The Founders of Harmony

Founders of Harmony

Book 1: World of Chaos

Chapter 3: The Horn is Mightier than the Sword

“Father, where are we going?” Celestia asked for the third time that morning. She walked closely behind her father, followed by Starswirl and Luna.

“I told you, it's a surprise,” Bolt said smiling excitedly. Celestia looked back at Luna, who shrugged, just as puzzled.

“Well this is the artisan's district, do you have an order you're picking up Mr.Bolt?” Starswirl asked.

“Shhhhhh,” Wild Bolt said, holding a finger to his mouth.

Celestia looked around, the first floors here were unlike the other districts, which had front doors right next to the street. But here almost all of the shops didn’t even have front walls much less front doors. Instead they went inward like a cave, and were several homes in length along the street. These little caves were full of ponies working on many different crafts using a variety of instruments. Further in though she could usually see walls and doors, where their wares were probably stored. Also while the shops she’d seen in the other district appeared independent with mismatched offerings, each shop in this district was dedicated to a specific trade. Pottery, glasswork, carpentry, brewing, leather working, and finally blacksmithing, where they stopped.

At the front of the smithing area sat a young earth pony at a wrought iron desk. He looked up from a ledger as they approached.

“Morning, how can I help you?” He asked.

“Picking up an order,” Wild Bolt said excitedly.

“Name?”

“WILD BOLT YOU OLD SON OF A HARPY!” Rumbled a deep but distinctly feminine voice. From further back in the forge strode an enormous Earth Pony Mare. Her fur was bright red like the fires all around, and her short cropped mane and tail as black as the piles of coal waiting to fuel those flames. She wore a thick leather smock overtop a sleeveless tunic. Around her waist was a thick belt from which dangled at least dozen different shaped hammers and tools. On her arms were a pair of smoke blackened gloves which went up to her elbows. She pulled off her right glove to reveal a black diamond wreathed in flames as her Cutie Mark. She grasped Wild Bolt hand and gave a hearty shake.

“Good to see you too Fire Strike,” He said smiling.

“I was starting to wonder if you’d make it this year,” Fire Strike looked over to Celestia and Luna “AH! And these must be the lucky ladies!”

“That’s right. Celestia, Luna, this is my old friend Fire Strike, back during the war she helped us maintain our weapons,”

“What I did, was make your squadron some of the finest weapons anypony could ask for, and you lot returned with scraps I had to smelt back together with spit and a wish,” Fire Strike said smiling wryly. Wild Bolt shrugged.

“Our weapons got more use because we cut through the most enemies, we were the best, couldn’t be helped,” Wild Bolt said smugly. FireStrike chuckled as she replied.

“That you did. Well let’s head to the back,” Celestia and Luna looked at each other again in puzzlement as they followed. Passing through the forge Celestia saw smiths working on all kinds of things. In fact weapons appeared to be a relatively small percentage of what was being made. Door latches, nails for construction, cooking pots, utensils and-Celestia stopped in her tracks as she saw the Blue Stallion she’d locked eyes with yesterday, who she could now see was a Pegasus. He was dressed as a guard and standing with another soldier by a smith, who was attaching a worn looking spear head to a new wooden pole. He looked to his side and his face lit up when he saw Celestia, he awkwardly raised a hand in greeting, which she returned.

“Come on Tia, you’re falling behind,” Luna called back.

“Oh, um, right, coming,” Celestia said tearing herself away, and losing sight of the Pegasus.

At the back of the forge there was a special area where weapons were being tested on dummy targets and a small sparing pit where ponies tested the weapons against other weapons. Past this was a large iron door, Fire Strike pulled out a key which hung around her neck and unlocked it.

“Just a minute now,” she said entering. When she reemerged, Celestia and Luna gasped. In each of her massive hands, Fire Strike held a pair of weapons. In one a kite shield painted white with a yellow sun in the middle, and a striking hand and a half longsword sheathed in a white leather scabbard. In the other was a spear with a dark wooden shaft and a shining steel winged tip, along with a large, domed, circular shield painted with a crescent moon. “May they serve you well,” Fire Strike said holding the weapons out to Celestia and Luna.

“They’re magnificent!” Celestia exclaimed taking the sword and shield. Examining them more closely she could see the sword handle was wrapped in the same white leather of the scabbard and on either side of the pommel was carved an image of the sun. “Master Fire Strike these are the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much!” Celestia said worshipfully.

“Well your parents did pay me well, and ya took so long to pick them up I decided to give em a personal touch,” Firestrike said grinning proudly.

“Luna what are you waiting for? You have to feel them, it's almost like…” Celestia paused mid sentence, then, setting her shield down, she grabbed the scabbard and pulled out the sword, its shining blade reflecting the light of the many fires around, making the sword look as though it was made of flames “like it's alive,”

“Oh...yes,” Luna had been hesitant to take her new weapons. “They are rather extraordinary,” she said. “But how did you know what our cutie marks looked like?”

“Well because I told her,” Wild Bolt said. “So how do you two feel about a sparring match, its been awhile.”

“Oh yes, that sounds delightful!” Celestia said.

“Right over here ladies,” Fire Strike said motioning for them to follow. “We have a place to test our works,” She led them to a shallow, circular ditch that was a bit larger than their sparring room back home.

“Celestia, put a barrier spell on your sword and Luna’s spear, these are real weapons, and the way you two spar someone’s liable to lose a limb if we’re not careful,” Bolt said as they approached.

“Oh, I could do that,” Starswirl said piping up suddenly. He outstretched his hand and his horn glowed and Celestia’s sword was engulfed in white light before it vanished just as quickly, having seemingly done nothing. Curiously Celestia tried to press a finger to her sword but was stopped by an invisible barrier an eighth of an inch around the whole blade.

“Oooooh, neat,” Celetisa said amused. Starswirl did the same with Luna’s spear tip.

“Alright girls, ready yourselves,” Bolt said, and the sisters took up position on opposite sides of the pit, “And….BEGIN!”

Starswirl stood bewitched as he watched the sisters duel. They had begun slowly, the weight of their new weapons made them a little apprehensive, especially Celestia. She seemed distracted, like part of her mind was elsewhere. Several times she glanced over her shoulder like she was looking for something she’d misplaced, then turned back to Luna and regarded her like Starswirl would often regard his grandmother when she gave him a particularly obtuse riddle to deduce. Luna noticed this and had a smug grin on her face as she used the superior mobility her wings granted to out maneuver Celestia, never attacking from the same angle for more than a few seconds. At last Luna got behind her sister and seemed poised for a decisive blow.

But Celestia’s horn glowed, then her entire body, and she pushed herself out of Luna’s path. As she moved herself magically, Celestia did a kind of dance like spin and swung her sword around to strike Luna from behind as she flew past. But Luna pulled up, narrowly dodging the blow. She landed on the other side of the ring, looking at her sister with grim exasperation, almost offended at the audacity of Celestia’s power to mimic flight. Celestia chuckled loudly at this and shrugged.

This seemed odd to Starswirl. The two had clearly been sparring with each other for years, it seemed unlikely this would be the first time Celestia would employ such a tactic. It was almost as if….no that was impossible.

The duel went on for just a minute or two more. Time after time, Celestia would almost let Luna land a hit, before she spirited herself away with an airy laugh. At last Luna got so frustrated, she made a foolishly aggressive thrust that let her sister knock her spear out of her hand. In shock Luna immediately raised her shield, which was exactly what Celestia wanted. Glowing brighter than before, Celestia launched herself, shield first, like a bolt from a ballista. The shields made a loud gong like sound as the crashed together and Luna was knocked to the ground under her shield. Celestia planted a hoof firmly on Luna’s shield, pinning her beneath it, and pointed her sword down at Luna’s face.

“Not bad Lu, nearly had me,” Celestia said grinning widely. Luna squirmed under her shield, its weight more apparent than ever now. She ceased her vain effort and looked up at her sister.

“I suppose I underestimated your ability to flaunt your magnificence at every possible opportunity,” Luna droned humorlessly, narrowed eyes leering at Celestia from an embittered face.

“Oh Luna, I’m only minding Father’s teachings and not relying on stale tactics,” Celestia said sarcastically, sheathing her sword and stepping off of Luna so she could offer her a hand. Some of the bitterness faded from Luna’s face, and she let Celestia help her up.

“But don’t think dear sister that your enemy won’t learn and adopt your technique into their own strategies,” Luna said smiling wryly.

“I’m sure they will learn, in time,” Celestia said, patting Luna on the forehead, where Unicorns usually have their horns. This also seemed odd to Starswirl, but he figured it was a personal joke the sisters shared.

“I know I learned a thing or two,” a new voice said. Celestia’s heart skipped a beat when she turned around and saw the handsome blue Pegasus boy from yesterday. He was even more impressive up close. He was a few inches taller than Celestia and had broad shoulders to match. His arms were so thick they looked like they might bust out of his chainmail shirt if they got any larger. His helmet was off now and she could see how thick his golden yellow mane was and how well it complimented his soft handsome face.
“Hello, I’m Thunder Gale, Pleased to meet you,”
“Oh uh, hi, I’m Celestia, you watched the fight?”
“Yes, you were incredible, I’ve never seen anyone fight like that before, are you new to the city?”
“Just arrived yesterday actually, I think I might have seen you?”
“You were on the wagon right? Your eyes were so wide they looked as though they’d pop right out,” He joked.
“Did they really?” Celestia chuckled, “I was just so amazed by it all. I’ve lived my whole life with just my sister and parents, and when I saw everything, I suppose couldn’t help but look a little foolish,”
“No, you didn’t look foolish, just a little silly, just kind of silly I guess, in a pretty way, but there’s nothing wrong with that, if we never surprised life would get...boring” Gale said awkwardly looking away for a moment, not entirely sure what he was saying. But Celestia didn’t mind and just chuckled again.
“Thank you, and if I recall you were setting out some bread to cool right?”Celestia asked.
“Yes that was me. My guard training is usually in the morning, then I help my family with their bakery in the afternoon,”

“Oh really, do you enjoy it?” Celestia asked.

“You really gonna just let this happen Bolt?” Fire Strike said, elbowing Wild Bolt as they watched Celestia and Thunder Gale talk from the other side of the pit, “Most fathers are awful protective of their daughters at that age,” Wild Bolt just laughed under his breath.

“Look at her Strike, what am I supposed do? At the rate she’s turning heads someone’s gonna break their neck before the festival starts. Besides she’s a smart girl, she’s mastered everything Ebony and I have taught about surviving out there, I trust her judgement. It’s his father who should be worried.”

“I’d expect nothing less,” Fire Strike laughed in replay, patting Bolt on the back, “By the way, how is our old Rose doing?” At this Wild Bolt’s grin faded. He shook his head.
“I’ll tell you later when I bring the old crew over for the festival,” he said smiling faintly.
“I’ll hold ya too it,”

Starswirl watched all this, frozen in place. It was as though when he’d first seen Celestia
yesterday, he’d taken one extremely deep breath and had been holding it in since. Then someone had taken a straw and sucked out all that air at once, and his oxygen starved muscles were now unable to move as he watched them. That look in Celestia’s eyes, it was the same look he saw mares and stallions his age give each other, when he walked through the city and watched others from a distance. That look, half blushing, talking about nothing, and having the time of their lives regardless. The same look mares and stallions gave when they danced together at the festivals, before slipping away to some dark corner of the city to do...things. He didn’t understand it before, he didn’t understand it now, and he didn’t understand the indignant, self-righteous fury, kindling in his chest.

“So is your family moving here?” Thunder Gale asked.

“Oh no, were just here a few weeks for the festival,”

“Oh...that’s too bad,” Gale said trying very hard to not look instantly deflated.

“Yes my mother said she’s always wanted to, but there isn’t enough room for our family,”

“That’s true, it’ll be a few more years before they finish the new district. If your family does end up moving here later, you should think about joining the guard,”

“Really, me, join the the guard?” Celestia asked surprised.

“Of course!” Gale responded enthusiastically “with the way you fight, there’s no doubt. And if you volunteered, it might give your family a chance of getting into the new district early!”

“Wow, really!” Celestia asked excited.

“Really!” A new voice said right before a helmet was shoved down onto Thunder Gale’s head...backwards. “And the first thing you should know is that guards are required to wear their helmets at all times when on duty,”

“AHK! GUST!” Thunder Gale’s voice was muffled as he tried to turn the helmet to its proper orientation. Celestia couldn’t help but giggle a bit.

“Sorry miss I hope my little brother wasn’t bothering you,”

“Oh no” Celestia giggled a bit more, “Not in the slightest,”

“Then I apologize for breaking up a friendly conversation. But our commander is going to shave our wings for arrow fletching if we don’t get this delivery back to the barracks before noon. Isn’t that right Gale?”

“Gaah!” Thunder Gale finally got his helmet straight, “Yes that’s right GUST!” he said to his brother with a face twisted with annoyance which melted into embarrassment as he looked back to Celestia, “Sorry Celestia, we really do have to go,”

“I understand, maybe I’ll stop by when you’re baking and we can talk without you needing your helmet,”

“UH yeah,” Thunder Gale said shocked and elated, “Uh My shift is over at 4, then I go back to help my family and-” he was cut short as Gust grabbed him by the mane and started to drag him back towards the front of the shop.

“District 7, south west side, bout half way down. Just follow the smell of burning bread,” Gust said clearly enunciating.

“That was one time!” Thunder Gale protested as he was dragged away out of sight. Celestia giggled, waving as they disappeared.

“So, was that a handsome stallion?” Luna asked dryly, suddenly beside Celestia.

“Oh Luna! Why yes, yes he was,”

“If you say so,” Luna said shrugging.

“Making new friends already?” Wild Bolt said coming up behind them.

“OH Father! Yes, yes...his name is Thunder Gale, he’s a guard, but his family has a bakery so he invited me to visit later, If that’s ok. Is it ok? I’m curious to see how other ponies bake bread here and-” Celestia was nearly jumping off her feet when Bolt placed a hand on her should laughing.

“Sunshine, its fine, Starswirl was going to show you around the city while I take Luna to the Aviary remember?”

“Right right, of course,” Celestia replied calming down.

“So feel free to see your new friend later, just be back by six, I’ll need your help with dinner,” He said winking. “Oh and we’ll leave your weapons with Firestrike for now until we head home ok,”

“Yes sir,” Celestia said beaming. Weapons returned, Celestia pranced over to Starswirl. “So Starswirl, where are we going first?” She asked enthusiastically. He jumped a bit at how close she got so quickly.

“W-Well, what did you want to see?” He asked feigning calm.

“Actually I was wondering about some of the other artisans in this district,” Celestia asked as she led the way, and her supposed guide followed.

‘Poor boy, doesn’t stand a chance’ Wild Bolt thought to himself, before turning back to Luna, who looking at the ground, face obscured. While Luna liked to keep her mane cut short (At least compared to Celestia) she always kept her bangs long, using them to hide her eyes when she didn’t feel like talking to anyone. Like clouds at night hiding a bright moon.

“Hey,” He said kneeling a bit to be at eye level with her, “Anybody home? Hello?” he teased using a finger to part her hair like a curtain. Luna giggled, pushing his hand away,

“Father! Stop!” she said a bit embarrassed now.

“Fine fine, I’ll stop, but you gotta answer a question,”

“What?” Luna said confused.

“Are you doing ok Luna? Don’t think I haven’t noticed how often you’ve been hiding since we got here yesterday,” Bolt asked giving her a serious but compassionate look. Luna glanced nervously around at all the ponies working, still not comfortable with just how many there were.

“I’m fine father, really,” She said looking him in eye.

“Ok,” He said nodding, unconvinced, but willing to wait till she was ready, “so you still wanna go flying today?” he asked. At this Luna genuinely perked up.

“Oh right! Yes of course!”

“You forgot didn’t you?” he said as he began to walk back towards the street.

“What! Father I’d never!” She said, rushing to catch up with him.

End Chapter 3