Naturally, the female was a little taken aback by this, as though it was the first time anybody had actually asked her such a thing. For a time, it seemed as though she was unable to really think of an answer, so, after clearing her throat, she began to explain as best she could.
"Our people were living in these mountains since the dawn of recorded history. This territory belonged to us before the peoples of the Western domains had ever even heard of us. Then..."
She grew angered in her tone.
"...those beasts came here. They took what was ours! Can you believe it? Those animals dared to strike against is! Their betters!"
The stallion raised an eyebrow.
"Better?"
His companion frowned again.
"Yes!"
The other soldier nodded, thinking on that.
"Tell me...do you consider yourself to be better than the Bugbears we fought? And I mean you, not your people."
As one would expect, the Griffon wasn't quite expecting a question like that.
"Er...yes?"
The stallion turned to her, taking a step closer to her.
"You are stronger, more cunning, more capable?"
Seeing this, the female backed away slightly.
"Y...yes?
"And if you didn't have my people's help? If you were alone instead of part of an army? If the ones occupying this land were armed soldiers instead of mere animals? Would you still consider yourself better?" the stallion continued.
The female backed away again, now stuttering in her words.
"I...I...I...I..."
Seeing this, the stallion deepened his frowned, stopping his forward movement.
"Do not ever think of victory as assured simply because you think your enemies are inferior!"
He looked back to the statue.
"Never underestimate the opponents you go up against. Because if you do...you may well find yourself as the losing side."
Looking back to her, he once more narrowed his eyes.
"If the day ever comes when you and your people find yourselves on the retreat again...remember that."
Though utterly silenced by the soldier's words, the female Griffon found herself slowly nodding to him, leading to a brief, yet serous nod on the part of the latter. However, it was here that the two were interrupted by the sound of somepony clearing their throat. Turning, they saw that it was none other than Lightning Dust, who was standing in the doorway of the room, looking to both of them. Instinctively, the Lunar soldier gave a salute as his commanding officer entered. But, for now, Lightning said nothing, instead turning to the Griffon.
"Your Captain needed to speak to you. We're heading out to the next fort soon."
The Griffon nodded, casting a brief glance at the Lunar soldier beside her before, finally, heading out as instructed. Once they were alone, Lightning turned to her subordinate, raising an eyebrow.
"Getting a bit personal with our allies, soldier?"
The soldier saluted again.
"No, Ma’am!"
Lightning nodded.
"At ease."
The soldier nodded back to her, before speaking up in a more relaxed manner.
"If I may say so, Ma’am, these Griffons seem to be going into these fights with the wrong attitudes."
Lightning chuckled.
"Tell me about it. I swear, their Queen seems like the only one who's got her head screwed on right."
At the mention of Gabby, the soldier looked around, making sure they were alone, before leaning closer to his leader.
"Ma’am...is it true? The rumour? Queen Gabby will be declaring for our Queen? In earnest?"
Lightning too looked around, before glancing back to her underling.
"Talks are still being had...but Gabby will do nothing until we've secured all old Griffon territory. It'll make her more popular. More able to convince her people."
The soldier nodded, giving a knowing look.
"In that case...perhaps we should re-join our allies. Help them in their next fight?"
Lightning chuckled.
"Now that’s what I like to hear, soldier."
