Serving His Empress
~or~
How Shining Armor Avoided a Crushed Pelvis by the Empress Daybreaker

Part the Third

The sun was dim as Daybreaker reflected on the actions of the stallion laying beside her. Centurion Armor was… an enigma of sorts. The stallion himself was barely past twenty, hardly even an adult for all intents and purposes, and yet, he had succeeded in doing more for her legions in two days than most of her generals had done in their entire careers. She shifted in place, and let out a soft moan as she felt Shining’s shaft slide around inside of her. The alicorn empress smiled to herself. Last night had been… particularly busy, making up for lost time as it were.

Shining groaned, moving around as he started to wake up. Daybreaker watched as the white and blue unicorn slowly came to, her expression amused at his sudden realization that he was still buried balls deep in her, and that he had his forelimbs wrapped around her middle. “Umm… good morning, my Empress,” Shining said after a moment’s hesitation.

“Good morning to yourself, my Centurion,” Daybreaker purred, spreading a vast wing over him as she turned to brush her cheek against his. “I gather you slept well?”

Shining nodded, folding his limbs under him to prepare to leave. “Of course, Your Radiance,” he answered. “How could I not? Sleeping with you is well, pardon me for saying this, but it is divine.” Daybreaker smirked playfully at him.

“Flatterer. But, at the least, you still have good taste.” She let him get up off her before going to stand up herself. Once she was sure that he was looking, Daybreaker took her time actually getting up, stretching and extending her limbs in several… provocative poses that made Shining gulp. Even after the wild night the pair had, Shining still felt himself begin to harden in response to his Empress’s body teasing him with her curves and divine form. “Now, my dear, as much as I would love for you to continue ravishing me, I’m afraid we both have duties to attend to.”

“Of course, Your Radiance,” Shining quipped, thankful for some semblance of normal as he went to get his armor back on. “I’ll be ever at your service in whatever capacity you desire.”

Daybreaker raised an almost delicate eyebrow in amusement. “Careful now Centurion,” she told him. “That’s a rather… broad promise you’re making there. Many have said that same thing, and many of them failed to live up to that expectation.”

“Well, if you can pardon my frankness, they were all likely overachieving blowhards,” Shining retorted before freezing in place.

“Oh?” Daybreaker walked over to him, brushing her side against his as she flicked her tail in his face. “Do tell me how so?”

“Well My Empress, I would only dare to assume that they were seeking to curry as much favor as they could in your eyes to lord such stature over other ponies,” Shining said in a frantic scramble. “And so, in an ever escalating contest of stupidity and dick measuring, made boasts that they knew they couldn’t keep, but had to try in order to save face, or lied about doing it and took credit anyway.”

“Like you in a few years, my Centurion?”

Shining shook his head. “No, Your Radiance. I’m just a simple soldier, I go where I’m told and I do what I must to ensure the success of your will and the mission.” Daybreaker took a breath, looking him over.

“Interesting… very well then. You are dismissed for now Centurion. I will call upon you when the time comes.” Shining finished getting dressed and bowed.

“Of course Your Radiance.” He turned around and exited her room, leaving Daybreaker alone as she thought on what to do with him. Simply sending him back into combat was not going to happen, what with his luck, and the fact that she gifted him a phoenix feather last night. No, she was going to have to be subtle about this. But then, something clicked in the monarch’s head.

Shining had mentioned that he thought that ponies before him had tried too hard to curry favor with her. That in itself was very much true, she wasn’t going to deny that. But it was the part where he mentioned the ever escalating (and oft times to her, hilarious) show of dick measuring that nobles did that got her thinking. She trotted around her room, deep in thought when she bumped into a book. Her eyes glanced at the cover.

Legal Practices and Law of the Crown City of Canterlot, Volume 1.

Daybreaker grinned. “Oh, this… this will be fun.”

~~~

“I gather you had a… good night with the Empress?”

Shining sighed, looking over his shoulder at Mahiri. The pair were in his new quarters within the barracks of Canterlot, and while the room was still relatively spartan, Mahiri had been doing what she could to make it less clinical in appearance. “Would it bother you if I said yes?” he asked her, the zebra mare trotting over to his side and resting her head on his neck.

“Shining, what you do with her is… between you and her,” she commented. “All I ask is that you never forget me.” Shining rolled his eyes, shaking his head with a smile.

“How could I ever forget about you?” he said softly, nuzzling her. Mahiri hummed appreciatively as the pair stood together in silence. “I love you, Mahiri. And Harmony as witness, I’m not going to abandon you. Not even if Daybreaker threatened to incinerate me.”

The zebra smiled, muttering something in her native language. Shining still didn’t really understand it, but he did catch ‘luck’ and ‘Earth Mother’ in there, and he assumed that it was a good thing. “So, Mahiri… about the foal…”

“Mmm?”

“I was wondering,” he continued, walking over to their bed and sitting down on it. “What are we going to name them? I mean, I’m pretty sure that a zebra name would be better, and-.” Shining was silenced when Mahiri put a hoof over his mouth, her expression deadpan as she looked into his eyes.

“And why are you assuming that we are naming the foal with a zebra name?” she inquired. “To make them stand out in this gilded cage of a city?” Shining shook his head.

“What? Tartarus no, I just thought that, you know, if they do end up raised here, that… that they should have a connection to their mother’s culture beyond just the pattern of their coat,” he answered. “I know how ponies here are, and frankly, they have their noses so far up it’s a miracle they haven’t bent over backwards to smell their own asses yet.” Mahiri chortled at the rather humorous description as Shining continued. “But our foal should be proud of who they are. Both as a pony, and as a zebra.”

“And I recall why I fell for you, my Centurion.” Mahiri pressed herself against Shining’s side, smiling. “You are a good pony. Never let anypony tell you otherwise.”

The stallion chuckled as he put his foreleg over her shoulders and brought her into a hug. “Well, I’ll do my best in that regard,” he promised. “No guarantees though. And if I do end up an ass… please, tell me.”

“Oh, on that, I can guarantee,” Mahiri countered. “I’ll not have my stallion become a monster.” Shining’s face beamed at her.

“Thank you. Now… since we’re already on the bed,” he offered, rubbing his love’s shoulder in slow, gentle circles. “And I’m very much not needed on duty for quite some time…”

Mahiri laughed, even as she slowly pushed him onto the bed fully on his back, the mare straddling him playfully. “I would think you exhausted after a night with your Empress?” she asked. Shining leaned up and kissed her lips.

“Well, the Empress is one thing, but… I have an equally beautiful mare on top of me right now, and I love her very, very much,” he told her.

“Mmm, good stallion,” the zebra said, leaning in closer to kiss him again. “You may yet have some… ‘fun’ today.” Shining felt himself getting hard at the implications, and drew her in for another kiss. Mahiri giggled, indulging him as they both held their kiss for as long as possible before breaking apart for air.

“Mahiri, I-,” Shining began before the door to their quarters was knocked. “Oh Faust dammit,” he swore as the door sounded off again. “Who is it?” he called out.

“Pardon the interruption Centurion Armor, but you have been requested in the Grand Hall by the High Adjudicator,” the messenger said through the door. Shining was confused now, a sentiment shared by Mahiri.

“The High Adjudicator? I wasn’t aware that the High Adjudicator had authority over the Empress’ legions,” he said, even as Mahiri groaned in irritation, getting off of him as the mood was clearly dead.

“I’m sorry sir, but that’s all I was told,” the messenger declared. “The High Adjudicator wishes to speak with you in the Grand Hall today as soon as possible.”

Shining sighed. “Of course. I will be there soon,” he said. He heard the messenger depart, the clack of hooves on the stone floor growing quieter as he looked back to Mahiri. “Duty calls I’m afraid.”

“I only ask you do not make yourself too much of a fool, please?” Mahiri asked. “I’m too fond of you to simply have you leave my life due to stallion-fueled stupidity.”

“Of course, love,” Shining replied, putting on his armor once more before departing their room. Travelling down the halls, Shining passed by serving ponies and fellow soldiers alike as he made his way to the Grand Hall, which served as one of the Empress’ audience chambers. Although nowadays she much preferred the resplendent Solar Hall to any other, leaving the Grand Hall the domain of the High Adjudicator.

Turning a corner, he saw the bronze doors to the Grand Hall in sight, a pair of guards standing at attention. As he approached, the guards looked over to him, and noticing his uniform, stood up just a touch straighter. “As you were, guardsponies,” he told them, stopping in front of them as they saluted. “I’m here to see the High Adjudicator.”

“Of course, Centurion,” the one on his left said. “The High Adjudicator is just inside.” The guards both stepped aside, opening the doors so that Shining could enter. He passed by them, and had to suppress the urge to whistle at the interior of the Grand Hall. Like much of the castle, the walls and floor were marble, off-white in color, but where the Solar Hall was gilded in gold wherever possible, the Grand Hall simply let its tapestries and stained windows of the valiant efforts of the three pony tribes of Equestria speak of its grandeur for itself. And there at the head of the hall, sat the High Adjudicator.

The pony didn’t look up from her papers for some time, letting him approach in silence save for the scratches of her quill on the documents. Her hair was golden and slicked back into a professional pony-tail, contrasting sharply with her fair white coat. A richly adorned dress covered most of her figure, save for a slit in the sides which revealed her cutie mark, a gavel emblazoned over a crown. As he arrived on the dias in front of the pony’s desk she finally looked up, a bland stare greeting him as he met eyes with her.

“Ah yes, here we are. The Empress’ freshest muse. How nice to see you responded promptly to my summons. I would have figured you would be left comatose for the day after the no doubt thorough work you were put through last night pleasing our Finest Radiance.”

Shining held back the urge to blush as he nodded respectfully to her. “I serve the Empress,” he stated simply. “That is my duty, and I would be remiss if I failed to attend to any and all duties she assigns me as promptly as I can.”

To his surprise the pony smiled back at him deviously, a grin that was surprisingly intimidating from such an otherwise placid face. “Oh yes indeed, that is your duty, and as it happens she has passed down to me a new task for you to accomplish, one that I’m sure your vaunted skill and ability is perfectly suited for.”

He didn’t have a chance to respond to the barbed sarcasm before a set of papers was teleported onto his face, leaving him sputtering as he tried to clear his vision.

“I’ll be blunt, Centurion, I don’t have the time or patience to deal with teaching you the ways of government properly. I am far too busy to waste such effort on a toy stallion who will likely not last the year under our Empress’ tender mercies. Thus, she and I have come to an agreement. A trial by… fire as it were. You will learn the ways of governance by understanding it from the roots in your own study, and as such your task is this. Study the provided legal code, such as it is, and come up with a better, more robust, fairer, and more effective system for it. In two weeks.” She paused to let her words sink in, grinning at his panicked expression. “Is that understood, Centurion?”

Shining nodded. “I understand,” he said. “Now, before I am dismissed, am I allowed an advisor to assist me in going over the legal code? Not that I object to our Empress’ will, but such as it is, I’m certain that the process would be far more effective if I was assistance in this manner. With your blessing of course, High Adjudicator,” he added, nodding to her.

The mare’s grin somehow, someway, grew even more predatory. “You misunderstand the purpose of this, fair Centurion. The goal isn’t to have you be taught how to deal with the mysteries of legalities. The goal is to see how well you figure it out for yourself using your own resources. The libraries are open to you, of course, so that you may find the written advice of other ponies likely long dead and gone, but don’t forget, they may be hideously wrong themselves, so trust the written word only as far as you dare.”

The mare paused in her work so that she could stand up across her desk to loom over him. “To be frank, young foal, the test here is to see how intelligent you are in your own right. To be skilled in combat is useful, to be skilled in bed is alluring, but to be skilled in the mind is real power. And anypony who seeks to serve the Empress to the best of her expectations will need to make use of that power to be respected. Or alive. Now, take what I have said, and my warnings, and go. After all… the clock is ticking, as it has since the day began. 13 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes to go.” She shooed him away with her hoof as she returned to her papers.

Shining nodded, bowing to her. “Then thank you for your time, High Adjudicator,” he said, standing back up and collecting the documents in his magic. “Fair fortune to you this day.” He turned away, heading to the door as he thought of what to do. While the library was a good start, diving into the complexities of Equestria’s legal code right out of the gate was a bad idea. And the High Adjudicator wasn’t going to give him an advisor to assist in the endeavor. A part of him was utterly terrified of the prospect.

But that part of Shining Armor was sent to the side as Shining Armor the soldier took over, and he began to rationalize what he needed to do. Objective: Streamline the Equestrian legal code within thirteen days. Problem: he was not versed in the Equestrian legal code. Solution: Learn the legal code using whatever assets he could utilize in the Royal Library, again, within thirteen days. He hummed to himself as he paused at the door, thinking to himself.

The High Adjudicator hadn’t given him an advisor… but she also hadn’t said anything about not hiring one either. With that in mind, Shining continued to leave the Grand Hall, heedless of the High Adjudicator pausing in her work to look at him as he left.

“If he lives through the next six months he might be useful,” she mused to herself as she turned to the side door. “Bring in the next one!”

~~~

Shining strode over to the closest advisor firm and entered, a little bell jingling above him to let the ponies inside know of a potential… customer. Shining was well aware of the reputation such ponies had, but at the moment, he had a job to do, and reputation or not, he needed the help. Standing by a desk, he waited patiently for a secretary to come over and assist him.

“Hello! How can I help you today?” the secretary asked, batting her eyes at him, hoping to throw him off guard. Shining though didn’t fall for it.

“Yes, I was curious to know if you had anypony on staff versed in general Imperial law,” he told her, lifting the stack of papers that the High Adjudicator had given him. “I was given this as a project, and I’m afraid that a lot of it is a bit advanced for me. Is there anypony on staff that you recommend?”

The secretary took one look at the papers, tilted her head in confusion and visibly gave up, shouting back, “Hey Word Twist, I’ve got a messy one for you!”

Shining’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw a stallion pop his head out, and he briefly thought that the High Adjudicator had teleported here, threw on a glamour spell, and was now trying to fuck around with him. Because the resemblance this stallion had to her was simply uncanny. At least… until he opened his mouth.

“Ah, a new client, excellent.” The stallion walked out and offered his hoof to Shining, who shook it. “Welcome, good sir. I see you are an officer in the Solar Guard, what can I do for a servant of our Great Sun?”

Shining gave him his best smile. “I would like a crash course in Imperial law,” Shining said simply. “But please, may we take this into your office? I’m sure it’s more legal that way than simply discussing business in a hallway.”

The stallion laughed, ushering him further inside. “You’d be surprised the places where legal work gets done. We advisors like daylight walks as much as anypony else.” The stallion let the way into his office, a simply decorated but professional room. The stallion sat himself behind his desk, folding his hooves on the wood. “Now, you said you needed to learn about Imperial Law? Can you give me some details on that, because there is very much to learn on that subject. My mastery can attest to that.” He waved to the lovingly framed document hung in its own special portrait on the wall behind him.

Shining took the papers and dropped them on Word Twist’s desk. “I need to learn enough about Imperial law to draft a possible replacement for it in thirteen days by order of the High Adjudicator and the Empress Herself. And this is all paperwork the High Adjudicator gave me as a reference,” he said simply, watching the other stallion’s reaction. “For now, only the basics. Lay it on me as if trying to explain it to a foal with no legal experience.”

The stallion’s eyes shifted back and forth between Shining and the documents, his expression hardening. “I see… so… my sister gave you this task, did she? She always was a demanding one.” He ignored Shining’s surprise at the revelation as the stallion took the papers in hoof. “Well to be frank, my good officer, it seems you have been given a snipe hunt of a task, one that would be difficult even for the likes of me to accomplish properly in the time allotted. And if you are truly as ignorant to legal code as you say you are… my goodness, we have our work cut out for us, don’t we?”

“Well, in that case, let’s be real here then,” Shining said. “We both know that one pony given a crash course in law can’t figure out a way to completely replace the current code. So, let’s focus on something… smaller, and more manageable. If we can replace a section of the law, then that gives what I assume is precedent to commit to further changes later on, right?”

“Oh yes, most certainly,” the advisor agreed. “However, that’s just the start, my friend. If we want to get this task done properly, then we need to go even further. And I would recommend starting with the most basic of laws, the stuff that governs nearly everything in general, and then building up from there.”

Shining nodded. “Of course. The basics first,” he agreed. “Now, I know that you have a rate, and I am willing to pay for the lessons in full, I just-.” Word Twist held up a hoof to silence him.

“I’ll do this for free.”

“What?!” Shining said in alarm. “Nononono, I’ll pay you, you deserve-.”

“Look,” Word Twist told him, cutting him off. “I’ve heard word that the Empress has a colt-toy that she fancies, and it looks like it’s you. If she’s given you this level of chicken shit to do, then she either wants you deader than fine ash, or she’s greatly impressed with you, and is trying to figure you out. Now, in the unlikely chance we succeed in getting something done in two weeks, you’ll get a bump in position. All I ask is that after you get that promotion, you refer whatever legal issues you or anyone you know has back to us for however long you’re still alive. Or until you terminate a contract with us, et cetera.” He chuckled. “That, and I want to see the look on my sister’s face when we get this done. THAT alone is gonna be worth my desk’s weight in bits.”

Shining took a moment to think on it and then nodded. “That… is agreeable. So, let’s get started then. From the top, basics of law.”

Word Twist smiled. “Of course pal, of course. So, to begin…”

~~~

Four days. Four days since Shining had started learning about Equestrian law, and the white-furred stallion was currently passed out on the bad, Mahiri holding him close to her as she rested. Her internal clock said that it was late in the morning, but without any windows, it was hard to tell just how true that was. Still, trusting her gut hadn’t done Mahiri too much ill, so she had to thank the Earth Mother for at least that much.

Shining groaned, shifting in his sleep. Mahiri smiled softly and wrapped her forelegs around the barrel of his chest, pulling him closer to her. Whatever had disturbed her stallion’s sleep, left him as he stilled, shifting closer to the heat of her body. The mare giggled softly to herself as she began humming a gentle tune to him. It was an old tune to be sure, one passed down from countless generations of mothers to their daughters, but it worked well enough in calming foal and stallion alike that Mahiri didn’t mind using it on Shining as he slept.

It was a few minutes later that Shining slowly drifted into wakefulness, blinking away the dredges of sleep from his eyes. “M’hiri?” he asked groggily.

“Shh, rest my love,” she cooed, putting her cheek in the crook of his neck as she held him tight against her. “Just rest, my dear Centurion.” Shining groaned, shaking his head even though he let his hoof drift over to hers to pull her closer.

“But I need to work now,” he mumbled. “Got ‘n empire to fix dear…”

Mahiri huffed. “Shining Armor, you can’t fix the entire empire on your own,” she chided softly. “Not unless you’re secretly an alicorn like your Empress.” She smiled at the small pout on his face as he finally looked over to her, the stallion’s ire muffled by his grogginess.

“Tha’s… not a fair comparison you know,” he quipped. The zebra smiled.

“Don’t care. I love you anyway.”

“Love you too.” Shining turned in place, kissing her gently as Mahiri closed her eyes, enjoying the soft touches of his lips on her. He kissed her for a few moments more before he pulled away, yawning widely much to her amusement. “Well, I suppose I have to get up at some point anyway, right?”

Mahiri nodded. “Of course. And I think that whatever it is that has you scurrying to an adviser at all hours of the day, can take a break today.” The pony groaned, but didn’t argue the point as he clambered out of their bed, shaking his head clear of any remaining mental cobwebs.

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” he commented, stretching himself out and popping a few joints back into place as she watched. “A bit of time outside, clearing my head would probably do me some good. Who knows, maybe I’ll get inspired or something, right?”

“Of course,” Mahiri agreed, getting off the bed herself at a slower pace. She paused, simply watching as Shining performed basic stretches to ensure he was as limber as possible for the stallion went to put on ‘light’ armor. “...please tell me you’re not going outside in that.”

“What?” Shining asked, confused. “It’s only armor!”

“And you are trying to relax,” Mahiri pointed out, trotting over to him to gently push a piece of armor away from him. “This… does not look relaxing.” Shining huffed.

“Mahiri, please,” he begged. “At least the chest plate?” Mahiri looked him over, eyes narrowed.

“...Fine. But ONLY that!” she ordered, pointing a hoof in his face as she turned away. “In the meantime, I shall be getting ready to go out!” Shining sighed, watching as his lover waltzed over into their small bathroom, his eyes lingering on her striped rear before he shook his head free of the temptation. The Centurion put on a lightly armored cuirass and strapped it on tightly on himself as he waited for Mahiri to finish up.

“So, any place you want to see while we’re out?” Shining asked her. “There’s the castle, there’s a few parks, uh, the market, umm, let me think here, umm…”

“The market? What’s that like?”

Shining paused, trying to think about it. “Well, it’s… busy I suppose,” he said. “I’ll be honest, I have very little experience actually going into the markets, my mother or somepony else always did the shopping, and then I got deployed to the savannah, and I met this beautiful mare who spoiled me in going to the market…”

“You flatter me,” Mahiri called out to him, the sound of running water echoing in the room before it was cut off. “But… I think I’d like to see a ‘proper’ market.” Mahiri stepped out of the bathroom, her coat glistening in the lantern light. Shining sucked in a breath, and the mare giggled at him. “Please?”

“I… okay,” Shining conceded with a smile. “A quick trip to the markets it is then.” Stallion and mare both left the small home together, walking through the winding corridors of the guards’ quarters before finally stepping out into the sun.

Mahiri let out a gasp of awe at the sight of Canterlot City before her. So many buildings, many far larger than the fort she had met Shining at were spread around the city. Parapets of gilded gold dotted the cityscape, even as pegasi weather teams manipulated the clouds to provide shade for the populace below, or to add water to reservoirs and aqueducts. Shining smiled at her, brushing against her.

“Still speechless huh?” he asked her.

Mahiri nodded. “It… it’s still more than I can imagine any settlement to be,” she admitted. “No zebra would think or say that a city can be on a mountainside, and yet, here we are, in a city among the heavens. My tribe would think this place an affront to the Earth Mother. I still do.” She paused, looking over and smiling at Shining happily. “But… I can make an exception for a special pony that I know.”

Shining laughed. “Good to know that I’m held in such high esteem!” he commented as the pair walked through the streets, many ponies giving Mahiri curious looks. “One of these days, I should introduce you to my parents! Oh, and Twilight! Oh Mahiri, you’d probably love her, she’s just the nicest filly on this side of Equestria!” He looked to her midsection, and then leaned over, whispering, “Though I think she’ll have some competition when this little one comes out.”

Mahiri smirked. “Well, hard to say now,” she said. “For all we know, the foal could be ugly.” Shining rolled his eyes.

“Nonsense! The foal will be handsome or beautiful regardless of what they look like!” he declared. “And that’s a fact!” The sounds of ponies chattering grew louder as they walked, the smells of fried hayburgers and other such foods adrift in the air as they approached the market. They rounded a corner, and Mahiri let out a soft gasp at the sheer size of the market before her.

All around the plaza, ponies chatted and traded, bargaining for lower prices, discussing the latest trends in their currency, an economic display of barely controlled chaos that reminded her suddenly of her home on the savannah. Shining tapped her on the shoulder. “Mahiri? You okay?”

She nodded, swallowing down a nervous lump in her throat. “Y-Yes,” she replied. “I’m just… I just remembered home is all.”

Shining looked over the market, his eyes going over the hustle and bustle before he sighed. “Oh. Well… If you want to head back, we can. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, or anything like that Mahiri.” The zebra smiled at him as she nuzzled his neck.

“And you are still a proper gentlecolt,” she told him. “No, I only just arrived here. It would be embarrassing for us to depart upon merely arriving. Now please, let us look around Shining! Please?”

“Okay, okay!” the stallion laughed aloud, letting his lover lead the way into the markets. Shining watched as Mahiri looked at everything with foalish wonder, her eyes wide in awe at the works of glassblowers, or when she stood by and listened to a mare playing a cello in the square. He watched in glee as Mahiri had her first taste of a properly made hayburger, laughing as she ordered a second… and then a third. Luckily, he managed to convince her not to devour a fourth, if only for the sake of their growing foal.

They were beginning to walk back to the castle when their good mood was abruptly popped in the most cruel way possible. And that was when some stallion dressed in cheap fabrics passed by Mahiri and groped her flank.

Mahiri’s hoof met the stallion’s face, and the warrior’s blow sent the pony flying back several gallops away before he hit the ground, sending passersby back as they gasped in fright. The zebra mare whirled about, shouting and snarling in her native tongue and Shining held her back with a foreleg.

“Mahiri, please, Mahiri, MAHIRI!” Shining shouted sternly, getting her attention. “Mahiri, please!”

“Radiance above, damn bitch near broke my nose!” the stallion complained, standing up and glaring at them. “I’ll have yer fookin’ head on a pike when I get the Guard here you striped whore!”

Shining’s gaze locked onto him, narrowing as he stood in front of Mahiri. “Sir, I AM with the Guard,” Shining announced, a part of him somewhat satisfied at the look of fear on the stallion’s face. “Now, do tell me what possessed you to grope this mare, and in public?”

The tall brute of a stallion looked Shining up and down and snorted, obviously unimpressed. “What, you with her hooflicker? Guess she needs somepony around to make sure she don’t go sucking off the wrong stallion and cause an incident. How’s about you keep the barracks slut out of sight, eh, ‘less you want to share the access.”

Shining took a deep breath, even as he wanted to send this stallion flying through a simple levitation spell. “Sir, again, we are in public,” he said as calmly as he could. “There is no need for you to use that kind of language here at all. Now, again, why did you grope her?”

“Shin-,” Mahiri started to say before she stopped herself, taking a deep breath. “Centurion Armor, I don’t think this stallion cares to listen to reason. I’d much rather just leave now.”

“Yeah, sure, run off back to the barracks,” the stallion taunted, snarling at her. “Hope they break your fucking throat and pussy til you’re so used up you can’t even wa-”

The stallion’s jaw was all but shattered as Shining’s back hoof connected, the Centurion finishing a spinning kick that was reinforced with a repulsion barrier spell enveloping his hoof. The stallion spun several times in place before his body was held in place by Shining’s magic, the white coated stallion’s patience finally at its end. “Sir, by authority of the Empress Daybreaker, and by the Code of Common Law, Section Five, Paragraph Twelve, I am placing you under arrest for harassment, and for disturbing the peace under Section Nine, Paragraph Twenty-Two, Sub-paragraph Two. How do you plead?”

The stallion couldn’t speak, as his mouth was so ruined by the kick that he was left spitting out blood, but the baneful glare he sent Shining’s way said plenty.

“Your plea has been duly noted,” Shining said, catching sight of a pair of Royal Guards galloping towards him. “Guardsponies, take this stallion to the dungeons, and get his jaw fixed.”

“For what reason?” one of them asked, leering at Mahiri.

Shining’s eye twitched. “Public harassment of a mare,” he stated, getting their attention again. “Disturbing the peace. Sexually harassing a pony under the protection of House Sparkle, and under the interest of Her Most Holy Radiance Herself, the Empress Daybreaker.” As Shining rattled off the charges, the guards faces fell increasingly fast, up to abject horror at the mention of Daybreaker. “Now will that be all, Guardsponies? Or will I need to seek out your commanding officers for wasting the time of a Centurion?”

“N-No sir!” the guard who hadn’t even looked at Mahiri stammered, taking the bloodied stallion in his own magic. “We-We-We’ll get this pony processed sir!”

“See that you do,” Shining snapped coldly, standing up straight. “And you will process this stallion properly, understood?”

“YES SIR!” the guards shouted.

“Dismissed,” Shining told them before focusing his attention on the crowds. “Everypony, please go about your business! There is nothing for you to see here, please go about your day!” The crowd looked around at each other nervously, but one look at Shining’s stern gaze sent most of them walking off to less intimidating venues. Soon, it was just Shining and Mahiri standing there, the mare shaking in place as Shining approached her. “Mahiri… are… are you okay?”

“I could have handled him,” Mahiri whispered, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. “I could have trampled that weak excuse of a stallion to the ground, why didn’t you let me take him down, I could have made sure he never touched another mare again, I-!”

“Mahiri, please, please, look at me!” Shining hissed, guiding her over to a bench to sit at. “Mahiri, my love, please, look at me!” The zebra grudgingly looked up at him, seeing the stallion let out a deep breath, his fury slowly bleeding out of him. “Mahiri, look. What that stallion did… was wrong. I’m not going to deny that, and for the most part, neither will the law. But unfortunately, the law is less clear when it comes to anypony who isn’t a native born Equestrian citizen. If I let you attack him, I’d have had to arrest you too, and… Mahiri, my love, I can’t… I WILL NOT let you step foot in a dungeon like that. Not while I have any control of the situation.”

“And you consider that under control?!” she snarled. “That fucker touched me Shining! In the savannah, I would have had his hoof!”

“Well we’re not in the savannah anymore!” he snapped. Silence hung like an executioner’s axe as both stopped to catch their breaths. “Mahiri… I… I’m sorry,” Shining said after a moment. “I… I didn’t… I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. I’m sorry.”

“No, Shining, please, don’t do this,” Mahiri told him, taking his hoof in her own. “I… I am clouded by anger, and I have failed to realize that… that I am the outsider here, in this city.” She sighed, slumping over and resting on Shining’s shoulder. “I thought… I thought that things would be different here, in your Empress’ capitol. I was wrong.”

Shining let her rest there, looking off into the distance before his gaze settled on the parapets of the Empress’ castle. “We were both wrong,” he said softly. “...but I still love you Mahiri. I always will. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll head back home.”

“And what of you?” she asked. “What of your task to fix the Empire?”

Shining’s gaze hardened as he continued to look at the castle. “It’ll get fixed… and I know just where to start.”

~~~

“We’re going to replace the laws surrounding servants, indentured workers, and slaves,” Shining told Word Twist hours later. “And we’re going to reform the standards of the Royal Guard.” Across the desk, the advisor looked at Shining in dumbstruck confusion.

“I… I mean okay, if you want to go there, we can go there. But are you sure that is going to be your focus for this project? I mean, there’s a lot of documentation and legal history to cover when it comes to those topics, particularly with slavery…” Twist looked at him shrewdly, poking a hoof at Shining as he asked, “What brought this up, might I ask? What got you on this train of thought?”

“My lover was groped in brought daylight and in public, by a stallion who should have been apprehended by the Royal Guard the moment that she cried out,” Shining said coolly. “She’s a slave, yes, but she’s… more than that to me. I know it’s selfish, but… I cannot let her live her life afraid to step outside because the populace thinks it safe to molest and defile her and others in her situation without repercussion.”

Word Twist contemplated this for a while, looking out the window as his hooves came together in front of his face. “Can you keep a secret, Centurion?”

Shining nodded. “Of course.”

“I despise slavery as an institution.” Twist turned to look at Shining, a pale flame of passion in the lawyer’s eyes. “I have spent a good part of my career taking on cases involving slaves, either the lawful trade of them or the unlawful abuse of them, to such a degree that I’m sure the reports would make you hurl buckets. I’ve seen what slavery does to beings, not just ponies, and have had ample opportunity to consider it from every angle possible. In that time, I have come to the simple conclusion that slavery as a practice is both morally repugnant for the removal of freedoms it involves and economically bankrupt and frankly stupid due to the short term gains leading to long term stagnation and demoralizing atmosphere. To be frank, Centurion, if it were in my power I would free every slave in Equestria and throw the majority of slave owners into prison for abuse of sapient rights!”

Twist paused, sighing, and fell back in his chair. “Sadly, I am not in a position of any real power. Instead I merely serve the powerful, work to grease their wheels of operation so that they may continue to more effectively run our country the way they see fit, without the slightest care for the iron hoof they grind into the faces of those who had the misfortune to be enemies of the state or merely in the way of the legions when a war was on. Now you tell me… how could we even begin to reform this corrupt system when our leader, bless her stellar heart, was the one who instituted it to begin with centuries ago?”

Shining was quiet for a few moments before he sighed. “Word Twist… it’s my turn to share a secret with you,” he said. “I was with the Empress, in her bed, when she asked me what had taken me so long to… woo my lover.” Word Twist nodded as Shining told his story. “I told her that… that had I simply just raped her, like every other soldier in my position, then she would have hated me and resisted me the entire time we would be together.”

Shining paused to take a deep breathe, the stallion slumping into a seat across from the advisor. “Somehow, I managed to convince our Empress that by treating her with basic pony decency, that Ma-... my lover would be loyal to me, and by extension the Empress and Her Empire. I insinuated that by simply being nice to other ponies, zebras, and what have you, that… that…”

“That their happiness would affect their work for the Empire, and thus, would benefit the Empress in the long run,” Word Twist finished, nodding. “I suppose that’s… one way of doing things. I’m honestly more surprised you had the balls to tell our Holy Radiance that to her face.”

Shining chuckled humorlessly. “Well, I must have made an impression, ‘cause here I am,” he gestured to himself. He sighed, rubbing his temples with his forehooves. “I wish I knew what in Tartarus I’m doing, I really do.” Word Twist looked at him shrewdly.

“You love her, don’t you? Your slave.”

“She’s not a slave,” Shining shot back near instantly. “She’s… she’s stuck with me because I couldn’t let her suffer.”

Word Twist gave him a small, unguarded smile. “Sounds to me like you’re the best type of pony to be with her,” he quipped. “Respectful, honest… and loyal to a fault to your ideals.” Shining shrugged.

“What else can I do?”

“Well… you can help me help you make sure that what happened to your mare, and I don’t mean that in that particular way,” Twist clarified, “Doesn’t happen again, and that others like her, mare and stallion alike, are protected.”

“You know… we won’t be able to get rid of slavery,” Shining pointed out as he scooted closer to the table. “Most certainly not in our lifetimes.”

It was Twist’s turn to shrug. “Foal steps,” he answered. “If nothing else, we get to start planting the seeds of change in the minds of the nobility.” Shining nodded as he pulled over one of Word Twist’s volumes on criminal law. “And… you want to reform the guard too?”

“Ponies and others deserve to know that the ones who are guarding them at night can be trusted to do so, and that even we aren’t above the law,” Shining said. “We have to be the paragons we pledged ourselves to be. No exceptions.”

Twist laughed, making Shining raise an eyebrow at him. “Oh no, I’m not laughing at you. It’s just… I never expected to find an idealist in the guard, let alone one who achieves an officer’s rank. I guess what I’m trying to say, my friend, is… I’m impressed with your fortitude.”

“Thank you,” Shining said earnestly. “And I’m impressed that you would go out of your way to help a clueless colt like me.”

“The clueless are the ones who are the quickest to find the true path,” Twist quoted at him, then smirked and added, “And yes, I did just make that up. Alright.” Twist planted his hooves on the table, sitting up tall. “If we want to drastically alter the base of this empire at its moral failings, let’s get to it.”

“Agreed.” Shining opened up the book in front of him, and then at Twist. “Find legal precedents to change the laws, and… oh, access to census records,” he said. “If slaves and indentured servants are a sizable part of the population, then bringing in those numbers could help out our case, you know, impress on how much their satisfaction, or lack thereof, could hurt the Empress’ empire.”

Twist laughed. “And you said you didn’t have a clue about law.”

“I don’t,” Shining reiterated. “But I’m a Legionnaire first and foremost. In the face of adversity, adapt and overcome.”

“...that’s actually a saying?”

Shining snorted. “No, I just made that up. Sounds catchy though, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, yes it does. Now, let’s get to work.”

~~~

Shining stood in the Solar Hall, clad in his dress uniform, and standing at attention as the High Adjudicator looked over the stack of papers at hoof, Empress Daybreaker sitting at her throne and watching the proceedings with a look of professional disinterest. Along the walls, various nobles and regional governors were assembled, mumbling amongst themselves as they waited for this dalliance to begin.

You’re going to be okay, Shining told himself. It’s only a few laws, nothing TOO drastically major… you hope. Oh Faust, do not the Empress try to kill me.

After a moment, the High Adjudicator sighed, setting the papers on the table. “Alright, let’s get this part out of the way so we can let the rich rabble squabble some more. Centurion, front and center please.”

Shining stepped forward, stopping a respectful few paces away before first bowing to Daybreaker. “I have come as summoned, my Empress, and High Adjudicator,” he stated. “I am ready to discuss the proposed changes to the Imperial Law at your leisure.”

A wave of murmurs swept through the room, then ceased in an instant when Daybreaker sat up in her seat, causing every pony in the room to look up.

“We hope you impress us with your work, Centurion,” she purred, looking down at him through half-lidded eyes. “We expect great things from you.”

“I understand, my Empress,” Shining responded. He looked to the High Adjudicator, and nodded. “I am ready, High Adjudicator, and nobles of the court.”

“Ignore them, they’re not important,” the Adjudicator said, following her own advice as several of the upset nobles bayed at her in anger. “The only one you have to impress here is me. Thusly, I suggest you do so. Provide a summary of your proposed changes and then hoof me the documents you have written. I shall see if they pass muster or not.”

“Of course. In summary, the proposed changes contained within the volume before you affect the practices of indentured servitude, slavery, and workers within the borders of the Empire, and changes to the recruiting and conduct standards of the Legion and Royal Guard,” Shining stated clearly, ignoring the sudden gasps in the Hall. “Specifically, the proposed laws will replace or streamline the Accords of Unity in the year 326 AD, the common law instituted by the Parliament in 480 AD, and the Royal Guard Doctrine, Sections Three though Eight.”

By now the noise from the crowd was starting to get obnoxious as the various nobles and business ponies shouted over each other to be heard airing their grievances. Then Daybreaker flicked her wing and the room fell silent.

“Speak of your changes, Centurion,” Daybreaker said. “We find ourselves intrigued.”

Shining nodded. “It is a fact that this Empire uses slave labor,” Shining said, beginning to slowly pace the Hall. “Slaves who were either born into it, were captured as spoils of war by the Legions, or committed some crime that sentenced them to such a fate. All of this is fact.” Shining paused, and then continued. “These slaves, all beings who by legal definition have no rights, are the ones who grow our food, craft our tools, do the tasks that many of us here find demeaning and beneath our attention. These same beings are also ones we trust to watch over our families, and in some cases, become family in their own way.

“But, if this individual is by legal definition property, then what is the punishment for the misuse of, or the abuse, or the outright murder of these beings?” Shining asked. “By legal definition, they are property, easily replaceable, in theory. But the truth is, they are not. A slave is not like a dog you can pick up at the pound. They are thinking, sapient beings. They feel joy, they feel love, they know fear, same as we do.”

“Oh for the Empress’ sake, GET ON WITH IT!” a noble snapped irritably.

The glare sent towards the offending shouter by the rest of the room only lasted as long as it took for Daybreaker’s heatbeam to lance out across the hall and burn him away, leaving only cinders in his place.

“Interrupt again and I shall ensure the speaker’s family is placed in slavery while they are left to feed the carrion gryphons.”

Oh shit, Shining thought, refocusing on the task at hand. “Mares and Stallions of this court, My Empress,” he added, “The simple matter is, if a slave feels safe, if they feel secure in their lot in life, and they have the trust from the ones to whom they are bound to, then the Empire becomes that much more prosperous. Imagine, fields of crops where no slave drivers are needed, because the workers are glad to be of help. Or tradesponies who can trust their servants to create works of art that can grace these very walls. How envious the last remaining hold outs against our Holy Radiance’s glorious reign would be to know that even in servitude, our Empress is able to inspire even the lowliest among us to great heights!”

Shining pointed to the papers in the Adjudicator’s hooves. “Detailed are changes to how slaves and indentured servants are bought. No longer will they be crammed into carts you can’t even place an infant manticore in! If a slave or indentured servant is to be bound for their contract or for life, then they are owed, by basic pony decency, to be treated as living beings worthy of respect!” At this point, Shining was speaking loudly, his gaze sweeping over all as he almost seemed to command the floor.

The nobles were all silent, none daring to utter a single sound now that Daybreaker’s ire was raised. The Adjudicator was unfazed though, taking the papers in hoof and shuffling through them, reading at an impressive clip. “The wording all seems to be in order, no doubt due to my brother’s aid in the writing. Yes, Centurion, I do know you went to him for assistance, how could I not know? All the same, from what I can tell the idea for this came from you. My brother would never be brave enough to propose legislation of this magnitude on his own. All in all, I would say it passes muster, if only as a starting point. Now, was there anything else you wished to present to us?”

“Of course, only one other thing,” Shining told her. “Proposed changes to the Empress’ Royal Guard and Legions. Specifically, those of the Royal Guard.” Shining took a deep breath. “I will be honest, Adjudicator. I wanted to be a member of the Royal Guard as a colt. What colt doesn’t when they are young, or young filly for that matter? And yet… not too long ago, I have seen full fledged members of our Empress’ own Royal Guard fail in their duties, and not only that, but actively defy it.”

Shining looked to the Empress and bowed his head to her. “With respect to you, Your Radiance, if the populace see the Royal Guard that is entrusted with preserving your ponies from harm shirk their sacred duties, or willingly engage in the very acts they swore a binding oath to prevent… then I cannot in good conscience let this travesty stand. Not just in duty to you, but because the Royal Guard must. Be. BETTER.”

The room was hushed, and not just due to the threat of Daybreaker’s glare. The whole of the audience was staring at Shining in abject shock, bewildered at the idea of anypony, let alone an officer of the guard itself, calling into question the guards’ sanctity and value. It simply wasn’t done. And yet Daybreaker hadn’t smote him where he stood, but was instead staring down at him with an intrigued expression.

“You speak colorfully, my Centurion,” Daybreaker said, “but perhaps honestly as well. The guard are certainly capable in protecting my lands from foreign foes, but perhaps we have let them become lenient on their drive to serve my ponies as effectively as they should be. Tell us your proposals of how they can improve. We shall listen intently.”

“To start, all recruits will be judged by merit, with station playing no part in the selection process,” Shining answered immediately. A noble pony opened their mouth to speak out, but quickly snapped their jaw shut to preserve their own hide. “Recruits to the Royal Guard must understand that, beyond loyalty to you, My Empress, that their duty is to the safety and freedom of all ponies within your borders. That they too, are not above the laws they enforce. That at all times, a Royal Guard MUST be an example of how to serve the citizens of the Empire, but to you as well.”

Shining chuckled. “I myself will admit that I am far, far from being a model example of a Royal Guard recruit under these changes, Holy Radiance, but-.” Shining was cut off as Daybreaker held up a hoof. Wisely, he shut up and stood at attention.

“You do not give yourself enough credit, my dear Centurion,” Daybreaker said with an air of finality. “You are among the most capable, and more importantly balanced, officers in my employ, and the only reason you have not yet risen higher in the ranks is my wish to ensure you are capable of commanding from such a position. Were the only criteria merit, you would be General of My Army.”

Shining forced himself not to gulp in shock. “My Empress, merit or not, if that is your will, then it is only my duty to execute your will to the full extent of my abilities, or to die trying in service to you,” he stated. “As it stands, I am aware of my personal limits as an officer to know that I would not be a good general to you as I am now. That said, my duty is to serve you, regardless of my faults.”

Daybreaker smiled, closer to genuine happiness than many had seen from her in a long time. “And that is why you are my favorite, my dear Centurion. I look forward to our future years together. Now… proceed.”

The Adjudicator sighed, straightening out the papers before setting them down. “The proposals are sound, the details up for debate at a later time. I suppose you pass, Centurion, even if you cheated somewhat by obtaining outside help. Still, you proved you have the ability to think for yourself on such things, which is the important part of this test anyway. Next time you won’t be given such a nice little loophole to use though, so keep that in mind.”

“Understood, High Adjudicator,” Shining stated. “Will that be all, ma’am?”

“For the time being, Centurion,” the Adjudicator replied. “If it pleases the Empress, then you are dismissed.” A subtle nod from Daybreaker clued him to her reply, and he bowed low to them.

“Thank you then for your time then, My Empress, and to you as well High Adjudicator.” Shining stopped and trotted out of the Solar Hall, leaving the council of nobles and business ponies alone with Daybreaker and the High Adjudicator. The air was tense as no one wanted to say something that would trigger a gush of flame being sent in their direction.

The moment the door closed, Daybreaker languidly stretched on her throne, relaxing on it as the temperature seemed to rise a few degrees. “Now,” she said after a few moments, grinning at the nervous expressions of the nobles in attendance, “Does any pony have questions on these proposals? Anypony at all?”

“Well Your Radiance, I can start by asking where in Tartarus we’re going to be able to afford these changes!” a mare dressed in highly fashionable garb complained, waving her hoof in the air. “Most of the peasants in my region can barely pay for anything after the taxes I put on them, taxing them for this simply won’t lead your empire anywhere!”

“Then I suppose you will have to pay for them,” Daybreaker shot back instantly, delighting at the mare’s horrified look. “Now, listen, and listen well! Each of you rules some part of this empire, and I let you have some degree of freedom in how you rule. But remember… I am the one who has given that position! And I am more than capable of taking it away! You may decide on the finer points of these laws, but they WILL be passed!”

The Alicorn monarch looked over to the High Adjudicator. “This meeting is adjourned, you may discuss these laws at your leisure, but get them finished!”

“As you will, My Empress,” the Adjudicator said with a bow as Daybreaker departed from the hall. The Alicorn exited, golden doors shutting behind her just in time for her to teleport to her quarters and magically throw off her regalia, sighing in relief as she jumped onto her bed and sprawled herself on the covers.

“Oho, my Centurion is a crafty one!” Daybreaker chattered to herself. “The Adjudicator wouldn’t give him an advisor when he asked for one from her, and yet, he still has the sense to hire one! Oooh, what a clever one to twist her words like that!”

A moment later, and Daybreaker suddenly stiffened, her eyes narrowed. “Show yourself,” she commanded. From out of what few shadows existed in the room, a dark plum colored mare in almost black armor stepped out, bowing her head down in the Empress’ presence.

“Holy Radiance, I have returned,” she reported, even as Daybreaker stood up. “The Crown Prince of the Deer continues to elude us, but I have struck down one of the deer next in line for the throne should the Prince fall.”

Daybreaker smiled, walking over to the smaller mare and bringing her into a close embrace. “Oh now, now, my little shadow, there’s no need for business here,” the Empress told her. “You’ve only just returned, rest, take off your armor, please, take some time to feel like a mare!”

The mare was hesitant, but slowly went to remove her armor by hoof; enchanted plates of armor falling to the floor soon enough as she sighed, twisting her torso side to side. “Thank you, My Empress, for allowing me this,” she said, only for Daybreaker to float a bottle over to her.

“Tempest, relax young mare,” Daybreaker chided gently. “You are free to be yourself here.”

Tempest gulped, just as her stomach rumbled. “In that case, please, bring a cake up here, I’m ready to kill for a decent fucking cake!” she exclaimed, making Daybreaker laugh aloud.

“Well my dear, you have certainly done that!” Daybreaker commented, flaring her broad wings out with a smile. “Now come, come, sit down and tell me everything, my sweet little shadow!” Tempest smiled and followed her Empress to her bed and lay down beside her. Next to her, the much larger Alicorn began to listen to the mare’s tales of her exploits and worries, plans forming behind the thin smile on her face.

~~~

The sun was dimming outside, not that Shining or Mahiri could see it as they lay together in their room. Mahiri had her back to the stallion, her breathing steady as he held her close to him, cheeks touching tenderly. “Shining… you didn’t have to do what you did,” she murmured.

Shining chuffed. “Nonsense. I’m allowed to protect my homeland, and be selfish at the same time,” he said. Mahiri giggled, shuffling closer against him. “Besides, I’d do it all again if it shuts up some of the more idiotic nobles.” His lover chuckled even more as she snuggled closer.

“Still… in two weeks, you’ve managed to impress your Empress enough to be a bit more… lenient on those in my position,” she told him. “Countless won’t know you, but… I’m sure that they will thank you all the same.”

“Credit should go to you.” Shining kissed her, rubbing her firm belly. “If I hadn’t met you, then none of this would have happened.” Mahiri smiled.

“Oh? So, no desire to please your beloved Empress, but rather, love to a mare you were forced to enslave?”

“Love to a mare who deserves it, and so much more,” he affirmed. “Now, let’s get some sleep love. Tomorrow is a new day after all.”

“Of course.” Mahiri closed her eyes and sighed. “Usiku mwema mpenzi wangu.”

“Na kwako, moyo wangu,” Shining murmured back. The pair settled themselves on the bed, and let sleep take them, dreams of a hopeful future hanging in the air.

Author's Note

Holy crap, this took forever to do. But still, I want to thank LanceOmnicron, Corona Blaze, and Blazing Phoenix for their assistance in getting this chapter done! Anyhoo, read and review to your heart's content folks!