John Sampson Returns Chapter Twelve

“Zero four hundred, rise and shine.”

I think Sam just enjoys saying it that way. There is a benefit to being on top, I make to the hallway toilet first so I get to the tea first.

Curiosity is working on Sam, “Are you Ponies taking turns being on the bottom or something?”

I’m tempted, but, “Yes, but not that way. We are taking turns having our wings preened and the preenee falls asleep so we just cover her and go to sleep ourselves.”

Sam is envious, “That sounds damned nice. Can I get in some night?”

This is not what I want to hear so I ask Sam, “Are you not grooming with Luna? If you say ‘no’, I’m going to give you some incentive.”

Sam is scared now, “But. . But. . What do you mean?” with flat ears and nervous legs.

“Sam, I have groomed Luna many times, including in dreams. The last time was the day before you joined her. Your job description includes keeping her happy so quit being bashful,” I explain.

Sam is still confused, “But what does that have to do with grooming me?”

I shake my head, “Sam, you have joined the Royal Herd as a junior stallion assigned to Luna. You are charged with keeping her happy including filling her social needs. If you fail, you and I are going to the exercise field.”

Galinda had walked in about three sentences ago, “Can I watch? Please?”

“If you ask nicely, I may even let you help,” I promise.

Sam is bright red and sputtering on top of his previous confusion.

“Sam, I’m herd stallion. This is part of my job, making sure the junior stallions do their jobs. If Luna isn’t grooming you daily, you aren’t doing your job. You’ve just heard the incentive, now for the instruction. Don’t ask, just groom Luna until she falls asleep. Position yourself so she can groom you at the same time. She will and she will hum with happiness. That is your goal, to make her hum with happiness. If you need more instruction, ask. Now go do it.”

“Yes, Sir,” and Sam is off at speed to take care of Luna.

I hear giggling behind me. It’s Smooth. “Keep laughing. We are going to get an alarm clock so you can get up and make the tea and not rob Luna of Sam’s time,” I inform her.

We complete our first stage caffeine infusion and acquire breakfast. When we return, I do my morning duty then begin a second stage infusion while I study the supplicant list for today. Everything looks simple and straightforward, except . . . there is an item marked ‘emergency’ near the bottom. It involves a Griffon and a Funeral Director.

“Smooth, I want this one first after lunch. Make sure the supplicants are notified,” I direct.

I don my regalia and we walk slowly to the big chair. Smooth catches up just in time for me to nod to the door Ponies. It’s a normal morning other than that nagging question in the back of my mind, how could a Griffon possibly show up in Canterlot looking for a funeral? Lunch comes without an answer.

“Galinda, one of the next supplicants will be a Griffon. I have no idea of why he is here other than it’s a dispute over a funeral,” I warn.

Galinda looks worried but says nothing so we finish lunch, hit the toilet, and head back to the Throne Room. I nod and the doors open. A very old Griffon struts in with a noticeable limp followed by a classic Funeral Director Pony. I hear a sharp catch in Galinda’s breath.

The Griffon announces, “I am Grandell, King of the Griffons.”

“STOP. You will speak when addressed by me and at no other time,” I cut him off. Looking pointedly at Galinda, “Well?”

With her head lowered, “He is Grandell, my grandfather and former King of the Griffons, banished by my father King Granger many years ago.”

Quietly, “Thank you.” Facing the Court again, “King Grandell, what brings you to My Court today?”

He takes a deep breath, “Your Majesty, I have heard of your alliance with the Griffons of Griffonstone and I see evidence of it right beside you. I came to Canterlot hoping to find honor and a proper funeral for a Griffon. Everywhere else I have been, the proprieties are unknown. I made a contract with this Pony who assured me of proper honors. I gave him my sword to be used in the funeral with the understanding that he could keep it afterwards as payment for services. When I showed up for the funeral he refused me honor. I want my sword back and I pray that you grant me honor.”

My turn for a deep breath, “King Grandell, be assured that no matter what else happens here, I will grant you honor and guarantee a proper funeral. My Good Pony, step forward and state your case.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m Eternal Dreams, Owner and Director of Canterlot’s Best Funeral Services. This Griffon came to me without money or insurance but I felt sorry for him and agreed to provide him with a service in exchange for his sword. He scheduled the service then showed up alive and announced that I had to kill him. I can’t make customers, I could be tried for murder. Because I provided a complete service even though he wasn’t ready for it, I’m owed my usual charges and should keep the agreed payment.”

This may be easy, “Eternal Dreams, did you agree to provide him proper honors?”

Looking puzzled, he answers, “Of course, Your Majesty. That’s our very reason for existing.”

Extra deep breath, “Eternal Dreams, he is a Griffon and a blooded warrior. For him, ‘proper honors’ includes a warrior’s death, specifically a sword through the heart. You agreed to provide that. Return his sword and anything else given to you in payment. I suggest that you accompany us tomorrow and witness a Griffon funeral so you will be better prepared for the next Griffon that shows up in your establishment.

“King Grandell, can you be at the Castle main gate tomorrow morning at five AM?”

King Grandell answers, “Yes, Your Majesty”

I order, “King Grandell will meet Prince John and party at the main gate of Canterlot Castle by zero five hundred hours tomorrow with his sword and anything else he needs for his funeral. We will teleport to Lonely Crag where I will give him honor and a Royal funeral with the raising of the sun. Let it be so recorded and done.”

The rest of the day is boring but necessary. Finally, my Ponies are satisfied and we can relax, kinda.

Back in the kitchen, “Don’t worry about dinner for me and Galinda. We are going to eat in Griffonstone tonight. I’m not sure when we will return but we will leave straight off the balcony after lowering.”

We have forty five minutes to wait so Galinda can’t not snack. I guess it’s better than surprising Granger with her current appetite.

Then it’s time and I do my daily without incident. Galinda and I launch and I teleport us to the sky over Griffonstone. We land in front of the castle and walk in the front door.

“Hello my good Griffons,” I announce us.

Granger is at the head of the table, “Hello, John, and who is that you have with you?”

“Granger, you had better be careful. Her horn is going to erupt any day now. You could end up wearing your tea.”

Gerald is staring at us, “John, you have to understand, you left here with my little sister and returned with a Griffon goddess. It’s not just the size. From just walking in the door, I can see the difference in the way she moves and stands. She’s still my sister but everything ‘little’ is gone.”

Galinda is standing there beaming so I ask, “May we join you. We have things to discuss.”

Granger declares, “John, I’ve told you before, this is your home and you don’t need to ask.”

Seriously, I say, “This is an official visit. But that can wait until after dinner.”

Galinda blazes through a full platter and half of mine.

Granger chuckles, “Yes, I’m glad you’re responsible for feeding her. Now, what is the official business?”

I explain, “A very old Griffon turned up in my Court today, party to a dispute with a funeral director. He had contracted for a Griffon funeral with honor and the Pony in charge didn’t understand what that meant. I have promised him honor and a proper funeral in the morning. I would like to do it on Lonely Crag.”

A very unhappy Granger looks at me and says one word, “Grandell.”

I nod, “Yes. And Granger, he’s in bad shape. He can just barely walk much less fly. It’s time for mercy. All you have to do is look the other way but I want you to know so that you can attend if you desire.”

Granger’s face is covering a full range of emotions and back again, “John, I honestly don’t know if I’m mad at you for interfering or grateful that you’ve relieved me of a burden. I may not ever know.”

“I understand. As long as you understand that my nature requires me to give mercy when asked. So unless you specifically forbid me, I will be on Lonely Crag with Grandell and witnesses shortly after five AM tomorrow morning. I will give him honor and a Royal funeral then I will leave.”

Granger looks haggard now, “Do you know how he turned up in Canterlot?”

“Apparently he heard about Gregory and came looking for the same. From what he said in Court, he has been looking for a funeral for some time now,” I explain.

Granger nods, “That makes sense. Very well, John. I will be there in the morning but I can’t promise that I won’t kill him myself.”

I sympathize, “Granger, in the few minutes he was in Court, I got a feel for your problem. But there are advantages to being a wizard. I can stop a charging Dragon with a word. Tell me what you want, and it will happen just that way.”

Granger considers for a minute, “I want all of us put out of his misery. Nothing more.”

“Then so shall it be,” I promise. “Thank you for the dinner and we will see you in the morning.”

Galinda and I walk out of the door and I teleport us to right in front of the main gate in Canterlot. We walk in with bows and salutes. Up the hall and around the corner, we go through my private office and into our quarters. Smooth is in the kitchen snacking. Galinda immediately joins her.

Chuckling, “Galinda, don’t get too full. You know it’s your turn tonight,” as I take a couple of bites myself.

“Oh, I had forgotten that,” Galinda exclaims, “Let’s go.”

Smooth just grins and nods, so to the bedroom we go. Galinda crouches in the middle of the pad, I get right, and Smooth gets left. In less than a minute Galinda is purring loudly and, in a few more minutes, the purrs change to light snores. Smooth and I move in and cover her. In seconds, we’ve joined her.

“Zero four hundred, rise and shine.” Sam is right on time.

I get to the hall toilet and Smooth gets the room toilet, Galinda just wails.

“I told you not to stuff your gut right before bedtime,” I nag.

Sam has the tea waiting and I dive right into it. In a minute Smooth and Galinda dive into theirs.

“Sam, make sure both Smooth and Galinda know how to make this tea. This is your last morning to wake us up unless there is an emergency. I can’t fault you for neglecting Luna when I’m stealing time. Did you get in any grooming yesterday?”

Sam is enthusiastic, “I never suspected. She never said anything but when I started grooming her, she just melted on me. I’m still shocked that a goddess wants to be intimate with me.”

I’m happy, “That’s what I thought was going on. Sam, Celestia told me and I’m telling you, behind the horn and titles is a perfectly ordinary Pony. The rest of the world worships us, and ‘us’ includes you, but within our herd we’re just Ponies. Treat everypony else like herdmembers and you can’t go wrong. Stretch your brain for a moment. What do you think you’re going to be doing come spring?”

Sam is disturbed, “Wha. . But. . . I. . . . How. . .”

“Sam, there’s only one of me. Do you think all these horny mares are going to wait quietly in line? You may not be able to cloud dance like I do but you have the primary qualification. Just stay out of Galinda’s way, she’ll tear you to pieces.”

A very disturbed Sam stumbles off to take care of Luna. As soon as the door is closed, Smooth and Galinda look at each other and erupt in laughter.

Galinda cackles, “John, you shouldn’t torment that poor colt like that. I wouldn’t hurt him.”

I expound, “Galinda, you are the very first Alicorn with cat parts. Being an Alicorn intensifies everything including heats. And we don’t know how much the Pony heat cycle is going to affect you. So until all of that is understood, I don’t want anypony not capable of full body regeneration around you when the heat hits.”

Galinda walks over and starts rubbing back and forth against me purring, “Oh, John, you say the nicest things.”

“Let’s get a quick snack and we have an appointment at the main gate,” I remind Galinda. “Smooth, I would appreciate you getting Court ready.”

We get in a bag each then we have to clean up and go. Grandell is waiting and, to my surprise, so is Eternal Dreams.

“King Grandell, I am going to open a portal. It will appear as a simple door in the air. The other side will be Lonely Crag in Griffonstone. I have spoken with King Granger and we are expected. I am personally guaranteeing the good behavior of all parties and will enforce my will with magic. Do we understand each other?”

King Grandell bows, “Yes Sire.”

I open the portal and step through with the others following. Gerald is there already.

Gerald asks, “Can you open a door to the castle?”

I nod, “Certainly. Main room okay?”

“Yes”

So I close the door to Canterlot and open one to Granger’s castle.

Gerald says, “I’ll be right back.” and steps through. He returns almost immediately with Granger and the oldest Griffon that I have ever seen between them. She’s in even worse shape than Grandell.

She looks up, “Grandell? Is it really you, Grandell?” as she lurches toward him.

He seems completely paralyzed, then, “Grisselda?” as they meet and embrace.

Suddenly a lot of seemingly unrelated questions click together and I understand.

Walking up to Granger, “Don’t worry. I have a way that even she won’t know.”

The expression of relief on his face is profound. Then I take Eternal Dreams off to the side.

I speak quietly, “I want you to know what you are about to see so you won’t be surprised. I am going to fight a stallion challenge with Grandell. It will end with my big sword run completely through him. He will die a very honorable warrior’s death because I deemed him worthy of challenge. I will lay him on the end of the rock and when I raise the sun, I will have it vaporize his corpse. Normally, Griffons burn with common fire but I am honoring him as a fellow monarch. Grisselda is his mate. The tradition is for her to fly into the fire so she can join him in the wind. I will lift her and let her glide in because she is way beyond flight. She will be completely vaporized too.”

I leave Eternal Dreams staring blankly into space and go over to the old couple.

“We have twenty five minutes. You two can use them any way you want.”

Grandell says, “I want to spend every second with her but I don’t think she can stand up that long. Can you help?”

“Yes I can. Grisselda, just stand still for a minute.” I make a horn touch and give her some strength. “Be very careful. I can give you the energy of youth but you still have old bones.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

I check back on Eternal Dreams and he is beginning to grasp what is happening.

“The Griffons are old and near death so they want you to give them mercy?”

“Yes. More than that, I am giving them honor too. A stallion challenge is a legitimate thing for any warrior to do. By accepting it, I am recognizing him as a worthy opponent. He will die with honor and without any Griffon violating his banishment. His mate will then be able to join him with honor.”

I wait while two old Griffons share a lifetime of triumphs and regrets, then the time is near.

I walk up to them, “Under five minutes. Grandell, you will say to me that you wish a full stallion challenge. Any Pony stallion may be challenged like that at any time. No reason is needed. It is a fight to the death with everything the other stallion owns and all his mares as the prize. When I accept the challenge, the fight is on. Both of us cannot leave here alive so I expect you to try to kill me. This way nopony will be violating any part of your banishment. What do you want done with your sword?”

He thinks for a second, “Give it to Galinda.”

“It will be done. Do you understand everything?”

“Yes, Sire,” he answers, “Thank you, Prince John, and thank you for taking care of my granddaughter.”

I walk back ten yards and turn as Granger and Gerald take up positions holding torches.

Grandell shouts, “Prince John, I wish a full stallion challenge with you.”

I shout back, “To the death then. I accept,” and I turn up my speed and call my big sword out.

There is a very brief look of surprise at the sight of my big sword then he has his out and is advancing cautiously. I have elected not to simply overpower him so we have several passes before he slips up for one second. I run my sword completely through him starting just above his breastbone. He gurgles once and goes limp so I ease him to the ground with my magic. I watch as his eyes dilate then close them with my magic. I pull my sword out, clean it, and put it away.

Lifting his body, I set it on the end of the rock. Then I float his sword in front of me and take it to Galinda.

“He asked that I give this to you,” I explain to her.

She nods and takes it. When I turn back Grisselda is laying on the rock holding Grandell’s body.

I walk over to her, “If you come stand next to me I can arrange for you to fly one last time.”

She looks up with tears, “I don’t want to fly. I want to be right here holding him so when we join the wind we will be intertwined and never separated.”

“You are very sure?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I don’t fear the pain. Pain has been my constant companion for many years.”

“There will be no pain and you are going to discover that the sun loves you.”

One minute to go. I turn my sun raiment to full bright so everypony will look away. The moon moves so I reach for the sun. As it clears the horizon a bright flash strikes the rock and there is nothing left but a little smoke. I turn my raiment off and try to calm down.

Galinda is suddenly beside me. Together we walk over to Granger.

Granger is showing tears but coping, “Thank you, John. I had given up on finding where Grandell had gone and she wasn’t going to stop waiting for him. When you wanted to bring him here, I was willing to give up anything to forgive you for violating the banishment but you arranged it perfectly. He walked here without direct assistance then challenged you as a Pony. Once he is dead, the banishment is over so the funeral is perfectly acceptable. The only thing I don’t understand is that I thought you were going to help her fly?”

“Granger, her words to me were ‘I don’t want to fly. I want to be right here holding him so when we join the wind we will be intertwined and never separated.’ I made sure her passing was painless.”

Granger embraces me, “John, I swear that as long as Griffonstone and Griffonkind exist, you will be one of us and welcome in all of our homes and councils.”

“Granger, I have already decided that our herd and flock are unified and swear that as long as our bloodlines exist, the Royal families of Equestria and Griffonstone shall be as one."

A large ripple spreads out from us across Equestria.

“John, what was that?”

“Granger, our interlocking oaths invoked one of my strongest magics. We have just altered the future of Equestria by forever binding our races together.”

Granger is staring at me, “John, do you mean that my words have just forever united Griffons with Ponies?”

“Yes. I told you you were running with the big Ponies now.”

“How can any one Pony possibly have that kind of magic?” Granger wonders.

I explain, “Celestia summoned me from all of the universes as the stallion most capable of making changes in the future of Ponies because Ponies were in decline. Be assured that while the changes I make are not always ideal for a given individual, the trend will always be toward a healthier, more prosperous whole.”

Granger nods, “Now I know why they call you a god.”

“I so wish. I don’t even know whose tool I am but as long as that trend toward more happy healthy citizens holds, I’m a willing tool. Right now I have to get back to Canterlot and a day of Court. You can come watch if you want.”

“No thanks. I have some explaining to do right here.”

Eternal Dreams has been watching my exchange with Granger with total bewilderment.

Addressing Eternal Dreams, “Come on.”

He just stands there.

I make it plain, “Keep up or walk home.”

That gets him moving. Now all I need is Galinda. She’s talking with Gerald.

“Come on, Galinda, we’ve got a Court to sit through.”

I open a portal to the main gate of the Castle and Eternal Dreams runs through to disappear down the road at a high rate of speed. Galinda and I are laughing so hard it’s difficult to walk.

Galinda chuckles out, “I think you scared him, John.”

“He just got a close look at his god doing god things in a very ungodlike way.”

The hall is full but we manage to slip in the office door without being noticed. Smooth is waiting.

She fills me in, “It’s another easy day. We may even get finished early.”

“Good. I deserve something easy after this morning.”

Smooth is sympathetic, “That bad?”

I illustrate, “Our intrepid Funeral Director was last seen running as fast as his little hooves could carry him away from the Castle down the main road.”

Smooth chuckles, “Don’t tell me you’ve added to the monster stallion mystique.”

I reveal, “Worse, he got to see how his god runs his world. There’s going to be some wild stories circulating for a while.”

We collect Galinda from the kitchen and I dress up. On the Throne, I give the nod and another day of many very small crises is under way. By lunch I’m almost ready to run screaming down the road myself but I tough it out. Galinda is first to the kitchen and has a good start on her first platter by the time I get there.

I turn to Smooth, “Something is coming. That appetite means her body is storing energy for a transition soon to come. Be ready to duck.”

Smooth has other questions, “What did you do that shook your witness so bad?”

“Well, let’s see. Grandell had a mate and she insisted on holding him as he was cremated. Then, while Granger was thanking me figuring out how to do it with honor and without violating any of his edicts, he swore an oath to link me and his flock. I accepted his oath and added one to link the Royal Herd to his bloodline and that invoked a major Oath magic. He got hear my explanation to Granger so he knows that Ponies and Griffons are now permanently linked into a Greater Equestria and all because I killed a pair of old Griffons as a favor to their colt.”

Smooth is thoughtful, “You’re right, that’s going to make for a lot of wild stories. Maybe it’ll give the visiting spies something to do. On the bright side, we’ve only got five more to hear and this day is over.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” my mood is much improved.

The rest of lunch is normal other than the amazing amount that Galinda is putting away. We hear our last five cases and I have my errands to run starting with the Royal Jeweler.

He’s waiting for me and picks up Smooth’s breastplate as soon as I walk in the door. It looks good. The Pony and Griffon have swapped sides and there is a moon lightly etched over the Pony. The Pony looks more like a Pony and so does the Griffon. Otherwise it’s a perfect match.

“I like that. You’ve captured my concept well.”

“I have the silk ready too,” as he shows me how it attaches and adjusts, “And I have several colors to choose from.”

“Can you do the same for the other one?” I ask.

“I already have. If you like it, all I have to do is finish clean and polish then spell it to repel tarnish and dirt.”

“Spell both. When can I pick them up? And I’ll try not to have an emergency this time,” I joke.

“You can pick both up with four silks each in about an hour. And I’m honestly surprised you have so few emergencies.”

I thank him and head back to my quarters. When I get there, I tell one of the door Ponies to fetch the Royal Tailor. Smooth is in the office building up a filing system for supplicants. I gather her up and go looking for Galinda. Yep, she’s in the kitchen.

“The Royal Tailor is on the way. We are going to get you two set up with a formal wardrobe in both guard uniform and personal. I think we’re closing in on full growth so now’s the time,” I clarify.

The Tailor arrives and I explain, “They are still growing but not for much longer. In fact, I’m glad you’re a Unicorn because Galinda is going to erupt a horn any minute now. What I need is formal wear for the upcoming ceremonies in both Guard full dress and Princess formal. We don’t need a lot fitted because they will change some yet, but capes, collars, and such we can go full out on. Assume unlimited jewelry is available.”

“No problem, Your Majesty. I had been wondering why you were waiting for this. Now I understand. By the way, there is a story going around that you have a warehouse full of jewels somewhere. Are you confirming that?” he gossips.

Laughing, I answer, “Actually, it’s one large room but it is stacked from floor to ceiling. We brought back the pick of five Dragon hoards.”

“That’s even better than the stories. You killed five Dragons!”

“No, we killed four and intimidated the Lord of Dragons into co-operating. He’s not the brightest candle in the chandelier but he knew what his odds of survival were if he didn’t.”

“Oh, Your Majesty. I need to come here more often. This story alone is worth weeks of work,” he gushes.

“I’m going to see Twilight if anypony needs me. You two be good while I’m gone.” And I duck out before Galinda can take aim.

Walking into Twilight’s Tower, “Anypony home?”

“Up here.” from Spike.

When I get to the library, I find Twilight buried in paper.

“I see that the planning for the big event is going well,” I tease, “Why don’t you take a short break for some news.”

Twilight glares at me, “It had better be good news.”

“It might be. Galinda will have a horn any minute now. She’s eating twelve full meals a day so something big is coming. I may need help when it happens.”

Twilight looks confused, “I’m not sure what you think I can do that you can’t.”

“Help me hold her down? We had a Griffon supplicant yesterday. This morning I took him to Griffonstone and gave him and his mate a Royal funeral.”

Now she’s suspicious, “Why do I think there is more to the story?”

“Well, I had to defeat him in a stallion challenge before the funeral and his mate wanted to hold him as he burned. Even more exciting, they were Galinda’s grandsire and granddam.”

She’s made it to resigned, “Of course she went along.”

“Yes and so did the Funeral Director that was the other supplicant. Granger and Gerald attended too.”

She’s curious, “How did the other supplicant take it?”

“He was disturbed but the funeral wasn’t what freaked him out. That was afterwards when Granger was so grateful that we swore interlocking Oaths to forever link Ponies and Griffons.”

“So that’s what that was!” Twilight exclaims.

“Yep, and it’s sure to be a hot topic when all the visitors arrive. Speaking of parties, do you have any use for jewels? I have a sudden surplus.”

Twilight laughs, “What a silly question. You know that diamonds are a mare’s second favorite thing.”

“Well, why don’t you come with me right now. I have to pick up some ornaments for Galinda and Smooth. We can order some for you while we are there.”

“That is just too much to pass up,” Twilight accepts.

Spike decides that it is too much temptation for him so Twilight and I set out for the Royal Jeweler. He is expecting me but not Twilight.

I have to stir the pot, “Surely you didn’t think that I could give diamonds to just two of my mares and expect to live?”

He brings out both breastplates and I hear a sharp intake of breath beside me, “John. You had two diamonds like that and you didn’t tell me?”

The jeweler beat me to it, “Your Majesty, he brought me four more.”

I add, “And you are here to design your piece.”

Twilight doesn’t even blink, “Same size and shape with the same jewels except for the entire Royal Herd across the bottom with John left and me right then Luna inside from John and Cadance inside from me and Galinda, Sam, and Smooth in the middle. Make four of them.”

I can’t keep the grin down and when Twilight looks up and sees it, “You wanted me to do that, didn’t you!”

Still grinning, “And I have enough in reserve to give Granger and flock matching breastplates.”

Twilight grabs my head with her magic and pulls me into whole tongue near orgasm kiss.

Turning me loose, “That is the John I love.”

Turning back to the jeweler, “Can I take these now? And when can you have three blanks for me.”

He replies, “You can but it would be simpler to pick them up with the blanks first thing tomorrow morning, Your Majesty.”

I like that, “Yes it would. Thank you very much.”

As we walk back to our quarters, “Twilight, what do you have planned for a reception?”

“An informal mix and buffet.”

I nod, “I like that. I’m waiting for Spike to make a decision. If he gives me permission, I am considering serving Dragon tail for the meat eaters.”

Twilight is thoughtful, “He’s asked me about it and I’ve told him that it’s his decision to make. It may offend the Deer but I can’t see forcing the Griffons and Hippogriffs to be vegetarian. It will certainly make a statement of strength.”

“Okay. Just leave room. And here’s mine. I want to be in your bed so bad but I can’t leave my apprentices unattended for at least a couple of weeks. You could join us?”

We rub cheeks and caress each other with magic but it can’t last forever.

“I could join you but nothing would get done. We have the time. Just think of how sweet life will be when we can relax together.”

With that she leaves me at my door. Going in, I look for Galinda and find her and Smooth in the kitchen. I can’t wait until this is over.

She greets me with enthusiasm, “Hey, John, we’re running low on meat again.”

This is clearly a magic phenomena of some kind because there just isn’t enough room inside that lithe feline body to hide all of the meat she is consuming. So I refill both lockers, again. After a short wait, I hit the balcony and do my nightly duty then return to the kitchen.

With heartfelt sarcasm, “If you two can drag yourself away from the dinner table, I’m going to bed. Grooming is included.”

It’s my turn so I spread wing and settle in for some serious relaxation.