Chapter I: Rough Start
"Ave Ad Imperatorum"
A large red stamp at the bottom of my papers marked the approval for service...
... service in a war that didn't need to be fought.
I didn't want to kill; I never liked the idea of it. I hated violence, yet there I was. I only joined up because my parents were too old to serve and my brother only had three legs, a birth defect. We couldn't afford to take care of mother and father. The army paid great and was easy to join, so, I joined...
But I didn't expect to be sent straight to the godsdamned front lines! That was a death trap! I joined to support my family, not be killed by barbarous mudponies... I sat there, on the Anguis VII airship, pondering if I should have joined. After thinking about it for a moment, I decided it was an inconsequential decision. It was either this, or break my back in the dragon mines. A strong gust of wind whistled through my mane, reminding me that I was six kilolegs above ground.
"Papers!" A brown stallion in bronze armour shouted. His cingulum was a bit longer than most of the soldiers' here. Its leather straps were wider and had less metal disks weaved through it. It made it look even more like a skirt than it already did. The armour on his torso was the same as everypony else's, anatomical and made to look like muscles. Just crafted from bronze instead of chainmail and steel. His helmet is what made him stand out the most; metal with a red mohawk, and a second peacock like one in the back. This showed his rank as centurion...
Centurion Luteus.
He trotted along the wood floor as all fourteen of the soldiers on board stood at attention, including me. We stood side-by-side, perfectly inline with each other. Our forelegs pressed together and our hindlegs spread apart. The right wing always raised straight up. During training, I would often embarrassingly mix up my right from left. Legate Massa would beat me for it, but I soon learned.
He grabbed their papers from their mouths with his wing, then tossed them to a griffon servant after looking at them briefly. I held mine in my teeth, trying to not get the paper wet. Next after next after next, grab read go. Then he got to me.
He looked at me. He just... He was staring at me! Oh gods, what did I do!? I didn't fuck up! I was doing everything right! Why was he staring into my soul!? Fuck! Fuck! FUCK!!! What do I fix!? What do I do!? What did I do!? Fuck me, fuck me!!! He's going to be-
"Right wing, munifex, not your left."
Oh.
I quickly fixed my stance as he took my papers. I could hear some soldiers snickering.
He continued to the next Munifex.
Wait, what? No beating? No shouting? Just a correction? That sounded nothing like a centurion. He should be berating me right now! Bloodying my face and ribs! Why didn't he punish me? He should have punished me!
...
Strange.
We trotted off the airship, single file. It was noon, and bright. The ground below our cloud fortification was lavish with flowers. There were so many, I could smell them all from here.
I turned and watched the airship be carried away by its large oval balloon. Taking its annoyingly loud engines with it. The fourteen of us lined up at the entrance. It was large and made of forgefog. Layers of storm clouds mushed together, using iron in the water vapor to stick together and hold solid objects.
This made the structure black and menacing. The Empire took advantage of the fear-inducing colours and would usually give the forts a spiked-looking nature. Each corner had a natural rise that connected to make a thorn shape and the alternating merlons, the bumps on top a castle wall, were also spiked. The Empire loved to use fear tactics on the enemy… but it also scared me. A lot. I don’t know if the other soldiers felt this way, I never asked them. I tried to hide my fears of my own kind’s architecture. I remember some others stating their enjoyment of it, or how they thought it was “appetizing”.
A lot of things frightened me.
The line to the fort was rather long. Many of us sat there in our metal armours, under the hot sun, with no shade. It was hot, as it should be mid-summer. A lot of us felt the Unicorns kept the sun up in certain areas to cause Pegasi soldiers to be exhausted, but this was usually regarded as myth. The Unicorn cult believed it could control the sun and moon, which to us was considered blasphemy. We all knew that the sun was actually controlled by the goddess Solis, and that the moon was her lost bird, following her path. The Unicorns believed that their lies made them superior. They’re nothing but mindless fools, if you ask me. Still, their powerful magic scared me a little…
“Name and Designation!” A blue pegasus said at the gate. She held a board & paper in her wing and a quill between her teeth. She wore very little armour, and most of it was covered by her simple brown robes. A sword rested at her side in a leather sheath. This is what most praetors dressed as. A praetor commanded a contubernia made of twenty Pegasi. Each of these had two maniplus which was commanded by a decanus. A decanus was a designated squad leader. A muni prima could take position as a maniplus leader if the decanus was unavailable.
I really hated having to memorize those damn field manuals.
“Miles Munifex! Hastati Unit! Miss!” A mare two stallions ahead of me shouted.
“Report to tent B and speak with Decanus Sol!” The praetor yelled back.
“Name and Designation!”
“Miles Munifex! Sagittarii Unit! Miss!”
“Report to tent A and speak with Decanus Horreo!”
I had a better view of the gate now, it arched over with little spikes pointing down at the entrance. Two ponies stood guard, wielding spears. While a Sagittarii was on top of the arch, wielding a rifle.
“Name and Designation!”
“Conicen! Immunes! Miss!”
“Odecay orfay munesifay?”
“Hail the Emperor! Illkay nemyay!”
“Report to tower two! Await for further instructions!”
… that was weird. They weren’t speaking latin for sure… what the hell was that? Was that the mudpony language?
“Are you even listening soldier!?” The praetor shouted in my face. I felt moist with spit… Oh shit, she was talking and I didn’t listen! Crap, crap, crap!
“Um… w-what…?” I mumbled.
She slapped me.
“NAME AND YOUR FUCKING DESIGNATION, SOLDIER!”
“Uh.. A-adscripticius M-”
She slapped me again.
“SPEAK UP!!!”
“Adscripticius Munifex! Beneficiarii Unit! M-miss!” I shouted as loudly as possible. My cheek was red and hot.
“Report to tent A and speak with Decanus Horreo!”
“Yes Miss!” I flew inside as quickly as I could.
The courtyard was busy. Ponies flew from here to there to get their job done. I could see a few Beneficiarii like me moving about. Polishing armour, sharpening swords, getting Decanae’s wine and dinner… we didn’t count to the twenty soldiers in a Contubernia. Sometimes a Contubernia would actually have over thirty ponies, with only twenty in actual fighting positions. As a Beneficiarii, it was my job to assist the commanders with chores and errands.
I wasn’t a fighter, but still had the job of protecting the fort. The same as everypony else.
The courtyard smelled of sweat and steel, and my gods was it burning up. It had to be at least thirty four degrees! I wanted to throw away my convicting armour and relax under the shade of a cloud! Maybe just resting below the fort in the flowers. I swiftly found the tent and went inside. It was made of animal hides, probably acquired from Griffon merchants.
Inside was at least sixteen ponies. We all stood patiently, waiting for the decanus to come in. A pony wearing a leather cuirass trotted up to the podium. He had silky smooth blue fur and a blond mane that was majestic and free flowing. His emerald eyes shined and sparked into my soul. His cutiemark, a hurricane, showed his strength.
Oh gods, my heart fluttered.
“I assume everypony knows this is tent A?” the handsome stallion said. Some mutters of yes and unintelligible mumbles came after, before one of the mares trotted out, embarrassed.
“Good, good. I’m Decanus Horreo, I am your commander for the next five years of your service. Some of you may have heard of me, some of you maybe not. Whether you like me or not, you will obey me. Do all of you understand?”
“Yes sir!” We shouted in unison.
“As decanus, I have standards for my soldiers. These standards are set with rules that you will not obstruct or exploit. Rule one: you will not quarrel or bicker with fellow soldiers. Even Beneficiarii. Rule two: you will not jeopardize our army with cowardice. You will push on and fight until the blood in your body ceases to flow.
“Rule three: you will not fear death. You will not be weak. You will not falter. But you will follow my every command, and you’ll do it down to the smallest detail. If I order you to die for the Empire, then you will most certainly die.”
He shuffled and looked over all the ponies in armour. His expression was stern.
“Hastati, report!” He shouted.
Four ponies saluted and shouted “Hail!”
“Lancerii, report!”
Three others did the same.
“Sagittarii, report!”
Three more.
“Conicen, report!”
Four ponies with instruments didn’t salute, but shouted hail.
“Beneficiarii, report!”
I hesitated. I was the last one, I couldn’t do it. I needed to! He said to report! Oh gods, why couldn’t I salute!? H-... h-...
“H-hail!” I saluted, then quickly switched to my right wing.
I heard Horreo mumble something under his breath…
“Fighting units, report to the armoury. Conicen, report to the mess hall and practice your music. Beneficiarii, remain where you are. Dismissed!”
Everypony moved towards the exit, signing their names on the dossiers by the door. I watched them converse with one another, the musicians especially. I felt odd, standing there alone. I didn’t like it. I wasn’t good at making friends back home, and I especially couldn’t make them in the army.
I sat on my rump, waiting patiently for everypony to leave. They were all stronger and bigger than me. Except the Conicen, but at least they had musical talent! All I was good at was picking flowers. I had the cutiemark to prove it; a yellow poppy against my grey coat.
After everypony left, Horreo addressed me. “Beneficiarii.”
I stood at attention. “Sir!”
“Relax. Why is your face bruised?”
“I uh, wasn’t listening to the praetor at the gate, sir.”
“I said relax. What’s your name?” He walked over from his podium.
“Munifex Flos, sir.”
“I said at ease.” I relaxed. “I want your name, not your rank.”
“Uh, Tenor Flos, sir.”
He chuckled, “Call me Horreo. You have a pretty name, Tenor.”
H-huh? “Um, thanks.” Was I blushing? Oh gods, why am I blushing?
He trotted over to the dossiers and grabbed them in his wing, he wrote something on it before handing them over to me. His soft smile made me melt…
“Pass these papers to the main tower. Top of the stairs, then the room on the right.” he said, moving his hooves to draw a spiral staircase.
“Yes sir...”
Stars,
Millions of them, dotting the sky. They outlined the heavens.
I snuck out of the bunks, quietly creeping along the many sleeping soldier ponies. Many of whom snored loudly enough to cover any noise my hooves made on the cloud floors. I left my armour and clothing beside my cot, I didn’t want it. I pushed my head out of the tent, and smelt the fresh air. I saw the stars and their beauty. Glimmering about the midnight-blue sky. The moon was bright and shone down on the fort.
I crept towards the gate. I stopped when I saw sentries putting out the torches that lined the black walls. The area was becoming darker, which was good for me. My grey fur and black mane would blend in easily. Once I passed the gate, I dragged myself to the edge of the cloud. Looking down, I saw the many colourful flowers, just waiting for me. Beckoning me to come to them. I dropped over the edge and slowly glided down with my wings spread apart. Allowing the wind to carry me.
The grass was soft against my hooves, and the flowers tickled my legs. The dirt was cool. The smell was oh so lovely. I saw tulips, dandelions, poppies, and so much more. It had been so long since I felt the ground. I laid down in the field of colours, rolling onto my back with a giggle. I looked to my left and saw a green caterpillar, eating a flower.
“Hello, mister caterpillar.” I said with a smile.
The little bug looked at me and I swore it tried to wave at me. The small insect continued to feast on the green plant. I looked up at the stars again. They were so pretty. The view would have been better if the scary dark fortress wasn’t in the way. I saw the Big Dipper, and next to it the North Star. Just hovering above a range of mountains in the distance.
I loved the ground.
“Tenor, what’s wrong?” My brother asked. He sat in a mechanized chair that bore wheels on each side.
“I’m scared.”
“You should be.” A pegasus in black robes and hood, he held a dagger in his mouth. I turned from him to see a lute player, only plucking a single string.
“Tenor Flos…” Horreo said. He was handsome, tall, and stout. His mane blew in the wind that wasn’t there. He reached out a hoof and solemnly placed it upon my bruised cheek.
“That’s a pretty name.”
I was woken by the pony who slept above me. She climbed down tapped my shoulder with her yellow hoof. She had blue eyes like me and an orange mane with soft features.
“Come on, you’re gonna miss breakfast.” she said. I just looked up at her for a moment, the light in the room hurting my eyes.
“Come oooon silly. You’re gonna miss all the good stuff. Me too if you don’t come on.”
After I stared at this stranger for a few more seconds she clutched my fore legs and pulled me out from my covers. I hit the floor face first with a splat. The mare giggled at me. It wasn’t that funny…
“Your mane is a mess, haha!” she lifted me onto all fours and then pointed at my head again, “You even have something green in there… what is that?”
I hoofed at my hair until I pulled out a blade of grass.
Shit.
“Um… no idea!” I shouted throwing the grass behind me. I sweated. Please don’t notice, please don’t notice. I put on an as believable smile as I could.
“Right, well, let’s get going. I’m fuckin’ starving.” Whew!
That was close.
The mare left me as soon as we entered the mess hall. After eating cooked veggies I trotted outside in search of something to do. It was very windy this morning, I might join the placement team to keep the fort from drifting off. It happened from time to time, and wasn’t a big deal unless it was caused by griffins… what if this wind was griffins? Oh no, I hope not. Oh please don’t be griffins. I don’t want to f-
“Tenor.”
I jumped in panic and stumbled to the ground. I looked up and saw… him. Oh gods he was so dreamy… wait, he’s a decanus! I quickly stood at attention and saluted him (Hey! I raised the correct wing this time!). He told me to be as I was.
“I need you to go back to the main tower and get those unit forms. If they’re done of course. If not, just come back to me.”
“Yes sir!”
“Call me Horreo, Tenor. I’ll be seeing you around.” Did he just wink? Oh Mars he winked at me! Is he flirting? B-but he’s a decanus! He isn't allowed to do that, is he?
I tried to hide my blush before taking off to the tower at the back of the fort.
I pushed the doors open and climbed up the spiral stairs. The fogbricks lining the walls were pleasing to look at as I ascended. I made it to the top and turned right, into Praetor Dice's office. She sat there in her robes, reading papers. A record player nearby was playing a piece that sounded like two violins and a lute. A small window rested behind her desk that allowed light to shine in, revealing the amount of dust floating through the air.
"Praetor Dice?" I asked.
"What is it, beneficiarii?" She didn't even look up from her reading.
"Decanus Horreo wants to know if the unit papers are ready."
"They are not. Now leave me b- wait," she looked up at me with her purple eyes. "Did you say Horreo or Sol?"
"Um, Horreo, Miss."
"No. Come back around the sixteenth hour."
"Yes Miss."
I looked over at the musical machine, the large cone looming over a rotating disk topped with a needle.
"May I ask a question, Miss?"
"Is it important?"
"Uh, n-no... I wa-"
"Stop wasting my time, pony."
...
"Yes Miss."
Stars,
So bright,
So beautiful,
So evil.