POV: Princess Celestia

Day courts are usually a tedious affair, filled with ‘nobles’ taking up time trying to weasel out of this or that tax, or have crown funds allocated to self-serving projects citing those same taxes as their contribution to the royal coffers, when such time is meant to serve the common citizen, whom they bully and bluster their way through to bow and lick my horseshoes in an attempt to gain favor.

I cheered internally when a messenger rushed up to one of my guards in the late afternoon to deliver an urgent missive, this being the only reason a messenger would interrupt court.

The current petitioner, another self-absorbed noble, paused with a strained, polite smile, as the guard approached my dias and stood at my side.

I leaned down to hear what he had to relay.

“The captain of the Ponyville Guard has sent word that there is a potential rogue construct currently residing with a young foal in her home.

“Though it claims to be acting in the foal's best interests, the guards have maintained a watch in fear of what it may do to the foal if provoked.

“It refused to comply with guards on site and demanded your presence for any further interaction.

“The mayor also gave a report of the construct's personality, insisting it has no desire to harm anypony, and that it believes it is acting in the filly's best interests.”

I took a breath, and announced, “My little ponies, I'm afraid a matter of great importance has arisen that requires immediate attention, as such, I'm sorry to say, day court is suspended until the matter has been resolved.”

I turned back to the guard at my side, “Prepare my carriage, we leave for Ponyville immediately.”

POV: Szarekh

I sat in the living room as the sun set, reading a magical manual covering the basics of casting, directing and power output of spells, while Harvest dozed quietly in my lap.

I had cooked a light dinner and sat with her as she ate, after which she insisted she introduce me to the world of magic and spellcraft, an extraordinarily fascinating field of study. I immersed myself in literature on the subject and if I had a question Harvest would have, if not the answer, a guide that held it.

It was mid evening when, once more, there was a knock at the door.

I gently shifted Harvest to the larger of the couches occupying the room, and shuffled down the hall to the front door.

I opened the door, ready to give the guard knocking a dressing down, when I came face to face with an alabaster face, framing a pair of magenta eyes, all contorted in a serious frown.

The mare, for this must be Princess Celestia, spoke, her voice grave and smooth, “Rogue construct, you are holding hostage one of my citizens, and have the temerity to demand my presence.

“Well, here I am, what do you want?”

Had I the ability, I would have grinned, instead I spoke with a genial tone, “Greetings, your Highness, I am Szarekh, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please come inside, though I will ask that you alone join me. Would you like some tea perhaps? I know several tricks that you may well enjoy.”

POV: Princess Celestia

It took a large amount of will to keep the surprise off my muzzle, as I had not expected so cordial a response.

Even more surprising was the size of this ‘Szarekh’, even hunched as it was it very nearly filled the doorframe, and its glowing eyes were levels with my own.

What unsettled me most, however, was the fact its face did not move, set as it was in a permanent scowl.

It turned and used a strange combination of its front and back limbs to make its way back into the house.

I hesitated for a moment before following and, as I set hoof inside I heard it call back to me without turning, “Do close the door behind you, quietly if at all possible, I do not wish to wake Harvest. Now come into the kitchen, that we may talk without disturbing her sleep.”

I followed once more into a small kitchen and watched as this strange construct went about the process of making tea.

“I am not a golem, for future reference,” the sudden statement making me jump, “I am what is called a Necron, a being of living metal.”

It set out a single cup at the table before pouring tea into it.

“Milk and sugar?”

I blinked, “Excuse me?”

It proffered a small pitcher of milk and a saucer of sugar cubes, “Would you like milk or sugar in your tea?”

“Oh, milk and two sugars, please.”

It dropped two cubes of sugar, stirring them in before pouring the milk into the still swirling tea.

It placed the tea in front of me and settled on the other side of the table, waiting silently as I sipped the tea.

My protective wards detected no poisons or toxins and the tea itself was rather pleasant, despite being an off-the-shelf blend.

I placed the cup back in its saucer and addressed the ‘Necron’, “You demanded my presence to negotiate the release of your hostage.”

“Hmm?” it cocked its head, “Oh that. Harvest has been free to leave my presence since I returned her to the town.

“I simply found that the town guard was beyond reason in this matter and ignored my side of the story, listening only to the narrative woven by a deranged mare who is by all accounts a violent xenophobe.”

“That is a very serious accusation. Rainbow Dash has been an integral part of this town for almost three years and has shown herself to be reliable and steadfast in her duties.”

It shrugged its shoulders, “She also attacked me unprovoked, twice. The first time I humored her and cushioned the impact when she struck me.

“The second time she tried the same maneuver, Harvest was in the midst of a severe panic attack. As such I was in no position, nor did I feel inclined to spare miss Dash the price of her own arrogance. As a mentor of mine once said; ‘stupid should hurt,’ in essence, those that do not think should suffer for it. A harsh sentiment, I know, but one I agree with.

“As Rainbow Dash learned, while I may look brittle, I assure you, there is very little on this world that could even give me pause.

“Of course, I understand if you doubt my word, but what reason do I have to be anything but truthful?”

My brow creased, irritation coursing through my veins, “I will have this conversation put to record and Rainbow Dash shall be interrogated again to find the truth. But, I must ask for the sake of my little ponies, what are your intentions here? What do you want?”

It chuckled, “You make me sound so very sinister. My intention for the foreseeable future is to watch over young Harvest Moon, as such my actions will always be in her best interests.”

It looked at its hands before turning its gaze back to me.

“She has already lost her family once, do not take what little hope she may have of building a new one.”

It's tone was pleading and I began to realize that this was no simple golem or automaton, it was a living mind housed in a massive metal frame.

POV: Szarekh

I watched the princess yawn slightly, noting the clock above the fridge indicating that we were well into the evening, “Your Highness?” I prompted.

“Yes?”

“Would you like to stay the night? I know it is not to the royal standards, but Harvest would love to meet you,” I offered. “Besides that, the hour grows late, and you traveled a long way to be here, the least I can do to make up for the inconvenience is to offer some small hospitality.

I imagine your guards will have little trouble resting in the local barracks and I swear upon my ancestors, no harm will come to you in my presence.”

She fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment, before a gentle smile graced her features, “I would be remiss to turn down one who has so graciously opened their home to me. Allow me a moment to inform my guards of the situation and to interrogate Rainbow Dash in the morning.”

“By all means, do what you must. In the meantime, I shall prepare the guest room for you. If I have not finished by the time you are done with your guards please wait for me in the living room, from the door it is the first door to the left. Thank you for agreeing to this, I am certain Harvest will be elated to meet you.”

With that I made my way through the house, leaving the princess to relay the news to her guards.

Author's Note

Here's another one for you!

As always, tell me what you think of this one, if there's anything you feel I could do better, or if you have an idea for something I could do in the future or to improve what I've already published.

Also, thank you to all of you for the incredible feedback I've gotten from you so far, it's more that I ever expected.