”Ave ad Solem,
Regina nostra dea, Caelestia,
Lucifer, Fugatrix tenebrae.
Sit semper luceat lux vestra,
Et quia omnis amor Equestria”

White robes with gilded hems, and a crown of gold upon his brow, High Priest-Regent Stellar Ray smiled down on the mass of ponies below him as he finished the daily prayer. He looked at them, as they stared out at the glimmering sunrise, the beams of light shooting through the clouds in an impressive display.

Fools would probably go blind, eventually. It was fine, though, as long as they continue to worship the figure of Celestia, he could remain in power.

As mass ended and the noble ponies of Canterlot went about their business, Stellar Ray looked at himself in the mirror in his private chambers. He had to hold the Noon Court in a few hours, but until then he was, mostly, free. The robes matched his gleaming white coat, and offset the sunflower yellow mane and tail that poked out from under them. His bright blue eyes spoke of innocence, and the beauty of a summer sky.

Which was perfect, so far as he was concerned. The myth of Celestia, the all powerful Goddess-Queen of Equestria, had put him, and his family before him, on this throne, and it was best that he have a visage that matched the purity one would expect of a stallion who spoke the words of a Solar Deity. Whether there was any truth to the fable, he knew not, nor did he care. If Celestia ever had lived, she was long dead by now. But simple minded ponies still bowed and scraped, attended Church every Sunday, and would follow along with anything and everything the Solar Church told them to do.

It was this fervent belief that had led to the Church’s first High Priese, his own ancestor, being named Regent of the Equestrian Throne, almost three hundred years ago, and it still hung on and continued now. Money, power . . . everything a pony could want, at the snap of a finger or whispered word. And it was all his. And he would do whatever it took to keep it.

A small cough drew his attention to Stoic, his assistant, the only pony in the Kingdom who knew his master’s heart, and who lived to serve his whim.

“Yes, what is it?” Stellar demanded, and Stoic approached, his grey fur and darker grey mane and tail making him seem the epitome of boring and bland as he stopped and bowed by Stellar’s right side. “Your Majesty, I have the briefing for your meetings today, at the Noon Court. Would you like me to read them to you?”

Stellar sighed. This was the part of this position he would rather do without, if he had his way. However, it was necessary if he wished to remain in control, and he saw it as a fair trade off. “Very well.”

The emotionless pony bowed again, and then stood, staring off in the middle distance as he spoke. “The ambassador’s from Yakyakistan are here, seeking aid to stop the raids on their coast from the ponies of the Hebridles Islands.”

Stellar snorted, waving his hand. “They goad those barbarians into raiding them, every year, and then want to come whining to us about it. Go on.”

“The Prince of Griffinstone is here to discuss the agreement for free trade of non-Equestrian work force materials.”

“You mean he wants to know if he can move slaves across my borders. Pah, and, what else?”

“The Commander of the Solar Guard has a report on the Cult of the Moon. They’ve been causing trouble on the fringes of the Everfree, recently.”

“Are they still looking for that blasted castle?”

“That is what Commander Dive believes, sire.”

“Fools. I suppose I must speak with him in private. Let them look, and the forest will claim them. I see no need to become concerned about a bunch of mindless sycophants searching for a nonexistent castle of their mythical Night Mare. Still, we must keep the commoners from learning of it, and continue to make a good show of dealing with the Cult where ever we can.”

“Of course, sire, I shall let the Commander know you’d like a word with him, after the Court has concluded.”

“Very good, Stoic. Anything else?”

“The Abyssinian Ambassador is here. Their recent troubles with the Hippogriffs have taken a turn for the worse. An incursion from Mount Aris was mounted a month ago, and the felines are finding it hard to push them back.”

Stellar walked over to the window, leaning on the frame, looking out to the southern horizon. The sun’s light fell over his features, painting them a warm, golden color, at odds with the cold, calculating look in his eyes. “Hmm. Why are the hippogriffs pushing so hard? It’s not like them.”

“Rumour has it that times are hard at Mount Aris, they are finding it difficult to feed and house all of their populace. Perhaps they are pushing so hard to help ease the stress at home.”

Stellar remained silent, thinking. He found it to be good practice, to be silent and think, as often as possible. Let others talk themselves into a tight spot, or perhaps even think that they won an argument or discussion with him. Truth was, he learned from everything that was said or done around him, something of use, or value. He had spies everywhere, and agents ready and willing to carry out his orders without question.

In his world, knowledge was power, and he wanted it all for himself.

“Stoic, send word. I want an agent here by sunset. I need to know everything that is happening in the south, why the hippogriffs are being so aggressive and what that bitch of a feline queen intends to do about it.”

Stoic bowed, and saw himself out. Stellar went back to his thoughtful silence, his cunning mind sorting through plans and possibilities until it was time for him to put on the mask of somepony who cared, and go down to the Noon Court.

Knowledge was power, and power shared was power lost. Let his enemies think that they had knowledge, while he kept it all for himself.

ARC I: A Long, Winding Road

Author's Note

Note that the Latin at the beginning of this chapter is copied from Google Translate. Blame any problems on that. If you spot any, feel free to let me know, along with the correct word or phrase, and I will fix it.